Top 25 Graphic Design Schools and Colleges in the South – 2023 College Rankings

The Graphic Design Program at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) provides degree options at all levels. Students can enroll in a BA, BFA, MA or MFA program at campuses in Savannah or Atlanta, and online. A Graphic Design Minor consisting of 25 credit hours is also available. Across all programs, students benefit from courses taught by industry professionals from companies such as Google, Hasbro, and Airbnb; individual critiques and mentoring by top professionals in the design industry; and access to events such as SCADstyle, which attracts the biggest names in modern design, fashion, and global art.

All SCAD Graphic Design options offer the opportunity to add a minor to enhance the degree. Examples include Advertising, Mobile and Interactive Design, Advertising Copywriting, Mobile and Interactive Design, Advertising and Branding, and User Experience Design. Students may also add the Digital Publishing Certificate. Undergraduates may choose up to 20 hours of electives, which provides additional opportunities to develop skills in multiple areas of art and design. At every degree level, SCAD students have the opportunity to complete an internship at a local, regional, national, or global company.

Graduates of the Graphic Design Program at Savannah College of Art and Design go on to establish careers in Graphic Design, Branding, Package Design, UX Design, Mobile App Design, and Interactive Design.

Program alumni have been hired at Disney, Apple, Google, Goodby, Silverstein & Partners, Reddit, Hulu, Riot Games, Stripe, Groupon, Yelp, Verizon, IBM, Facebook, Live Nation, Airbnb, Under Armour, and Ralph Lauren. Some program alumni have gone on to launch their own design studios, while others have established successful freelance careers.

Providing more than 100 degree program options and over 75 minors and certificate programs, Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) has more programs and specializations than any other art and design college in the U.S. Founded in 1978, the school opened in 1979 with just 71 students, one classroom, and an administration building. Today, SCAD serves more than 15,000 students across campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia, and Lacoste, France. Savannah College of Art and Design is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The College of Design at North Carolina State University (NC State University) houses the Department of Graphic and Industrial Design, home to the Bachelor of Graphic & Experience Design (BGXD) and Master of Graphic & Experience Design (MGXD) Programs. Both pathways are recognized by the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The NC State MGXD is also one of the few Graphic Design graduate programs in the U.S. with STEM Classification (CIP).

Students in the BGXD Program will participate in studios that explore topics such as branding, data visualization, artificial intelligence, and accessible design. Students will also practice visualization strategies such as storyboarding, mapping, and diagramming, and they will use rapid prototyping techniques to test ideas. All students have the opportunity to collaborate with fellow BGXD students as well as industrial design, architecture, and landscape architecture students.

Other BGXD Program benefits include distinctive courses such as Typography and Technology; Branding, Interaction, and Service Design; Image & Tech Tinkering; and Information and Publishing Design Systems; the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or summer at the NC State Prague Institute or other study abroad location; professional paid internships at major design firms; and participation in sponsored studios as part of the GXD curriculum. Examples of past sponsors have included Caterpillar, John Deere, Lowe’s, Under Armour, Hanes, Coca Cola, Bosch, Eastman Chemical, and The National Civil Rights Museum.

Graduates of BGXD Program at North Carolina State University are designers at top design firms and software companies such as IDEO, R/GA, IBM, Red Hat, Lenovo, SAS, Citrix, IQVIA, Pentagram, and Willowtree.

The MGXD Program at NC State has both two-year and three-year options. Both lead to a terminal degree, equivalent to the MFA, which qualifies graduates to pursue a Design PhD or teach at the university level. The two-year program (MGXD II) is designed for students with a Graphic Design BFA (or equivalent) and experience in design, visual communication, interaction design, or related field.

The three-year program (MGXD III) is for students who have earned a BA in another field or a Graphic Design Concentration.

All students will participate in graduate studios, seminars, and workshops; they will have opportunities to take electives at affiliate universities such as Duke and UNC Chapel Hill; and students will work on collaborative projects and research with major companies and institutes such as IBM, the Institute of Emerging Issues, SAS, NC State Laboratory for Analytic Sciences, and Red Hat Software. For the final graduate project, MGXD students will research an area of focus, record conclusions, design studies and mock-ups, and present the project to the public.

