Quinnipiac University

Three Quality Quinnipiac Degrees for Graphic Design Jobs

Quinnipiac University appears in our ranking of the Top 8 Affordable Online Graphic Design Master’s Degrees.

At Ed McMahon Center, the School of Communications provides a 120-credit, four-year BA in Graphic & Interactive Design headed by Dr. Ewa Callahan for Quinnipiac University Bobcats to take 15-week Hamden courses like Visual Storytelling, join the AIGA Chapter, study abroad, and showcase their talents during Portfolio Day. Chaired by Dr. Pattie Belle Hastings, the BA in Game Design & Development builds a 120-credit, NEASC-accredited curriculum where undergrads can get creative in Rocky Top Center, compete at GameFest, and complete the Quinnipiac in Los Angeles internship for 100 percent job placement.

Online on Blackboard, the MS in Interactive Media & Communications follows a 30-credit, 21-month path advised by Dr. Phillip Simon for intensive 500-level courses from Content Creation to Motion Graphics with a 14:1 student-teacher ratio through the practice-based capstone project.

About Quinnipiac University

Quinnipiac University originated in 1929 when businessman Samuel W. Tator and his wife Irmagarde Tator opened the Connecticut College of Commerce for organizational studies. In 1931, the College awarded associate degrees to its inaugural class of eight graduates. In 1935, it was renamed the Junior College of Commerce. Closed briefly during World War II, it quadrupled its enrollment numbers in 1945. In 1951, Governor John Davis Lodge signed legislation authorizing the college’s first Bachelor of Science. In 1952, it acquired control of Larson College and selected the Quinnipiac College name. In 1966, Quinnipiac relocated from New Haven to Hamden near Sleeping Giant Park. In 1972, Quinnipiac College organized its earliest Master of Science program. In 1988, Quinnipiac launched one of America’s premier public opinion polls. In 1995, it merged with the University of Bridgeport School of Law. On July 1, 2000, the Quinnipiac University title was adopted.

Endowed for $526.6 million, Quinnipiac University now employs 350 full-time faculty teaching 7,425 undergrad and 2,782 post-grad Bobcats from 53 countries online, on its 600-acre Mount Carmel campus, or at two extensions from York Hill to North Haven with 145+ clubs like Lambda Pi Eta. In 2018, Quinnipiac earned the IIDA New England Best in Show Design Award. In 2017, QU won the Online Learning Consortium’s Digital Learning Innovation Award. Quinnipiac University had the 2017 Edward Netter Award for Business and Industry Award recipient too. The U.S. News & World Report ranked Quinnipiac the 153rd best college and 109th best for vets school. On Niche, QU boasts America’s 301st best Greek life, 220th best athletics, and 352nd top private education. The Wall Street Journal picked Quinnipiac University 216th overall. The Princeton Review named QU 31st for undergraduate game design.

Quinnipiac University Accreditation Details

On March 22, 2010, Quinnipiac University announced that the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (CIHE) reaffirmed the Level VI accreditation status through 2019-20 under President Judy Olian, PhD, who received the Maryland Association for Higher Education Award of Innovation. Located 147 miles northeast via Interstate 91 in Burlington, this superb six-state New England Region accreditor is authorized by the U.S. Education Department to review QU’s 58 bachelor’s and 43 graduate degrees. Further, Quinnipiac became a National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA) member on March 22, 2017.

Quinnipiac University Application Requirements

Enrollment at Quinnipiac University is classified “moderately difficult” by Peterson’s because only 16,305 of the 22,071 Fall 2018 applicants were chosen for competitive 74 percent acceptance. First-year Bobcats seeking the BA in Graphic & Interactive Design must complete 16+ college-prep high school courses graded C or better. The School of Communications has a test-optional policy for freshmen with GPAs above 3.3. The Class of 2022 presented an average secondary GPA of 3.47. Mid-range admitted SAT scores were 490-590 for reading and 490-600 for math. The middle 50th percentile had ACT scores of 22-27. Eligible transfers competing for the 250 spots each semester need 30 or more college credits at 2.5 and higher GPAs. Non-native English speakers should exceed the 550 TOEFL or 6.5 IELTS minimum. The Online MS in Interactive Media & Communications mandates four-year bachelor’s degrees from regionally accredited colleges. Cumulative GPAs of 3.0 and greater in the last 60 credits are necessary. Entrants are evaluated based on design portfolios and experiences rather than GRE scores.

Quinnipiac University has freshman deadlines of November 1st for Early Decision and February 1st for Regular Decision. BA in Graphic & Interactive Design transfers can apply until April 1st for Fall or November 15th for Spring starts. The School of Communications recommends international students file before March 1st. Online MS in Interactive Media & Communications cohorts are considered through July 15th and November 15th. Accordingly, complete the QU or Common Application online for $65 ($45 if graduate). Forward institutional transcripts to 275 Mount Carmel Avenue in Hamden, CT 06518. Directly send tests using SAT/TOEFL code 3712 or ACT code 0582. Submit supplemental materials, such as the 500-word personal statement, two recommendations, current resume, 1,000-word writing sample, and electronic design portfolio. Contact (203) 582-8600 or admissions@qu.edu with questions.

Tuition and Financial Aid

For 2019-20, Quinnipiac University is billing full-time undergrads $23,395 each semester or $46,790 annually. BA in Graphic & Interactive Design majors cover the $1,700 mandatory student fees. Technology fees total $720 each year. Room and board for the Hamden campus’ dorms like Dana English Hall adds $15,140 yearly. QU budgets $800 for books and $2,000 for miscellaneous expenses. Annual undergrad attendance equals about $65,300 on-site or $53,460 with parents. Studying part-time incurs $1,075 per bachelor’s credit. Summer and J-Term courses are discounted to $770 per credit. Online MS in Interactive Media & Communications students spend $1,055 per credit. The School of Communications Accelerated 3+1 Dual programs charge $43,640 by year.

According to the NCES College Navigator, the Office of Financial Aid in Echlin Center gets 99 percent of beginning full-time QU Bobcats enrolled with tuition assistance averaging $22,979 each for $44.30 million combined. The Roberta B. Willis Scholarship supports Connecticut high school graduates with an estimated family contribution of $12,390 or less. The Freshmen Scholarship gifts $7,000 to $30,000 annually to first-year applicants meeting the 1100 SAT or 22 ACT minimum. The Transfer Student Scholarship has a March 1st deadline for undergrads carrying GPAs above 3.3 to earn $6,500 to $20,000. Since 1923, the Connecticut Community Foundation has developed 130+ funds like the Brown-Garrison Memorial Scholarship, Richard Corey Memorial Scholarship, Palladin Scholarship, Patricia Yarborough Scholarship, and more. Nutmeg State residents can claim up to $7,875 from the Connecticut Independent College Student Grant. Federal programs, such as the Pell Grant and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, are also available with FAFSA applications coded 001402.

Keep reading about Quinnipiac University at the School of Communications website.