| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mississippi State University | Starkville |
| 2 | University of Mississippi | Oxford |
| 3 | University of Southern Mississippi | Hattiesburg |
Our 2021 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Mississippi. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Founded in 1878, Mississippi State University (MSU) is a land-grant college that serves nearly 23,000 students. The school offers more than160 degree programs and 14 graduate certification programs in eight colleges. The College of Architecture, Art and Design houses the Department of Art, which is the state’s largest undergraduate studio art program. The Department offers a BFA in Studio Art with a Concentration in Graphic Design.
The BFA is an intensive, four-year program “that that provides the student with a series of in-depth studio experiences leading to a thesis/senior presentation balanced by studies in humanities, communication, mathematics, and sciences,” says the school. The program consists of 123, including Foundation, Survey, Art History and Theory, the Concentration Core, and Concentration Electives.
Course highlights for the program include Introduction to Advanced Studio – Computer Art and Design, Advertising Design, Computing for Art, Digital Drawing, Graphic Art Design, Graphic Design for the Internet, History of Graphic Design, Illustration, Intermediate Computing for Designers, Introduction of Multimedia I Design and Authoring, Printmaking Survey, The Art of Typography and Layout, and Video Art.
Students will complete 1-6 hours in Directed individual Study in Art and 1-13 hours in Thesis Research/Thesis in Art. Total hours and credits TBA. A portfolio and exhibition are also required to graduate from the program.
Graduates of the MSU Graphic Design Program hold a variety of titles including Art Director, Beverage Label Artist, Book Illustrator, Communications Specialist, Creative Director, Designer for TV, Electronic Publisher, Exhibit Designer, Illustrator, Interactive Designer, Internet Advertising Artist, Marketing Specialist, Motion Designer, Packaging Designer, Print Designer, Product Designer, Public Relations Coordinator, Visual Information Specialist, and Visual Merchandiser.
Founded in 1848, the University of Mississippi (UM), better known as Ole Miss, is Mississippi's flagship university. The school serves 24,250 students enrolled more than 200 programs in 15 academic divisions. The Department of Art & Art History offers a BFA in Art with an Emphasis in Graphic Design. Students in this 120 credit hour program will take courses such as Package Design, Print Design, Typography, and Web and Animation, along with a series of related studio courses such as Photography, Printmaking, and Digital Video.
During the final year of the program, students will complete the Pre-Thesis Forum, the Senior Seminar, and the Thesis Exhibit.
Graduates of the BFA Graphic Design Program at UM go on to successful careers such as Animator, Art Director, Brand Identity Developer, Content Developer, Creative Director, Graphic Designer, Interface Designer, Logo Designer, Package Designer, Web Designer, and many others.
Founded in 1910, the University of Southern Mississippi (USM) serves around 14,600 students enrolled in more than 100 programs in four colleges and dozens of schools. The College of Arts and Sciences houses the School of Performing and Visual Arts, which offers a BFA in Art (Graphic Design) and a Minor in Graphic Design.
The 124 credit hour BFA program consists of Art Foundations in the first year, which includes studio courses in drawing, two and three-dimensional design, and color theory. Advanced studio courses and courses in Art History follow. Course highlights include Design/Typography, Digital Imaging, Digital Page Layout, Digital Visualization, Graphic Communication, Graphic Design History, Graphic Design/Presentation, Graphic Design/Production, Illustration, and Interactive Design. Students will also complete Graphics Design Portfolio (ART444) and Graphic Communication Project (ART 448).
A unique component of the BFA Graphic Design Program is the opportunity to select courses from several other areas including Dance, Music, Theater, and other disciplines. Examples include Art Appreciation, Dance Appreciation, Theatrical Expressions, and The Enjoyment of Music.
Graduates of the program go on to establish careers in Advertising, Entertainment, Graphic Design, Marketing, and many others.