Graduates of the MGXD Program at North Carolina State University are prepared for leadership positions in user experience and user interface design (UX/UI), with expertise in artificial intelligence (AI), research, data visualization, and digital typography.

NC State MGXD alumni go on to establish successful careers at consulting firms, software companies, and colleges and universities. Examples include Adobe, IDEO, Pratt Institute, Lenovo, IBM, and University of Michigan, Fjord, University of Washington, Red Hat Software, and Carnegie Mellon University.

North Carolina State University employs 9,000+ faculty and staff members that serve more than 36,000 students, making it the largest university in the University of North Carolina System. Established in 1887 as a land-grant institution focusing in agriculture and engineering, NC State offers more than 300 degree programs across 11 colleges, 68 departments, and The Graduate School. North Carolina State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The College of Architecture, Design, and Construction houses the School of Industrial and Graphic Design—home to Alabama’s only Graphic Design Program to receive accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Leading to a BFA, the Graphic Design (GDES) Program consists of 123 credit hours that focus on branding, packaging, wayfinding design, UI/UX, illustration, app design, typography, motion design, and publishing. Course examples include Graphic Design I-II, Interactive Media, Typographics, Graphic Processes, Photo Design, and Graphic Design History.

Besides a variety of in-demand courses, BFA students benefit from the program’s professional studio environment, hands-on design instruction, cross-disciplinary collaborations, guest lecturers, exhibitions, and design symposiums. Students also have access to internship opportunities and access to Auburn University’s Study Abroad Program, with work and learn experiences in places such as Scotland, England, Hong Kong, Ireland, and Taiwan.

During the final year of the Auburn GDES BFA Program, students will complete a professional portfolio of their best work.

Auburn GDES graduates go on to secure positions with advertising agencies, publishers, design studios, magazines, marketing firms, web design companies, and more. They work in areas such as branding and packaging, illustration, environmental graphics, web design and development, interactive media, and exhibition design, among others.

Auburn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Chartered in 1856 as the East Alabama Male College, the school went on to become the first land-grant college in the South in 1872. Today, Auburn serves a diverse population of approximately 31,765 students, making it one of the largest universities in the region. Auburn University offers 150 majors and programs across more than a dozen colleges and schools.

University of Georgia (UGA) is home to Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, which houses Lamar Dodd School of Art. Within the School of Art are several paths to study Graphic Design. Options include the Fine Arts BFA, the Interdisciplinary Art & Design AB (BA), the Printmaking and Book Arts BFA and MFA, and the Digital Design + Media Minor.

The Fine Arts BFA at UGA has Graphic Design, Photography & Expanded Media, Printmaking & Book Arts, and Scientific Illustration Concentrations. The curriculum for the Graphic Design Concentration explores areas such as color techniques, graphic survey, typography, electronic design, layout, three-dimensional design, illustration, and photography. Because the program encourages an interdisciplinary approach to design, students have opportunities to select courses from other departments and schools outside the School of Art.

The Interdisciplinary Art & Design AB (BA) Program includes experiential learning opportunities such as study abroad in Cortona, Costa Rica, or Ghana, and the option to complete a minor, certificate program or double major in a field outside the Dodd School of Art. The Interdisciplinary Art & Design AB requires 122 credit hours to graduate.

The Printmaking and Book Arts BFA and MFA Programs provide access to state-of-the-art equipment to produce print, paper and book arts media; and the multifunctional Project Space for installing, staging, critiquing, and exhibiting work. MFA students have access to private studios with natural lighting, large windows, and ample ventilation. The BFA requires 120 credits to graduate and the MFA requires a minimum of 67 credit hours to graduate.

Graduates of the Art and Design Programs at University of Georgia work in a variety of positions at creative firms, retailers, broadcasting companies, magazines, museums, and publishers. Companies that have hired UGA graduates include Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. (TBS), IBM Design, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Meta, Aveda, Bustle, Free People, and Gensler.

Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, University of Georgia is the nation’s first state university. The school serves more than 40,000 students enrolled in 379 degree programs across 17 colleges and schools. Established in 1910, the Graduate School houses 250 of UGA’s 379 degree programs. University of Georgia is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The College of Fine and Applied Arts (CFAA) at Appalachian State University (Appalachian State or ASU) houses the Department of Art, home to the Graphic Design Program. Students in the program have access to fully equipped facilities and labs, where they will have opportunities to engage in interactive design projects, and create environmental graphics, print publications, screen-based experiences and identity programs. Students will also explore type design, packaging, and signage/information systems.

Leading to a BFA, the Graphic Design Program features faculty-led regional and national trips to places such as New York to visit studios and museums; study abroad experiences in places such as South Africa, Panama, Italy, and Austria; and internships with companies and organizations such as Publicis (Bangkok, Thailand), Discovery Communications (Chicago, Illinois), and Appalachian Voices (Boone, North Carolina). Students in this 120 credit hour, four-year professional program also have access to clubs and organizations such as the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA), the Arts Management Organization (AMO), the Art History Club, and the Student Art League (SAL).

The curriculum for the Appalachian State Graphic Design BFA includes a three course Typography sequence, electives, an internship, and a two course Capstone. Course examples for the program include Idea Lab; Sign, Symbol, Language; Interaction Design; Special Topics in Graphic Design; Design Methods; Motion Graphics; Hand-Lettering; Illustration; and Graphic Design for Professional Practice.

To enhance the degree, students have the opportunity to add a minor. Examples include Graphic Communications Management, Creative Engagement and Social Change, Digital Marketing, Media Studies, Photography, and Studio Art, such as Studio Art with Portfolio Review.

In addition to courses such as Motion Graphics, Hand-Lettering, Design Methods, Interaction Design, Idea Lab, and Printmaking Studio, the ASU Graphic Design curriculum includes an internship opportunity and Graphic Design Professional Practice. In this course, students will participate in lectures, create self-promotional packages, engage in research and writing related to job search preparedness, and develop and refine their portfolios. As part of the course, students will also visit local or regional design studios and printing facilities.

Graduates of Graphic Design BFA Program at Appalachian State University are prepared to pursue careers such as Multimedia Designer, Book Designer, Editorial Artist, Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Cartoonist or Illustrator, Computer Graphic Artist, Advertising Director, Computer Graphic Artist, and Communications Specialist. Most program alumni start jobs right after graduation or continue their education at colleges such as Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MassArt), Pratt Institute, and Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

ASU Graphic Design graduates have been hired at places such as Gap, Amazon.com, McCall Publishing Company, Tiffany and Co., Footbridge Media, Fifty&Fifty, CreateSpace, Oculus Studios, Red Hat, COCG, McKinney, Registered Creative, thoughtbot, and Raizlabs.

Founded in 1899 as Watauga Academy, Appalachian State University is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System. The school serves approximately 20,435 students enrolled in more than 200 degree programs across eight colleges and schools. Appalachian State University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC).

The College of Art & Design at Louisiana State University (LSU) houses the School of Art, which has a Graphic Design Program with both BFA and MFA pathways. Students in all School of Art programs have access to the Arts, Visualization, Advanced Technologies and Research (AVATAR) Initiative and the LSU Art Building, which houses classrooms, studio spaces, the Design Shop, IDEA Hub, teaching labs, and the Fabrication Factory.

School of Art students may also join the Digital Art and Design Association (DADA), participate in design competitions, and join the Graphic Design Student Organization (GDSA), which hosts field trips to local design firms and lectures,

The Graphic Design Programs at Louisiana State University explore branding, packaging design, print and editorial design, typography, information design, motion graphics, environmental design, illustration/digital imaging, and identity design. Consisting of 120 credit hours, the BFA curriculum includes courses such as Graphic Design I-III, Applied Typography, Digital Imaging Techniques, Graphic Abstraction, Letter Forms, Color Design, Prepress Production Techniques, and Interactive Multimedia Design.

