What is an online bachelor’s degree in graphic communication?

Students can take this program online to help prepare for a career in the graphic communication industry. This graphic communication program covers topics like graphic design, visual communication, illustration, animation, digital technology, brand identity, and more. This online program helps students prepare to work in a wide range of industries, corporations, and nonprofits that use visual communication and visual content or otherwise benefit from the graphic communication field. Potential job titles include creative director, art director, web and digital interface designer, product designer, graphic designer, and visual designer.

How long does it take to get an online bachelor’s degree in graphic communication?

This 120-credit graphic communication degree program offers courses year-round. The time it will take you to complete this program will depend on several factors, including your goals, how many transfer credits you have, your course load each semester, and whether you are able to benefit from one or more of our fast paths to credit, including credit for prior learning, community college credit, and credit for military education and training.

How much does an online bachelor’s degree in graphic communication cost?

UMGC’s tuition rates are very competitive and appear at the top of this page. We offer a low in-state rate for Maryland residents and a reduced tuition rate for military servicemembers and their spouses and dependent children. We also offer scholarships for those who qualify, an interest-free monthly payment plan, and no-cost digital materials in place of most textbooks to help make your education more affordable.

What background do I need to apply for the graphic communication program?

You do not need any background in art, graphic design, visual communication, or technology to enroll in this graphic communication degree program. You can enroll in this program as long as you meet our undergraduate admission requirements.

What student organizations are available to graphic communication majors?

Graphic Designer Student Association The Graphic Designer Student Association is designed to promote awareness of design, highlight advances and opportunities in the field, and assist design students in their efforts to expand their experiences. The Graphic Designer Student Association has a virtual community where members can connect and learn of upcoming events. Join the Graphic Designer Student Association at UMGC group on Facebook.

Online Graphic Communication Bachelor's Degree

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

120 credits
Transfer up to 90 credits
All courses available online
Select hybrid courses available

TUITION RATES

$324 per credit (in-state)
$499 per credit (out-of-state)
$250 per credit (military)
Other fees may apply

Apply Now

Earn an online bachelor’s degree in graphic communication from University of Maryland Global Campus that may help you stand out in a crowded, competitive job market. Increase your marketability by developing career-relevant skills such as graphic design, innovation, and marketing. Work with our experienced faculty members whose expertise can help expand your knowledge base. Additionally, UMGC's convenient online courses allow you to earn your degree on your schedule, while our generous transfer credit policy could help you save time and money. There’s never been a better time to take that next step in your education journey. Apply today!

Create a Professional Graphic Design Portfolio

Master skills and technology to compete in today’s rapidly changing visual arts environment. Throughout this program, you'll develop an updated portfolio that’s tailor-made for your ideal clients and put your creativity to work in pursuit of a career as a graphic designer or creative director. Our curriculum is designed with input from employers, industry experts, and scholars, so you can apply the knowledge you acquire to your career right away.

Program graduates may be able to apply principles of composition, layout, color theory, and design to generate dynamic graphics, illustrations, and other pieces. Students will also gain extensive experience planning, designing, and creating interactive solutions such as motion graphics for a range of platforms.

Benefits of this degree program include:

Competitive tuition rates for Maryland residents, as well as discounts for military servicemembers and their spouses and dependents.
A generous transfer credit policy allowing up to 90 undergraduate transfer credits from various sources, including prior college coursework, military training and experience, and previously acquired knowledge.
The flexibility and convenience of online courses, virtual advising, and 24-hour technical support.
A career-focused curriculum that places an emphasis on portfolio development, professional branding, and real-life business practices.

View Graphic Communication Courses & Requirements

This program requires a total of 120 credits.

33 Required Major Credits: Review the required major courses outlined below or view the recommended course sequence to progress through this program.
41 General Education Credits: Review the options available to fulfill the 41 credits of general education coursework requirements for bachelor's degrees.
46 Minor & Elective Credits: Review a list of available academic minors or see the course catalog or Schedule of Classes to help you select elective courses.

Required Major Courses

(3 Credits, GRCO 100)
(3 Credits, ARTT 110)
(3 Credits, ARTT 120)
(3 Credits, ARTT 210)
(3 Credits, GRCO 230)
(3 Credits, GRCO 350)
(3 Credits, GRCO 354)
(3 Credits, GRCO 355)
(3 Credits, GRCO 450)
(3 Credits, GRCO 479)
(3 Credits, GRCO 495)

Search Course Catalog

These requirements are for students who enroll in the 2024–2025 academic year. For prior year requirements, visit our catalog archive.

Read the Catalog

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

In addition to the specific course requirements outlined on each bachelor’s degree webpage, UMGC maintains certain requirements for all bachelor’s degrees.

See Degree Requirements

Develop Career-Ready Expertise in Graphic Design

Develop highly valued, workplace-ready knowledge in this degree program. This program is designed to help you openly collaborate on creative concepts to generate professional visual communication and graphic design projects and meet clients’ goals. You will also hone your ability to recognize, guide, discuss and create innovative design solutions in a professional work environment.

Our program directors update the curriculum regularly, and in conjunction with our respected faculty’s knowledge and expertise, focus on helping students achieve the following:

Get Creative

Produce effective visual communications by applying principles of composition, layout, color theory, and context.

Design Solutions

Plan, design, and create interactive solutions, such as user interfaces, motion graphics, mobile applications, and web designs.

Gain Skills

Use professional, analytical, collaborative, and technical design skills to support team goals, roles, and responsibilities.

Define Strategy

Define creative campaign strategy in a business environment by combining scope, messaging, and evaluation of success.

Build Your Design Portfolio

This program is designed to help prepare you for a graphic design or communication management career in a variety of industries, including advertising, video production, product design, print media, digital marketing and content creation, and more. It is intended to provide you with a complete professional portfolio that showcases your graphic design samples, communication expertise, digital savvy, and brand identity. You'll prepare for job titles such as creative director, art director, web and digital interface designer, product engineer, and visual designer.

Jerry F., Devon, MA

22K+

Annual Job Growth

No. 1

Top Creative Job

Practice Real-World Skills in Your Graphic Communication Courses

Throughout your curriculum, your instructors will assign hands-on coursework that will help you prioritize in-demand knowledge and experience. In past courses, students have been able to complete the following course projects:

Create various company visuals including logo options, stationery, and a webpage layout; and develop a complete visual identity package for an established company.
Illustrate a collection of imagery and use data visualization to create an informative infographic that will educate, entertain, and inform a target audience.
Create visuals for social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and more, as a component of visual branding and communication design.
Pair text with motion to communicate a client’s message to their desired target audience as an effective video marketing strategy.
Explore current trends in employment opportunities to design an online portfolio that demonstrates a full scope of creative and innovative graphic design pieces.

Graphic Communication

Bachelor of Arts

Digital Design

Undergraduate Certificate

Web & Digital Design

Bachelor of Science

The reputation for UMGC in the military is absolutely amazing. They absolutely prepare you for your life after your military service.

Renetta H., Birmingham, AL BA in Graphic Communication

Online Bachelor's Degree: Graphic Communication

Graphic Communication

DEGREE AT A GLANCE

TUITION RATES

Next Session Starts

Create a Professional Graphic Design Portfolio

View Graphic Communication Courses & Requirements

Required Major Courses

Search Course Catalog

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

Develop Career-Ready Expertise in Graphic Design

Build Your Design Portfolio

Practice Real-World Skills in Your Graphic Communication Courses

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