Program Details
Art: Graphic Design (BA)
Bachelor of ArtsEmory & Henry University
Objective: To acquaint students who wish to enter a design field with the necessary foundations in the visual arts and to provide preparation for employment in illustration, photography, and computer image-processing.
Program Overview & Guidance

Program Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Considerations for Selecting Degree | This is an art degree with a heavy concentration of digital design and digital art. Most studio classes in the program are scheduled face-to-face during the afternoons between 1:30 and 8 pm. |
Considerations When Selecting Courses |
2D Design, Drawing, Painting are program prerequisites
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Program Requirements Beyond Specific Courses | The College's general education program has an international studies requirement; the student has the option of completing this abroad in a number of ways. If the student is unable to study abroad, the curriculum has a number of courses that substitute on-campus without studying abroad. The internship is optional in the program but strongly recommended. The internship requires students to provide their own transportation. The College has fully functioning updated computers with all design software necessary to complete the coursework and prepare for future employment in the design field. |
Doing More With Your Degree | We recommend an interdisciplinary combination of art-graphic design + a visual communications minor in the media/ communications program. Some students also pursue a minor in business/marketing. Our graduates have worked in design at numerous advertising agencies, non-profits, museums, television stations, healthcare systems, and many work as independent designers. It is important to understand that Emory & Henry College's programs are strongly rooted in the liberal arts, providing an education that is adaptable for a future where career changes are to be expected. Many of our graphic design students rise to management-level positions in marketing. |
Program Successes & Highlights | We are most proud of our art students who are the creative force on campus.The adventurous individuals are awarded a solo exhibition in one of the college's student gallery. At the conclusion of each academic year, all graduating seniors are honored with a group exhibition in the Gallery at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts. Emory & Henry's art program has excellent facilities in design, painting, ceramics, printmaking, drawing, photography and digital art. Our experienced professors all hold their terminal degrees and they all actively practice and professionally exhibit their work throughout the United States. Most importantly, our faculty members are dedicated teachers committed to the success of their students. We are DEIB committed. The Art Department works in collaboration with William King Museum of Art (A nationally accredited museum in nearby Abingdon, Virginia) providing additional internships, workshops, shadowing experiences with artists, and programs. The College's gallery at the McGlothlin Center for the Arts provides programming that includes a number of nationally recognized visiting artists each year. These artists interact with our students in class workshops, gallery installations, and informally at meals. Many of our students are employed in this gallery, which provided real world experience in gallery management. The Art department is home to the college's longest running study abroad program to Italy where students travel to Rome, Pompeii, Siena, and Florence to study art history in at the physical presence of many of the world's art masterworks. |
Program Credit Requirements

The table below provides the requirements to complete this program if you are not following a Transfer Guide. If you have an account and have created a Portfolio, the table includes the "Applied Credits" column. This column shows how the credits you earned based on the experiences you entered may be applied to satisfy these requirements. You can find schools where you can take courses that will transfer and apply to this degree using the Where Can I Find An Equivalent Course feature in the Transfer Tools menu.
A formal determination of credits awarded for your prior learning and their applicability to the degree requirements can only be made by the institution. The formal determination and resulting map may reflect higher or lower number of credits to be completed to achieve this program.
Applicable Admissions Agreements

The table below lists admissions agreements between Emory & Henry University and partner institutions that may guarantee admission to this program if you meet the required criteria. Click on the title name of the agreement to view a summary of those criteria.
Institution Name | Type | Title |
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Virginia Highlands Community College | GAA | Guaranteed Admission Agreement |
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Completion of the Uniform Certificate of General Studies or an AA/AS degree program will guarantee completion of the 'Think,
Understand & Create' liberal arts core component of the E&H undergraduate curriculum but may not fulfill specific departmental requirements or prerequisites needed for the major. Other elements of the core curriculum may need to be met if not taken as part of the AA/AS degree. Students will be required to complete CORE 200 and CORE 300 at E&H. Students completing at least 56 credits following high school graduation but before transferring to E&H are exempt from CORE 100, CORE 103, and Emory Abroad/Global Citizenship. |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School | Only students who have completed college credit elsewhere following high school graduation will be exempt from the Core Curriculum requirement. Completion of courses that satisfy elements of the Care & Cultural Competency and Think, Understand & Create elements of the curriculum will be awarded equivalent credit with an earned grade of C or better. Students completing the Uniform Certificate of General Studies or an AA/AS degree program concurrently with their high school diploma will not be exempt from CORE 100, CORE 103, or Emory Abroad/Global Citizenship. |
Credit for Prior Learning | Emory & Henry awards credit for AP, IB, and CLEP. Please see the credit equivalency charts to determine the needed scores for course credit. Currently, we do not award academic credit for industry or military training. |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

