Graphic Design Degrees in Virginia (K-Z)

Thanks to the 176 colleges and universities currently educating Virginians, it’s simple to find high-quality accredited graphic design degree programs in Virginia to unleash your creative powers. Laying along the Atlantic coastline between the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia is a hub for the Mid-Atlantic just a short drive or train ride to the artistic resources of Washington, DC. Virginia itself has a rich cultural heritage that can be chronicled at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Chrysler Museum of Art, and Frontier Culture Museum for inspiration.

Employment of graphic designers in computer and digital media services is projected to grow a whopping 35% before 2022. In fact, the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria metropolitan area already has the fifth highest employment level of graphic designers making an annual average salary of $64,430. Get your career ready for liftoff by checking out the following undergraduate and graduate degrees for graphic design in Virginia. To see more accredited graphic design degrees, visit Graphic Design Degree in Virginia (A-J).

Liberty University

School of Communication & Creative Arts

Established in 1971, Liberty University is a comprehensive accredited private non-profit evangelical Christian institution that serves around 13,800 residential and 100,000 online students from its main 7,000-acre headquarters in Lynchburg. Named among the country’s 10 most conservative colleges by the Young America’s Foundation, Liberty is ranked as the 80th best region college and 37th top school for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. With the 79th best online bachelor’s degrees nationwide, the School of Communication & Creative Arts is focused on bring a Christian worldview into training students for artistic careers in communications.

BFA in Studio & Digital Arts: Graphic Design

Available in a residential or online format, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio & Digital Arts program at Liberty offers a pre-professional degree and extensive hands-on learning in the basic fundamentals of design. Along with Two Dimensional Art or Three Dimensional Art, the Graphic Design concentration is provided for students wishing to study visual communications. After students complete their freshman year, they must apply for the BFA program, pass a portfolio review, and achieve a minimum GPA of 3.0. Within the 128-credit curriculum, students will take courses in drawing, art history, Christian thought, typography, vector illustration, publication design, digital photography, and more.

B.S. in Studio & Digital Arts: Graphic Design

Leading to a Bachelor of Science degree, the B.S. in Studio & Digital Arts program is designed to prepare undergraduate students for applying their professional skills in critically analyzing and creating visual imagery. Over four years full-time, students who select the Graphic Design concentration will attend residential courses in Lynchburg to complete 120 credits. Coursework will cover topics ranging from rhetoric and theology to art history and digital imaging. Students can also participate in the university’s active AIGA Student Chapter. Graduates of this major will leave Liberty with bright career opportunities in advertising, design, education, business, sales, marketing, communications, and television/film.

MFA in Studio & Digital Arts: Graphic Design

At the graduate level, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Studio & Digital Arts program is a terminal degree that provides advanced knowledge and professional training in the arts. In a creative atmosphere, students are encouraged to actively participate in evaluation, critique, and open exchange of their visual innovations. Whether studying on-campus or online, MFA students will be closely supported by faculty for immediate input and guidance. Graduates with 60 total credits will be qualified for advancing their careers as artists, graphic designers, art critics, creative directors, teachers, marketers, advertising managers, and animators.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
(434) 592-5900
tasmith2@liberty.edu
https://www.liberty.edu/arts/bachelors/communication/

Lynchburg College

School of Communication and the Arts

Affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Lynchburg College is a small selective private non-profit liberal arts institution of around 2,500 students that’s located on a 264-acre urban campus in Lynchburg within the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains. Named among the Templeton Guide’s “Colleges That Changes Lives,” LC is ranked as the 33rd best regional college in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Communication and the Arts is dedicated to giving students the chance to make connections through words, music, and art with rich outside-the-classroom learning.

B.A. in Art with Graphic Design Emphasis

Ideal for undergraduate students wishing to delve deeper in their understanding of the most powerful tool humans have to reflect on and change society, the B.A. in Art program at LC is provided in an on-campus studio setting with emphases in Studio Art and Graphic Design. Those who select Graphic Design will build on their art core with courses related to graphics innovation, visual communication, typography, web design, drawing, and graphics analysis. Before graduation from the 120-credit major, students must successfully pass a graphic design studio seminar, complete a real-world internship or practicum experience, and create a professional portfolio.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1501 Lakeside Drive
Lynchburg, VA 24501
(434) 544-8349
artdept@lists.lynchburg.edu
http://www.lynchburg.edu/academics/majors-and-minors/art/

Mary Baldwin College

College for Women

As the oldest private liberal arts higher learning institution for women in America affiliated with the Presbyterian Church, Mary Baldwin College is situated on a 54-acre urban campus in the small city of Staunton within northern Virginia. Enrolling around 2,500 female students, MBC is currently ranked as the 49th best regional college in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. The College for Women is the main academic division of MBC that provides over 55 multilayered undergraduate majors to help young women transform their passion into lives of purpose.