The LSU Graphic Design MFA is a 60 credit hour program that combines workshops and lectures by visiting artists with art history courses, studio art electives, and graduate studios. A Teaching Seminar is part of the program as well as two Thesis Research courses worth six credits. The graduate Graphic Design Program culminates with the MFA Thesis Report and Exhibition. 

Graduates of the Graphic Design Program at Louisiana State University work in advertising, corporate communications, design, publishing, education, and the non-profit sectors. Some graduates have launched their own businesses or studios.

Graphic Design alumni have been hired at Travel + Leisure, Sony Picture Entertainment, Halliburton, Disney, The Washington Post, DreamWorks, Nissan North America, SVAD-NYC, Lucasfilm, KPMG, Baltimore Museum of Art, Pixar Animation Studios, New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation, Leftfield Entertainment, Hunter Museum of American Art, Bluebonnet, Modern Media, Modern Art Museum (Fort Worth, Texas), and Trace Labs.

Louisiana State University was founded in 1860 as the Louisiana State Seminary of Learning and Military Academy. The flagship institution of the Louisiana State University System, LSU serves approximately 37,355 students enrolled in more than 330 programs across 18 colleges, schools, and centers, and LSU Online. Louisiana State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). School of Art Concentration Areas are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD).

Clemson University (Clemson) houses the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, home to the Department of Graphic Communications, which has two paths to study Graphic Design. At the undergraduate level, the College has a Graphic Communications BS Program that serves 400 students. Program benefits include access to a 14,000-square-foot main laboratory and two additional state-of-the-art labs equipped with packaging and printing equipment; collaborative projects with students in the Packaging Science Department; access to the Sonoco Institute, which hosts workshops, classes, and seminars; and the opportunity to add a Brand Communications, Packaging Science, or Business Administration Minor.

Course examples for the program include Graphic Communications I-II, Planning and Controlling Printing Functions, Current Developments and Trends in Graphic Communications, Package and Specialty Printing, Digital Imaging, Marketing, Junior Seminar in Graphic Communications, and Technical Writing.

In addition to a summer Co-op Education requirement, a major component of the Clemson Graphic Communications BS is the Internship Program. Students are required to hold an industry internship for at least two semesters before graduating. The Department hoss an Intern employer Day each semester, providing the opportunity to interview with representatives from more than 40 companies. 

Graduates of the Graphics Communications BS Program at Clemson University have gone on to pursue graduate study at Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD) and Wake Forest University. Others have been hired at places such as Newell Brands, The Hughes Agency, R.R. Donnelley, Horizon Investments, and Boston Beer Company.

The Clemson University Graphic Communications MS Program has both Thesis and Non-Thesis options. The Thesis option requires 33 credit hours to graduate. Non-Thesis students will complete 30 credit hours. Core courses for both options include Current Developments and Trends in Graphic Communications, Package and Specialty Printing, Commercial Printing, Graphic Communications Graduate Seminar, and Research Problems I-II.

The Thesis option requires the Master’s Thesis Research course. The Non-Thesis option requires Graphic Communications Research Problems I-II. For students without relevant work experience, an industrial internship is a required for both options.

Graduates of the Graphic Communications MS at Clemson University are placed in creative, technical, and scientific positions; sales, marketing, and customer service; packaging, printing, and publishing; and academic and management.

For students seeking a program that provides a foundation in Art, Clemson University has a Fine Arts Program with BA and BFA pathways. Housed in the College of Architecture, Arts, and Humanities’ Department of Art, both programs are accredited by National Association for Schools of Art & Design (NASAD).

The Art BA is a Liberal Arts program that allows students to customize their studies with a double major or minor in any area. Students may also choose an emphasis such as Digital Art or Design Media. The Visual Arts BFA offers emphasis areas such as New Media, Drawing, Printmaking or Photography, with complementary coursework in Graphic Design and Animation.

