Program of Study - Design Certificate
The Art Department offers a Graduate Certificate in Design that builds on the recently instituted Graduate courses in Design and on the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Graphic Design.
The Graduate Certificate in Design places strong emphasis on developing a visual language with a concentration on intelligent decision making within the multiple facets of graphic art, corporate communications, editorial design, industrial design, environmental design, product design, game design, advertising and interactive design.
Courses are heavily ingrained with the process of design, theory and developing a personal methodology. When the transmission of information come through sound, color, typography, environment, photography or interactive experience, designers have great challenges and power to give birth to messages that inevitably shape our culture.
The Design department encourages students to utilize these elements to seek exploration and a voice while utilizing contemporary technology leading to a successful career in a rich professional field of design.
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the graduate certificate in design, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:
- Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) or Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent.
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
- Letter of recommendation from a faculty member
- Personal statement detailing artistic direction, professional goals, and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.
- Portfolio of professional work.
Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply
Program Requirements
Required Courses (18 Credits)
ARTS 6337 and ARTS 6338: Must be taken once and repeatable for a total of 9 hours
ARTS 6639: Must be taken once and repeatable for a total of 12 hours
Total Credit Hours: 18