Graphic Design Programs

Graphic Design is the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, especially to produce a specific effect.

The College considers students for admission to degree and certificate programs on the basis of future potential, the motivation and interest to succeed in a chosen profession, and past academic achievement.

Graduation from high school or the equivalent is a basic requirement for admission to degree and certificate programs. In evaluating candidates, the Committee on Admissions takes into consideration your individual interests, your motivation to succeed in a chosen profession, and prior academic achievement. Basic requirements for admission include graduation from an accredited high school or equivalent and an entrance exam or SAT/ACT scores. Applicants to some programs offered within the School of Health Studies may have additional requirements, including successful completion of the HESI® Admission Assessment (A2) with Critical Thinking entrance examination. Documentation of successful completion of high school or the equivalent must be submitted to the College prior to starting classes.

A personal interview is strongly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Director of Admissions at the campus of their choice to arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Associate. For further information, students may also call the College at 866-317-6087 or email info@BerkeleyCollege.edu.

No experience or portfolio are required, only passion and dedication.

Berkeley maintains a rolling admissions policy, so students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Applicants will be notified of a decision as soon as all credentials have been evaluated. Certain programs may have specific application deadline requirements. 

For further questions about the enrollment process, schedule an appointment with an associate.

Graphic design is all around us, from the products that we buy to the publications that we read, there are thousands of media messages that we see each day. Almost every business and organization depend on the work of graphic designers. If you have a flare and passion for design, and the desire for an outstanding education that can help prepare you for a career in graphic design, we invite you to learn more about our program at Berkeley College.

To prepare for careers in this exciting field, Berkeley College offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program that combines intense creative training with a solid business education. Here are some of the benefits:

• A program that provides a strong foundation in the practice of graphic design as a fine art
• Hands-on learning that emphasizes skills required by employers
• Proficiency in industry technology, including current computer graphic software
• You may have the opportunity to participate in an internship or job-related assignment for a valuable learning experience

The Graphic Design program at Berkeley College is both innovative to give you more career options…and thorough to help you stand out in the job market.

Along with the history of graphic design and a strong foundation in art and design principles, the curriculum exposes students to the problem-solving process using a broad range of traditional, digital, and emerging media. Critical thinking, conceptual problem solving, and creativity are emphasized as students learn about:

• Web design
• User interface and interactive design
• Motion graphics and animation
• Digital photography and imaging
• Illustration
• Filmmaking
• Game design
• Packaging
• Advertising
• Publication design
• Typographic design
• And more

No.

The Graphic Design Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program (BFA) is offered by Berkeley College New Jersey and Berkeley College New York. The Graphic Design BFA courses are offered at the Woodland Park, NJ campus (Fall start only) and Online (Fall and Winter start only) as identified in the Course Schedule for each semester. Beginning in Fall 2025, the Graphic Design BFA program courses will also be offered at the New York City campus.

Instructors are chosen for both academic excellence and relevant professional experience. They share firsthand occupational knowledge that can help prepare students to enter the job market. Portfolios and capstone projects are completed prior to graduation. You may also have an opportunity to participate in an internship where you can apply what you’ve learned. Students will work closely with the Career Services Department to secure future employment.

Students have the opportunity to exhibit their work in the Gallery at Woodland Park and contribute to the department website. Students may also participate in field trips, attend guest lectures and opening receptions, and network with members of the professional design, art, and film community.

A Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design can lead to many of the following careers:

• Art Director
• Creative Director
• Drafter (Architecture and Engineering)
• Film and Video Editor
• Graphic Designer
• Industrial/Product Designer
• Marketing Manager
• Multimedia Artist/Animator
• Technical Writer
• Web Designer
• And more

The first online cohort will start in the fall 2021 semester. Online students can start in the fall and winter semesters. Students cannot start online in the spring semester.

Yes.

The learning outcomes for the students in the online programs are the same as for those in the on-site program.

Small classes allow for individual attention and guidance. Virtual guidance is provided in the online classes.

Online students need to be very proactive and self-motivated. The online Graphic Design program is rigorous and demands hours of project work outside of the online interaction environment.

Constant interaction with the faculty through emails, zooms and chats, and discussion boards are fundamental to improve and achieve the expected results. Time management is a very important skill for online students.

The Graphic Design courses in the online BFA degree program follow the same standards and rigor as the courses in the on-site BFA degree program. The expectations for our students, whether online or on-site, are the same.

Computer - Mac Recommendations

• https://www.apple.com/shop/buy-mac/macbook-pro/16-inch
• https://www.apple.com/imac/

Mac Operating System

• macOS 10.15: Catalina (Jazz) - 7 October 2019
• macOS 11: Big Sur - currently in beta (autumn release)

Mac System Requirements

• 2.0GHz quad-core 10th-generation Intel Core i5 processor
• Turbo Boost up to 3.8GHz
• Intel Iris Plus Graphics
• 16GB 3733MHz LPDDR4X memory
• 512GB SSD storage
• Upgrades can include additional memory and/or an updated graphic card.

Computer - PC Recommendations

PC Operating System

• Windows 10 (64-bit only) and later

PC System Requirements

• NVIDIA® or AMD Graphics Card
• 10th Generation Intel® Core™ i7 processor or greater
• 16 GB memory or greater; 512 GB SSD storage; 32 GB Intel® Optane Memory for storage
• Upgrades can include additional memory and/or an updated graphic card.

Note: This program is not compatible with a Chromebook or an iPad Tablet.

• Adobe Suite (US$19.99/month for the first year, then US$29.99/month for subsequent years)
• Maya, Unity 3D (free for students)