Program benefits for both pathways include the visiting artist series, access to Lee Gallery, the annual field trip to art centers such as New York City, the four-week summer school in Orvieto, Italy, and the opportunity to exhibit works in the Lee Art Gallery in the senior year or the programs. In addition, Clemson Art students regularly display their work in national and regional venues, as well as locally in the Pendleton and Greenville arts districts.

Graduates of the Clemson University Art and Visual Arts Programs work at art museums and galleries, for publications, and in public relations, exhibit design, graphic design, illustration, art therapy, media, retail, animation and cartoons, and art journalism. Recent employers include Anthropologie, GDC Home, Museum of the Cherokee, Kaleidoscope Design Factory, and Greenville County Schools. 

Some program alumni have gone on to pursue graduate study at Northwestern University, Columbus College of Art and Design (CCAD),  Sotheby’s Institute of Art, University of Georgia, and Christie’s Education.

Founded in 1889, Clemson University opened in 1893 as Clemson Agricultural College. On the first day of classes, the school welcomed 446 students. Today, Clemson serves approximately 27,340 students enrolled in 80+ majors, 90+ minors, and more than 130 graduate degree programs. Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The College of Architecture, Art and Design (CAAD) at Mississippi State University (MSU) houses the Department of Art—home to the state’s largest undergraduate Studio Art Program. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Program has Concentrations in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, and Photography.

Leading to a BFA, the MSU Studio Art Program emphasizes immersive studio experiences, hands-on studio learning, and internships. For admission to the Graphic Design Concentration, Studio Art students must pass a Foundation Portfolio Review after completing courses such as Introduction to Computing for Art, Design I-II, Drawing I-II, and Three-Dimensional Design.

Once students enter the Concentration, they will take electives and required courses such as Graphic Art Design, Advertising Design, The Art of Typography and Layout, Illustration, Advanced Print Production, Multimedia Design and Authoring, Advanced Studio – Graphic Design, Digital Photography, Print Production, and Graphic Design for the Internet. This 123 credit hour program culminates with a Thesis and Senior Presentation.

Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA Program at Mississippi State University are Product Designers, Brand Managers, Digital Publishers, Art Directors, Packaging Designers, Book Illustrators, Exhibit Designers, Advertising Designers (print and web), Motion Designers, Visual Information Specialists, Interactive Designers, and Creative Directors.

Mississippi State University was founded in 1878 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi. The school serves approximately 23,085 students enrolled in more than 175 programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. Programs at Mississippi State University are housed across eight academic colleges including Agriculture and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art, and Design; Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Bagley Engineering; Forest Resources; and Veterinary Medicine. Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The School of Art & Art History at University of South Florida (USF) is part of the College of the Arts. Within the School is a limited access Graphic Arts BFA Program with two Concentrations: Illustration and Graphic Design. The Graphic Design Concentration combines production courses with internships and portfolio development coursework. The curriculum focuses on print, image development, and screen-based graphics. Students will begin the program with foundation courses such as  History of Visual Arts, Intermediate Drawing for Graphic Arts, and Beginning Printmaking. Students may choose between the Beginning Painting and Silkscreen courses to complete the foundation requirements.

Over the next three years, students will complete 18 credit hours in the concentration. Course examples include Graphic Interface, Motion Graphics, Book Design, Packaging Design, Business Graphic Design, Advanced Typography, Design Signs and Symbols, Advanced Illustration, Social Design, and Advanced Illustration.    

In the final year of the USF Graphic Arts Program, student designers will complete Graphic Design: Senior Studio, Senior Project: Research, and Senior Project: Portfolio. In addition, students will design, organize, and promote an exhibition of their Final Senior Project.

Graduates of the Graphic Arts Program at University of South Florida are prepared for positions such as Graphic Designer, Creative Director, Brand Designer, UI/UX Designer, Technical Designer, Packaging Designer, Layout Artist, Industrial Designer,  Production Artist, Design Consultant, Logo Designer, Motion Designer, Illustrator, and Senior Graphic Designer.