B.A. Studio Art in Graphic Design

Designed to train students to “speak” the language of visual form, the B.A. Studio Art program at MBC is process-oriented to provide the creative practice experience needed for professional careers. By combining technical and formal training, students are taught how to create their own particular style. In the context of liberal arts, students can choose an emphasis in Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Ceramics, Graphic Design, or Extended Media. Those who focus in Graphic Design will work with a close-knit cohort group of students and an experienced, caring teacher to build critical competence in visual communications. Students take an annual trip to visit New York City’s art museums for inspiration.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

318 Prospect Street
Staunton, VA 24401
(540) 887-7019
iclanton@mbc.edu
http://www.mbc.edu/studio_art/

Marymount University

School of Arts & Sciences

Nestled on a main 21-acre suburban campus in Arlington with satellite locations in Ballston and Reston, Marymount University is a major comprehensive four-year private Catholic institution that educates more than 3,600 minds annually. In addition to being the 40th best master’s college, Marymount was crowned the 37th best regional university and 11th top school for veterans in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. The School of Arts & Sciences is home to 18 academic programs with personalized mentoring and active learning styles to stimulate students’ intellectual curiosity for lifelong success.

B.A. in Media Design

Delivered in a traditional format with emphases in Graphic Design and Media Communication Design, the B.A. in Media Design program at Marymount University has the mission of preparing undergraduate students with fundamental knowledge in communication theory to support creative professional practice. After fulfilling the liberal arts core, students will engage in 18 media design major credits and 13 emphasis credits before completing their culminating senior internship. Graphic design students must have a personal computer, color printer, and software supported by the program. Graduates can find jobs with design firms, advertising agencies, publishers, creative departments, businesses, non-profit organizations, and more.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

2807 North Glebe Road
Arlington, VA 22207
(703) 284-1500
http://www.marymount.edu/Academics/School-of-Arts-Sciences/Undergraduate-Programs/Graphic-Design-%28B-A-%29

Old Dominion University

College of Arts & Letters

After opening in 1930, Old Dominion University grew to become a major independent public space-grant and sea-grant research institution with more than 24,600 students based on its main 251-acre urban campus in Norfolk along the pristine Chesapeake Bay. Ranked among the top 400 universities in the world by Times Higher Education, ODU is distinguished as the 141st best college in Washington Monthly magazine based on social mobility and ethics. In the College of Arts & Letters, the Art Department creates a close-knit community with small class sizes to help students grow towards their full artistic potential in any medium.

BFA in Studio Art: Graphic Design

The Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Studio Art at ODU leads to a professional degree to give undergraduate students the well-rounded introduction to art fundamentals and career preparation to compete for creative job positions. Students begin with a studio foundation and core, but then they may select a concentration. Graphic design students will then take at least 21 credit hours in basic typography, design concepts, design systems, digital imaging, printmaking, and drawing. The senior capstone will be a portfolio review so that students can develop a collection of masterpieces that will impress employers. Adding an additional 21 credits will qualify students for obtaining teaching certification in art education too.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

5115 Hampton Blvd.
Norfolk, VA 23529
(757) 683-4047
ddebeixe@odu.edu
http://ww2.odu.edu/al/art/academics.html

Radford University

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Sprawling over a 191-acre urban campus at the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains in the New River Valley of southwestern Virginia, Radford University is a senior doctoral-granting public research institution that serves over 9,700 students. Well-known for placing among Princeton Review’s “Best in the Southeast” schools for six straight years, Radford is named the 34th best regional college and 13th top public university in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. Also acclaimed for the 177th best fine arts programs nationwide, the College of Visual and Performing Arts seeks to unleash the creative energy that drives our culture’s innovations.

BFA in Graphic Design

Starting with the basic concepts of design composition and layout, the BFA in Graphic Design program at Radford is focused on building the foundational knowledge necessary for students to achieve their goals in designing for print and/or digital media. With access to a state-of-the-art lab equipped with Macintosh computers and the latest software, students are trained to use their artistic abilities in creating visually powerful images. In the 120-credit curriculum, students will take courses ranging from digital painting and 3D package design to interactive motion graphics. In the final semester, seniors have the opportunity to develop a portfolio to smooth their transition into the creative workplace.

