Graphic Design Transfer Advising Guide

Transfer Advising Guides are for planning purposes only. This Advising Guide does not replace the need for regular and timely meetings with your assigned Pathway Advisor. 

Visit the Graphic Design Undergraduate Program web page for detailed program information, PSU 4-year Degree Map, and PSU offered courses. 

Transferring into the Graphic Design Program

All Graphic Design majors (including incoming transfer students) must pass a Sophomore portfolio review in order to enroll in 300 Level courses and continue progression in the program. The review happens once each year at the end of the Spring term. Additional information about the portfolio review process is available on the Graphic Design web page. 

Course Equivalencies

The following courses will transfer towards PSU requirements within the Graphic Design major. This is a shortened list for general reference. For more information on how other courses may transfer, visit Transferology, a web-based advising system. 

Notes and Benchmarks

1. ArH 2XX: any 200-level Art History Course
2. All students must pass a Sophomore portfolio review to enroll in 300-level courses and continue progression in the program. 
3. Students transferring with a lot of Art or Design credit should contact an Art Faculty advisor for credit review.
4. Due to the limited number of transfer courses available (except at PCC), we recommend students transfer to PSU as quickly as possible or do co-admission. We highly recommend students transfer in fall term for this major.
5. Students interested in transferring to PSU for Graphic Design should also take courses to satisfy the Bachelor of Fine Arts requirements (see below).

Complete a BFA

You must complete the requirements to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts, explore the requirements on the page linked below.  

Courses taken to meet BFA requirements are great options for courses to be taken at community colleges in advance of transfer! 

Other Academic Requirements

General Education Requirements

All universities have a general education curriculum included as part of the baccalaureate degree requirements. The goal of general education curricula is to ensure that all graduates have a common set of coursework aligned with the university's educational goals. 

Students have the option of University Studies or University Honors for completing their general education requirements at PSU. 

• University Studies provides students with integrated, connected learning experiences that lay the foundation for lifelong intellectual development. Extending through all four years, the program teaches you how to think critically, communicate effectively, and gain a broad awareness of the human experience to instill a deep sense of responsibility to yourself, your peers and your community
• University Honors offers courses in the theory and research methods of the human, natural, and social sciences, as well as a wide-ranging selection of intensive interdisciplinary seminars. Students have the opportunity to work closely with faculty on research projects, network and gain experience through internships, and study abroad. In their final year, Honors students research and write a baccalaureate Honors thesis. 

University Writing Requirement

Two composition courses, starting with College Writing 121Z (or equivalent)

Second Language Proficiency for Admission

Students who graduated, or would have graduated, from high school in Oregon in 1997 or later must have two years of a second language at the high school level, or two terms at the college level, to meet admission requirements, even if they choose to pursue a Bachelor of Science.

Race and Ethnic Studies Requirement

All Portland State undergraduate students must fulfill the Race and Ethnic Studies requirement (RESR) to earn their bachelor's degrees.