University of South Florida was founded in 1956. The school serves approximately 49,766 students across campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee. Students choose from 180 undergraduate majors and degree programs at the graduate, specialist, and doctoral levels. Programs at USF are housed across 14 colleges. University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

University of North Florida (UNF) houses the College of Arts & Sciences (COAS)—home to the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Department has a selective, limited-access Graphic Design and Digital Media Program that leads to a BFA. Program features include hands-on design projects for local businesses, internship opportunities at area creative agencies, and the chance to study abroad in places such as Florence, Naples, and Rome, Italy; Brazil; England; and Ireland.

BFA students also have opportunities to interact with visiting artists, attend seminars and workshops, and participate in two Senior Showcases in UNF Gallery Spaces.

The Graphic Design and Digital Media BFA at University of North Florida is a 120 credit hour program that explores packaging, motion graphics, advertising design, poster design, visual identities, and more. With 24 credits in the major and free electives, BFA students have opportunities to explore other areas of art and design. Course examples include User Interface and Interaction Design, Graphic Symbols and Semiotics, Time-Based Media, Visual Systems, Graphic Design: Creativity and Critique, Communication, Graphic Design History, Visual Identity, and Professional Practices.

In the last year of the UNF Graphic Design and Digital Media BFA Program, COAS students will finalize their professional Graphic Design Portfolio. Graduates are prepared to pursue positions at creative studios and design firms, advertising agencies, multimedia firms, production studios, web design companies, advertising agencies, marketing and public relations firms, and in in-house design or marketing departments in just about every industry.

Chartered in 1965, University of North Florida is one of 12 public universities in the State University System of Florida (SUSF). The school serves approximately 16,515 students across six colleges and Hicks Honors College. University of North Florida offers 60 bachelor's degrees with 75 areas of concentration, 36 master's degrees with 72 areas of concentration, five doctoral degrees with three areas of concentration, and one specialist degree. University of North Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

The Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences at University of Arkansas (U of A) is home to the School of Art, which houses a Graphic Design (GDSB) BFA Program with traditional, eight-semester, and honors options. Launched in 2016 and requiring 120 credit hours of study, the GDSB Program explores branding, typography, interactivity, and design research, long with the latest industry software and techniques used to create designs.

The GDSB BFA Program at University of Arkansas consists of courses such as Studio Foundation I-II, Typographic Systems 1-3, Human Centered Design, Technology in Context, Design Tools and Concepts, User Experience, Interactive Language, Identity Systems 1-2, Art History Survey, and Professional Development Seminar. Students may participate in the Internship Program, and the BFA Degree Project (Capstone) is required to graduate.

Graduates of the Graphic Design BFA Program at U of A have completed internships or currently work for companies and organizations such as Saatchi & Saatchi X, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Olivet, Rockfish, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Acumen Brands, J.B. Hunt, DOXA, Hayseed Ventures, Elkins Design, Collective Bias, Field Agent, Archetype, RevUnit, and BLKBox Labs.

For students seeking a graduate degree, the School of Art has an MDes Program with a Communication Design Concentration. This 60 credit-hour program requires 33 credits in Graduate Studios, 12 in Graduate Seminars, and nine in Graduate Special Topics. Course examples include Design and Technology, Design Theory: Past, Present, and the Future, Design and Communities, Design Pedagogy and Leadership, Design and Culture, and Design Research Methods.

Graduates of the MDes Program at University of Arkansas are prepared for leadership positions in all areas of Communication Design and for academic positions at design schools, colleges, and  universities.

Established in 1871 as the first public university in Arkansas, University of Arkansas is among just three percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. The school serves approximately 30,935 students, which also makes it Arkansas’s largest university. U of A provides more than 240 academic programs at the undergraduate, master’s, doctoral, and specialist levels across 10 colleges and schools. University of Arkansas is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

The College of Fine Arts at Florida State University (FSU) houses the Department of Art. Within the Department a Studio Art Program are BA, BFA, and MFA degree options. Each program allows students to concentrate or focus in up to two areas to develop skills in Graphic Design. Examples include Digital Media, Book Arts, Electronic Art, Printmaking, Moving Image, Photography, and Drawing. Students in the BA Program may also double major, take several minors, and participate in numerous experiential learning experiences. BFA students will work in assigned personal studios.