MFA Studio Art in Graphic Design

Requiring a total of 60 credits, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) Studio Art program gives Radford graduate students the ability to work closely with international faculty to further develop their creative skills as professional artists or designers. Those who choose the Graphic Design concentration will interact in small classes to advance knowledge on more complex design concepts for career promotion. Students must create a senior exhibition, complete a master’s thesis project, provide an oral defense, and pass a comprehensive exam. Before admissions, students are required to submit an artist’s statement, at least 20 recent work samples, two professional references, and transcripts showing a minimum 2.75 GPA.

Accreditations

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

801 East Main Street
Radford, VA 24142
(540) 831-5778
rbarris@radford.edu
http://www.radford.edu/content/cvpa/home/art/programs.html

Virginia Commonwealth University

School of the Arts

First founded in 1838, Virginia Commonwealth University is an elite comprehensive public research institution that serves more than 31,100 students annually from its beautiful 144-acre urban campus in the state’s capital of Richmond near the James River. Placed among the nation’s top 100 institutions by the National Science Foundation, VCU is ranked the 156th best university, 84th top public school, and 47th best college for veterans in the United States by the U.S. News and World Report. Even more importantly, the School of Arts was recognized by Creativity Magazine as one of the top 60 design schools in the world.

BFA in Graphic Design

At VCU, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design program has the primary mission of training undergraduate students with the skills to integrate form and information to effectively communicate using visual images only. Students will learn the analytical processes needed to combine art with technology and share ideas to an audience without speaking. The program offers students access to pioneering graphic design faculty, letterpress facilities, high-tech digital laboratories, an in-housing publishing firm, and other valuable resources. Graduates with this 122-credit degree will have the diverse problem-solving methodologies, intellectual thinking skills, and awareness of cultural issues to work anywhere creatively.

MFA in Design/Visual Communications

Featuring a rigorous 60-credit curriculum, the Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in Design/Visual Communications is granted to VCU graduate students who seek to assume leadership roles in the expanding graphic design profession. The program is ideal for graphic designers who are interested in performing visual or theoretical research to investigate functional or expressive design problems. Students will take courses in research methods, exhibition design, visual communications, and digital imaging before completing their master’s thesis and practicum workshop. Graduates will leave with a clear creative vision, a unique personal philosophy, and the skills to design expressive forms that communicate appropriately.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

325 North Harrison Street
Richmond, VA 23284
(804) 828-2787
arts@vcu.edu
http://arts.vcu.edu/graphicdesign/

Virginia State University

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

With membership in the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Virginia State University is a major public land-grant historically black institution serving over 6,000 diverse students on its 236-acre suburban campus in Petersburg just north of the Appomattox River. In addition to being America’s 32nd best historically black university, VSU was ranked the 92nd best regional college and 47th top public school in the South by the U.S. News and World Report. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences has a world-class vision of preparing students to assume productive leadership roles in developing our society.

BFA in Visual Arts with Graphic Design Concentration

Fully approved for excellence by NASAD, the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Visual Arts program at VSU is designed to provide undergraduate students with a solid introduction to design fundamentals and their modern application in today’s changing art media world. Students can specialize their learning by choosing a concentration in Studio Arts, Animation, Graphic Design, or Web Design. Students in Graphic Design will dive into rigorous pre-professional training on 3D design, drawing, color theory, animation, typography, life drawing, graphic design history, world art, and photography. For completion of the 123-credit degree, students will then complete an internship, present their portfolio, and finish a senior thesis.

Accreditations

National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Contact

1 Hayden Drive
Petersburg, VA 23806
(804) 524-5944
tlarose@vsu.edu
http://www.sola.vsu.edu/departments/art-and-design/major-concentrations/index.php

If you have a creative mind and find yourself doodling through class, enrolling in college to obtain a graphic design degree can help you harness your passion for art. Graphic design programs are structured to give designers a competitive edge in the job market by improving artistic skills, introducing various design concepts, practicing the newest technologies, and creating an impressive portfolio. Graphic design degrees let your true colors show by learning to communicate through visuals and images rather than words alone. Check out these top-notch accredited graphic design degree programs in Virginia to start joining this in-demand field.