College Fit Guidance | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Emory & Henry University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business, Nursing and Health Sciences with more than 90 academic majors, minors and tracks. No matter what you choose to study at Emory & Henry University,you'll be challenged, supported and inspired by your faculty mentors. 10:1 Student-to-Teacher Ratio We know you want to engage. With an average class size of 14 students, you will easily be able to be involved in the discussion and have more one-on-one time with your professors. With more than 90 academic majors, minors and tracks, you will find and connect with something you are passionate about! 'Increase in Excellence,' the historic motto of Emory & Henry University, expresses our intention to be a learning community that moves toward fulfilling every student's potential. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
First Year Student Catalog Year | Catalog year determined by first semester of attendance |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | No application fee - free to apply |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level | Delivery Mode |
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Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Graphic Design: Interactive Design Specialization, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Graphic Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Visual Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts - Photo Specialization | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Interior Design, A.A.S. | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Interior Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Career Studies Certificate - Associate Designer | Associate | Career Studies Certificate | 2-Year | In-Person |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Arts - Studio Arts (Photographic Media Arts) | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Bridgewater College | Digital Media Arts Major - BA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Interior Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Brightpoint Community College | Associate of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Applied Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate of Art degree in Liberal Arts: Fine Arts Major | Associate | Associate of Art | 2-Year | In-Person, Online, Hybrid |
Northern Virginia Community College | Visual Art, A.F.A. | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid, Online |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Graphic and Media Design | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Peninsula Community College | Associate of Fine Arts in Visual Arts | Associate | Associate of Fine Arts | 2-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Arts Degree in Fine Arts | Associate | Associate of Arts | 2-Year | In-Person, Hybrid |
Longwood University | Graphic and Animation Design BFA | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Roanoke College | Bachelor of Arts in Art | Bachelor | Bachelor of Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Graphic Design, Bachelor of Fine Arts | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | In-Person |
Regent University | BFA in Graphic Design | Bachelor | Bachelor of Fine Arts | 4-Year | Online |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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27-1019.00 | Artists and Related Workers, All Other | All artists and related workers not listed separately. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1024.00 | Graphic Designers | Design or create graphics to meet specific commercial or promotional needs, such as packaging, displays, or logos. May use a variety of mediums to achieve artistic or decorative effects. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1011.00 | Art Directors | Formulate design concepts and presentation approaches for visual productions and media, such as print, broadcasting, video, and film. Direct workers engaged in artwork or layout design. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-1121.00 | Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in drama, music, and the arts including fine and applied art, such as painting and sculpture, or design and crafts. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1014.00 | Special Effects Artists and Animators | Create special effects or animations using film, video, computers, or other electronic tools and media for use in products, such as computer games, movies, music videos, and commercials. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
25-1031.00 | Architecture Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in architecture and architectural design, such as architectural environmental design, interior architecture/design, and landscape architecture. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
27-1025.00 | Interior Designers | Plan, design, and furnish the internal space of rooms or buildings. Design interior environments or create physical layouts that are practical, aesthetic, and conducive to the intended purposes. May specialize in a particular field, style, or phase of interior design. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-1021.00 | Commercial and Industrial Designers | Design and develop manufactured products, such as cars, home appliances, and children's toys. Combine artistic talent with research on product use, marketing, and materials to create the most functional and appealing product design. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
27-4021.00 | Photographers | Photograph people, landscapes, merchandise, or other subjects. May use lighting equipment to enhance a subject's appearance. May use editing software to produce finished images and prints. Includes commercial and industrial photographers, scientific photographers, and photojournalists. | Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occ |
15-1255.01 | Video Game Designers | Design core features of video games. Specify innovative game and role-play mechanics, story lines, and character biographies. Create and maintain design documentation. Guide and collaborate with production staff to produce games as designed. | Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
15-1255.00 | Web and Digital Interface Designers | Design digital user interfaces or websites. Develop and test layouts, interfaces, functionality, and navigation menus to ensure compatibility and usability across browsers or devices. May use web framework applications as well as client-side code and processes. May evaluate web design following web and accessibility standards, and may analyze web use metrics and optimize websites for marketability and search engine ranking. May design and test interfaces that facilitate the human-computer interaction and maximize the usability of digital devices, websites, and software with a focus on aesthetics and design. May create graphics used in websites and manage website content and links. | Computer and Mathematical Occupations |
Cost To Complete
