Ignite your creativity and prepare for a career in graphic design. Learn how to think like a designer while developing the visual literacy needed to thrive in a professional setting. Feel confident in your skills through portfolio reviews, a capstone course, mentorship and internship opportunities. The Design Communication Arts (DCA) certificate can be completed online or in the classroom.
The Design Communication Arts (DCA) certificate program is designed to help you grow creatively while providing you with the skills to succeed professionally.
The curriculum gives a solid foundation in the fundamentals of graphic design, with elective courses in user experience, photography, and visual arts to choose from. At the end of the program, students participate in a mandatory portfolio review before being awarded their certificate.
You'll not only learn the tools of graphic design, but how to think strategically and develop the visual literacy needed to thrive in a professional setting. If you pay attention and challenge yourself, you will leave the program with confidence in your creative and practical skills, and with a portfolio that reflects your unique lens on the world.
Courses in this certificate are offered both online and in the classroom. The program can be completed 100% online.
Visual Arts Distinguished Instructor Series
Join us over lunch for a series of live talks and presentations given by distinguished instructors in Graphic Design, UX, Photography, VR, and more.
The Design Communication Arts program not only helped me develop a good understanding of fundamental design principles, but more importantly, it helped me build a solid portfolio that I can now use to begin my career in the graphic design industry.
feel a certificate helped them enhance their careers
received a salary increase after starting a certificate program
switched careers after completing a certificate program
recommend a certificate program to others
Click below to view the required and elective courses, if applicable, for this program.
This 8-unit intensive bootcamp course can be taken in lieu of taking these 3 required courses:
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.
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.
Design Communication Arts certificate candidates may earn elective credit by enrolling in an internship or mentorship.
Internship
DESMA X 479.7F
Begin the transition from student to professional designer with an internship in a real world setting.
Mentorship
DESMA X 482.14
Work one-on-one with an instructor who guides your development of a meaningful project geared toward a portfolio piece, design competition, freelance assignment, or other advanced goal.
The Design Communication Arts certificate is approved for international students (F-1 student visa).
International applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting test scores from either TOEFL, IELTS or iTEP. Some applicants may be exempt from this requirement if certain criteria are met.
English language proficiency (minimum*):
Learn more:
When you're ready to take the next step in your graphic design career, apply to the Advanced Design Communication Arts certificate program, where you’ll dive deeper into special design topics and further refine your skills with master-level mentorship.
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