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Visual Communication Design - B.F.A. Program Requirements PDFDownload to print

Type Legend: DD Diversity–Domestic; DG Diversity–Global; ELR Experiential Learning; KAD Kent Core Additional; KBS Kent Core Basic Sciences; KCM Kent Core Composition; KFA Kent Core Fine Arts: KHU Kent Core Humanities; KMC Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning; KSS Kent Core Social Sciences; WIC Writing Intensive

Please read the sections in the University Catalog on Kent Core, diversity, writing-intensive and the experiential learning requirements.

I. DESTINATION KENT STATE: FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE (1 credit)
Type Course Title Credits
  US 10097 Destination Kent State: First Year Experience 1
II. MAJOR PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (79 credits) Courses count in major GPA 
Type Course Title Credits
  VCD 13000 Introduction to Visual Communication Design 3
    13001 Introduction to Visual Communication Design Studio 1 3
    20009 VCD Sophomore Portfolio Review 1
    20010 Introduction to Design Research 3
    22000 Design/Illustration Techniques I 3
    22001 Design/Illustration Techniques II 3
    23001 Introduction to Typography 3
    28000 Photography 3
    32000 Illustration I 3
    33000 Graphic Design I 3
    33001 Graphic Design II 3
    34004 Visual Ethics 3
    34005 Introduction to 3-D Graphic Design 3
    34006 Motion Design 3
    40025 Professional Portfolio 2
ELR   40092 Internship I - Graphic Design/Illustration 1
ELR   40192
40053
Internship II - Graphic Design/Illustration
or Graphic Design Studio—Glyphix
3
WIC   45000 Graphic Design Perspectives 2 3
  VCD Bachelor of Fine Arts Guided Electives 30
  VCD 28002 Photography II (3)  
    32001 Illustration II (3)  
    38003 Photo Technology (3)  
    38004 Advanced Photography (3)  
    40052 Graphic Design—Travel and Field Experience (1-6)  
    40053 Graphic Design Studio—Glyphix (1-6)  
    40095 Special Topics: Graphic Design/Illustration (1-4)  
    42000 Advanced Illustration: Media (3)  
    42002 Editorial Illustration (3)  
    42003 Advertising Illustration (3)  
    43000 Studio Production (3)  
    43001 Interaction Design: Communities and Culture (3)  
    43002 Typographic/Photographic Graphic Design (3)  
    43003 Corporate Identity/Graphic Design (3)  
    43004 Issues of Graphic Design Business (3)  
    43005 Packaging, Promotion and Retail Environments (3)  
    43006 Environmental Graphic Design (3)  
    43007 Information Graphics (3)  
    43051 Type High Press (3)  
    46003 Advanced Typography (3)  
ELR   49199 Senior Capstone (3)  
III. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS (46 credits)  
Type Course Title Credits
KFA ARTH 22007 Art History: Renaissance to Modern Art 3
KAD COMM 15000 Introduction to Human Communication 3
KSS/DD JMC 20001 Media, Power and Culture 3
  LIS 30010 Information Fluency in the Workplace and Beyond 3
  Upper-division Art History (ARTH) 3
  Kent Core Composition 6-8
  Kent Core Mathematics and Critical Reasoning 3-5
  Kent Core Humanities and Fine Arts 6
  Kent Core Social Sciences (must be from two disciplines) 3
  Kent Core Basic Sciences (must include a lab) 6-7
  Kent Core Additional 3
  General Electives or Additional VCD BFA Guided Electives 3 4
MINIMUM TOTAL  126

1. A minimum grade of B- (2.700) in VCD 13001 is required for VCD 23001.
2. A minimum C (2.000) grade must be earned to fulfill the writing-intensive requirement.
3. Any VCD course taken is calculated in the major GPA. Number of credits required depends on meeting minimum 126 total credit hours and minimum 39 upper-division credit hours.

Special Requirements for All VCD Programs:

Special requirement 1:
VCD 23001 Introduction to Typography (3)
Admission to VCD 23001 requires students to receive a grade of B- (2.700) or better in VCD 13001.     

Special requirement 2:
VCD 20009 VCD Sophomore Portfolio Review (1)
VCD 20009, the review of the creative ability and technical skills of students wishing to pursue courses or a major in visual communication design will be based on the quality of a portfolio of work selected from basic courses VCD 13000, 13001, 22000, 22001, 23001, 33000 and a daylong test of technical skills and aesthetic abilities.

Special Major Note:

Students who pass 15 credits of non-remedial academic coursework each fall and spring semester and the 1-credit First Year Experience course will accumulate 121 credits in four years. This major requires 126 credits for graduation. Students can stay on track for graduation by:

  • Declaring their major as freshmen and completing all courses in sequence (bear in mind that switching majors may cause a delay in graduation);
  • Prioritizing required courses above electives;
  • Meeting regularly with their academic advisors to stay on track;
  • Passing each required course the first time attempted and maintaining the minimal GPA for the major;
  • Successfully completing more than 15 credit hours of relevant coursework (field-based work, internship) during academic semesters; and/or
  • Completing relevant coursework (field-based work, internship) during summer sessions.