Graphic Design AFA Degree Statewide Program
Our graphic design associate of fine arts degree offers affordable tuition, small class sizes, and faculty mentorship from leaders in the field.
The Graphic Design Associate of Fine Arts degree (AFA), the more transferable of our
graphic design degrees, is a studio intensive program that prepares students for transfer
to a four-year BFA program. Two-thirds of the total credit hours are in studio art
and graphic design courses, and one-third are in general education courses.
The curriculum includes studio art foundations courses as well as specialized study
in graphic design and typography. Courses focus on the fundamentals of visual arts
and design, and parallel the course work in the first two-years of a BFA degree at
a four-year institution. In your second year of the degree, you will focus studies
on graphic design classes and prepare for transfer to premier art colleges.
The Graphic Design AFA is a designated statewide program. The Maryland Higher Education
Commission designates some community college programs as statewide programs. A student
may enroll in any of these programs at the same rates as in-county residents if the
program is not offered by their local community college or if the student cannot enroll
due to an enrollment limit. For more information on statewide programs, please see
Curricula Informationnew window.
Enroll at MC and set your sights on a successful career in the visual arts.
Program Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Demonstrate visual problem solving capability.
- Utilize foundational skills and demonstrate competency in a range of art media and techniques.
- Apply a comprehension of art historical and contemporary concepts to the creative process.
Program Advising
Meet with your academic advisor regularly to discuss your academic plans and make sure you are on track to graduate and/or transfer. The program advising guide outlines the degree requirements and is meant to supplement the advising process.
Transfer Opportunities
MC has a long history of successfully preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions. See all transfer agreements.
Careers
For some positions listed, a bachelor's degree or higher may be required. Use the Career and Program Explorer to see a full report for this career field. See links below chart for further guidance and/or connect with a Program Advisor to discuss career goals.
Graphic designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They develop the overall layout and production design for various applications such as advertisements, brochures, magazines, and corporate reports.
- MC Student Employment Services: Speak with the Student Employment Specialist for help with resume writing, interviewing, setting up a College Central Network (CCN)new window account and other job search topics.
- Career Coach: Explore Career Coach to learn more about this career and/or discover related majors and in-demand careers based on your current interests! Take a Career Assessment and then browse careers and job opportunities in the area.
Curriculum
A suggested two-year course sequence for students in Graphic Design follows
- All students should review the advising guide and consult an advisor.
- Find out about related programs and course in the Fields of Study section.
- Most courses have either assessment levels that must be met or prerequisites (courses that must be taken first). Part-time students and those who need to meet assessment levels or take prerequisite courses will take longer to complete a degree. An advisor will help make sure you are taking your courses in the right order.
- All degree-seeking students must take a central group of General Education courses in English, mathematics, arts, behavioral and social sciences, humanities, and science. These courses are included in the suggested course sequence below.
Suggested Course Sequence
Students should complete the required English and Math foundation courses within the first 24 credit hours. All students should review the Program Advising Guide and consult an advisor.
First Semester
- ENGL 101 - Introduction to College Writing 3 semester hours
- Mathematics Foundation 3 semester hours (MATF)
- ARTT 100 - Introduction to Drawing 3 semester hours (ARTD)
- ARTT 102 - Introduction to 2D Design 3 semester hours (GEEL)
- GDES 116 - Digital Tools for the Visual Arts 4 semester hours
Second Semester
- ENGL 102 - Critical Reading, Writing, and Research 3 semester hours (ENGF)
- ARTT 205 - Figure Drawing I 3 semester hours
-
OR
- ARTT 204 - Intermediate Drawing 3 semester hours
- ARTT 200 - Art History: Ancient to 1400 3 semester hours
- ARTT 103 - Introduction to 3D Design 3 semester hours
- ARTT 201 - Art History: 1400 to Present 3 semester hours
Third Semester
- GDES 210 - Graphic Design I 3 semester hours
- GDES 220 - Typography I 3 semester hours
- ARTT 152 - Photographic Expression I 3 semester hours
-
OR
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ‡‡
- Program Elective 3 semester hours ‡
- ARTT 263 - Professional Practice for the Visual Artist 1 semester hour
- Humanities Distribution 3 semester hours (HUMD)
Fourth Semester
- GDES 211 - Graphic Design II 3 semester hours
- Behavioral and Social Sciences Distribution 3 semester hours (BSSD)
- GDES 221 - Typography II 3 semester hours
- Natural Sciences Distribution with Lab 4 semester hours (NSLD)
* ENGL 101/ENGL 101A, if needed for ENGL 102, or elective.
‡ Select one of the following craft electives: ARTT 120, ARTT 123, ARTT 245, or ARTT 247.
‡‡ Select one of the following printmaking electives: ARTT 152, ARTT 225, ARTT 226, ARTT 227, ARTT 228, ARTT 230, ARTT 233.
† Only offered in fall.
†† Only offered in spring.
Related Programs and Courses
General Studies Degree
Students who major in general studies explore personal, professional, and academic areas of interest within a flexible framework supporting transfer.
Workforce Development and Continuing Education
MC offers a wide variety of noncredit classes. These courses are designed to help you upgrade your skills, pursue career training, or learn something new.