Other Studio Art Program features include the Visiting Artist Lecture Series, 24/7 access to studio spaces in the Carnaghi Arts Building (CAB), workshops and seminars, opportunities for individualized and advanced research, and access to labs and other facilities in The Facility For Arts Research (FAR).

Part of FSU’s College of Fine Arts, FAR houses REBOOT Laboratory, collab, Small Craft Advisory Press, and comma. Additional facilities include the Digital Media Lab, Photo Labs, Printmaking Labs, and FabLab Digital Fabrication Lab.
Additional project and installation spaces are available for MFA students in the 400-square-feet MFA Gallery. MFA students also have access to individual 235-square-feet studios, a graduate seminar room, common spaces, FSU’s Innovation Hub, Lightbox, and FAR&AWAY—the visiting artist program. All Studio Art students may complete an internship, study abroad, and participate in gallery exhibitions at the FSU Phyllis Straus Gallery.

The BFA Program culminates with a Thesis Project, which will be displayed at FSU’s Museum of Fine Arts. The Studio Art MFA culminates with an Exhibition event in Florida State University’s Museum of Fine Art (MoFA).

Founded in 1851, Florida State University serves approximately 45,495 students enrolled in more than 275 degree programs at all levels. One of the largest and the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida, FSU houses 16 colleges and schools at campuses across the state. Florida State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Georgia State University (GSU) houses the College of the Art, home to the Ernest G. Welch School of Art and Design. Within the school is a Graphic Design Concentration leading to a Studio BFA or a Design MFA. BFA Program features include 24/7 access to studios, facilities, and student labs; the Visiting Artist & Scholar Lecture Series, which attracts speakers from across the country and around the world; year-round exhibitions in Welch School Galleries & student-run galleries; and access to the Creative Media Center (CMC), which houses camera equipment, Wacom tablets, and other electronic items.

The GSU Studio BFA requires 120 credit hours, with 51 in the Graphic Design Concentration. Students in the BFA Program will take courses such as Motion Design and Time-Based Media, Corporate Identity Design, Graphic Design Through Advertising, Print and Editorial Design, Specialized Applications of Graphic Design, Book Arts, Advanced Computer Graphics Programming, and Screen Print and Experimental Printmaking. Students will complete a professional portfolio of their best work and participate in the BFA Senior Group Exhibition.

The Design MFA at Georgia State University is ideal for experienced designers seeking a multidisciplinary degree. Program features include individual, dedicated studios; 24-hour access shared studio spaces; full tuition waivers and monthly stipends as part of assistantships; one-on-one mentorship with faculty; and access to competitive fellowships, including the premium Welch fellowships. The fellowships fund students for the entire three years of study, in addition to the students' regular stipend and full tuition waiver.

The Design MFA Program requires 72 credit hours, with 30 credits in Studio-specific courses and six in electives. Courses consists of a combination of Graduate Studios, Design Seminars, Design Practice, Art History, and the intensive Thesis work. Upon completion of the Thesis, MFA students will show their work at an Exit Show, Lecture, Screening, or Presentation.

Graduates of the Graphic Design Programs at Georgia State University are prepared for careers in Advertising and Marketing, Art Education, Contemporary Art, Design and Art Entrepreneurship, and many others. Program alumni Graphic Designers, Creative Directors, Multimedia Artists, Advertising Designers, Brand Managers, Curators, Packaging Designers, Exhibit Designers, Web Designers, Book Designers, Art Administrators, and Educators.

Founded in 1913, Georgia State University is a public research institution that serves 52,000+ students across six campuses throughout Metro Atlanta. At the Atlanta Campus, Georgia State provides more than 250 degree programs in 100 fields of study, which is the widest variety of academic offerings in the state. Programs at Georgia State are housed across 11 colleges and schools. Georgia State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).