certificate

Advanced Design Communication Arts

For graphic designers looking to take their skills to the next level. Receive master-level mentoring and instruction to create design solutions across a variety of outputs and mediums. Execute polished, portfolio-level projects that the design industry is clamoring for.

SEE COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

Who this is perfect for...

Graduates of the Design Communication Arts certificate who want to further refine their design skills
Professional graphic designers who want to dive deeper into special design topics

What you can learn.

Develop an advanced understanding of typography through historical context and contemporary applications
Create comprehensive portfolio projects in specific areas of design of your choosing
Expand and strengthen your design toolkit as you further practice solving problems with design solutions
Practice cross-disciplinary and collaborative design approaches across analog and digital technologies
Learn the business side of design, explore freelance best practices, and how to position yourself in the marketplace

What our students say about our certificates.

Courses

Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.

Required (1)

Elective (3)

Required Course

Advanced Typography

DESMA X 479.4B

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Elective Courses

Choose 3 of the following courses.

Mentorship: Design Communication Arts & User Experience

DESMA X 482.14

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Internship

DESMA X 479.7F

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Illustrator II

DESMA X 479.47AA

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Special Topics: Design Entrepreneurship

DESMA X 479.8B

Typically Offered: Winter

Surface Design for Consumer Products

DESMA X 479.9D

Typically Offered: Winter

Publication Design

DESMA X 479.4D

Typically Offered: Spring

Entertainment Graphic Design

DESMA X 479.6BB

Typically Offered: Spring

Package Design

DESMA X 479.6C

Typically Offered: Spring

Advertising Design

DESMA X 479.6D

Typically Offered: Fall, Summer

Motion Graphics I

DESMA X 481.99QT

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

Motion Graphics II

DESMA X 481.99QU

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Unity I: 3D Game Design and Game Engines

DESMA X 479.7K

Typically Offered: Fall, Spring

XR World Building I

DESMA X 480.11

Immersive Experience Design

DESMA X 480.22

User Experience Portfolio Development

DESMA X 480.54

User Interface (UI) Design

DESMA X 480.9K

Web Design I: HTML, CSS and JavaScript

DESMA X 481.24B

Typically Offered: Spring

User Experience I: Survey

DESMA X 481.99AF

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

User Experience II: Iteration

DESMA X 479.8K

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

User Experience Software and Rapid Prototyping

DESMA X 481.99FG

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Blender Foundations for Spatial Media

DESMA X 485.67

User Experience III: Applied

DESMA X 489.5F

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

User Experience Research

DESMA X 489.5G

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Intro to AI: Reshaping the Future of Creative Design & Development

DESMA X 490.98AB

User Experience IV: Capstone

DESMA X 499C

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Calligraphy

ART X 429

Photography I

ART X 438.9

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Photography II

ART X 439.90

Typically Offered: Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer

Photoshop for Photographers

ART X 440.21

Typically Offered: Fall

Lighting I

ART X 440.22

Typically Offered: Winter, Summer

Conceptual Photography

ART X 440.96

Telling Your Story: Narrative Photography

ART X 450.99

see all courses

How to Apply

A portfolio review is required for admission to the program, unless you have earned UCLA Extension’s Design Communication Arts certificate within the last five years.

How to Apply

Design Communication Arts Graduates:

Click the “Apply Now” button below. You will be prompted to log into your student account.
Simply fill out the application and pay the $125 candidacy fee

All Others:

Click the “Apply Now” button below. You will be prompted to login or create a Student Account and Profile in order to complete the application.
Complete the application.
Schedule an appointment for your in-person portfolio review.
Upon notification of acceptance into the program, you will be required to pay a $125 candidacy fee. This fee is nonrefundable and nontransferable. It establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of five years and allows you to access a variety of program benefits.

Estimated Cost Breakdown

All courses in this program are paid for individually, unless otherwise noted. An application form is required to establish candidacy in this program. From the 'Apply Now' button, complete the online application and pay the application fee if applicable.

Application & Candidacy Fee

125.00

Estimated Program Tuition

3200.00

Estimated program textbook/materials

400.00

*The Application & Candidacy Fee establishes your candidacy in the program for a period of time covering normal progress toward completion and may allow you to access a variety of program benefits.

Internships
Available

Approved for
International Visa

VA Benefit
Eligible

Federal
Financial Aid

**Federal Financial Aid Gainful Employment Disclosures

The U.S. Department of Education requires colleges and universities to disclose certain information for any financial aid eligible program that, “prepares students for gainful employment in a recognized occupation”. This information includes program costs; occupations that the program prepares students to enter; occupational profiles; on time completion rate; and for the most recent award year: the number of students who have completed the program, the number of students who complete the program within the estimated duration, the job placement rate, and the median Title IV and private loan debt incurred by those who complete the program. For gainful employment information for this program, visit our Financial Aid page.

Internship Opportunities

An internship in design communications can provide you with practical experience in a variety of design job functions. Students must be registered in the Design Communication Arts (DCA), Advanced Design Communication Arts (ADCA), or User Experience certificate program and have earned a "C" or better in at least 50% of the certificate's coursework.

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