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Art: Graphic Design - Bachelor of Fine Arts 2022-23 Degree Map

Requirements (REQ) of a Bachelors Degree

Degree Maps show one way how you can earn a degree in four years. Talk with your advisor regularly to develop a personalized plan that works best for you, especially if you have any earned transferrable academic credit.

To graduate in four years, you need an average of 45 credits per year to reach 180 total credits, including 62 upper division (300/400 level courses) credits. You may need to take electives (courses that are not used to meet specific requirements) to reach those totals. Most courses at PSU are 4 credits each. If you transfer credit to PSU, the number of credits you need per year will vary accordingly. 

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This guide outlines the requirements in the 2022-23 catalog. Catalog year defines the specific set of requirements you need to complete a degree. Requirements occasionally change, so it may benefit you to follow a different catalog. Typically, your catalog year is the year you began at PSU, but if you are a transfer student you may be able to use an earlier catalog. Talk with your advisor about which catalog requirements make sense for you.

PSU Bulletins (2015-present) about this content

First Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5 Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5 Freshman Inquiry or Honors 5
DES 125 1 DES 111 4 DES 121 4
DES 120 4 DES 140 4 Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4
General Elective 4 General Elective 2 General Elective 2
Total Fall Credits 14 Total Winter Credits 15 Total Spring Credits 14-15

First Year Milestone: Completion of DES 120 & 121 (by end of Spring term).

Second Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
Sophomore Inquiry or Honors 4 Sophomore Inquiry or Honors 4 Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement 3-4
DES 210 4 DES 224 4 DES 225 4
DES 200 4 DES 254 4 DES 290 4
ARH 2XX 4        
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 12 Total Spring Credits 11-12

Second Year Milestone: Pass Sophomore Portfolio in order to continue in 300 level classes (by end of Spring term).

Third Year

Fall Courses Fall Credit Winter Courses Winter Credit Spring Courses Spring Credits
Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4 Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4 Upper Division Cluster or Honors 4
DES 320 4 DES 321 6 Graphic Design UD Elective 4
DES 354 4 DES 340 4 Graphic Design UD Elective 4
Graphic Design UD Elective 4 General Elective 4 General Elective 4
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 18 Total Spring Credits 16

Fourth Year

Fall Courses Fall Credits Winter Courses Winter Credits Spring Courses Spring Credits
DES 470 4 Senior Capstone or Honors Thesis 6 DES 472 6
Graphic Design UD Elective 4 DES 471 4 Graphic Design UD Elective 4
Graphic Design UD Elective 4 DES 408 2 Graphic Design UD Elective 4
General Elective 4 General Elective 4    
Total Fall Credits 16 Total Winter Credits 16 Total Spring Credits 14

 

Additional Map Notes:

  • Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement: Two courses required, each minimum 3 credits: one course must focus on the U.S. experience; the second course must center the experiences of groups under European and U.S. colonialism and imperialism beyond the United States. One must be within the School of Gender, Race and Nations or be cross-listed with one of the SGRN units: Black Studies (BSt), Chicano/Latino Studies (ChLa), Indigenous Nations Studies (NAS), or Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WS). If you choose a RESR course that can be applied towards another requirement, take an elective here instead.
  • ARH 2XX: Can take any 200-level Art History course.
  • Sophomore Inquiry or Honors: For University Studies, two Sophomore Inquiry courses are required, but for Honors, three Sophomore courses are required.
  • Graphic Design UD Elective: Choose seven 4-credit upper division(UD) elective courses in consultation with Graphic Design faculty advisor. See department Graduation Planner document for a list of options.
  • You may need to add additional general elective credits to your plan to reach 180 total credits.

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