Spring 2025 Catalog
Graphic Design
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This area is in the School of Design and Communication within the COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION .
Graphic Design
Matthew Groshek, Area Coordinator
Office: NFAC 181
Email: mgroshek@uwsp.edu
Web: https://www3.uwsp.edu/schoolofdesign/Pages/major/Graphic%20Design.aspx
Faculty: M Groshek, H McDermott, S Morris
Definition: The Graphic design major at UW-Stevens Point prepares students of diverse backgrounds to become creative professionals skilled in a variety of design processes and approaches to visual communication. Our curriculum provides the foundation for research-based inquiry and offers opportunities for teamwork, project management, personal discovery and community engagement.
Accreditation: The Graphic Design Area is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). It is one of five such accredited programs in the UW System.
Enrollment Management Plan
The Graphic Design Area is a limited enrollment program. Students admitted to the university are accepted into graphic design in order of application. We encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Professional Opportunities in Graphic Design
Programs of study in the Graphic Design Area prepare you for careers in corporate & not for profit in house positions, ad and design agencies, freelance opportunities, consulting work, or developing your own business.
Recommended High School Preparation
In addition to the university requirements for admission and entry into the graphic design program, high school courses in art and design are highly recommended. If you are planning to enter the professional graphic design (Bachelor of Fine Arts) program, four years of English, one year of algebra, two years of foreign language, and two years of science in high school are recommended.
General Requirements for Graphic Design
The Graphic Design Area offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees. See the previous section of this catalog entitled General Education .
Courses for Non- Graphic Design Majors
Subject to availability, courses in the graphic design Area are open to all students who meet the prerequisites and secure School permission. You do not need prior consent for courses that are open to non-art majors.
Exhibition Material
The Graphic Design Area reserves the right to retain examples of student work for exhibition purposes.
Visiting Artist and Scholar Program, and Edna Carlsten Gallery
The Graphic Design Area also maintains an ongoing program of visiting artists and scholars to supplement the curriculum, and a cooperative schedule of operations and exhibitions with the Edna Carlsten Gallery, housed in the Noel Fine Arts Center. The gallery regularly displays traveling shows and exhibits for student and public viewing.
Course Fees for Graphic Design
Fees are charged for certain courses to cover the cost of consumable materials.
Academic Standards for Graphic Design
As a graphic design student you must first meet the academic entrance requirements of the university. Since individual development is an expectation, you should be prepared to present a portfolio of design work for review and evaluation periodically throughout the program as requested.
Transfer credits:
Please refer to the university policy on transferred credits in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.
Credits in Residence:
Any student transferring into graphic design from another institution must complete a minimum of 21 credits within the department for the BFA degree.
Entry status:
All entering graphic design majors (freshmen, changes of major, and transfers) are accepted into the graphic design program. Acceptance into the graphic design BFA is achieved by passing the BFA Portfolio Review, as described below.
The Graphic Design Area has the following standards for continuation in its programs:
Graphic Design Foundation Requirement:
You need a 2.67 or higher GPA in the graphic design foundation (graphic design Foundation and Art History Foundation combined), including transfer credits and regardless of any declaration of academic forgiveness, to maintain your status as an art major and to qualify for the BFA Portfolio Review. The foundation consists of DSN 101 , DSN 102 , DSN 103 , DSN 104 , MSTU 105 , and 6 credits of 100-level Art History.
BFA Portfolio Review:
Students are required to pass the BFA Portfolio Review for admission into the Graphic Design program. The review is conducted by graphic design faculty. Prior to taking the review, you must complete DSN 101 , DSN 102 , DSN 103 , DSN 104 , MSTU 105 and six credits from other studio courses in the School of Design & Communication. The review should take place in your sophomore year. You may attempt the BFA Portfolio Review only once.
If you do not pass the BFA Portfolio Review, you are encouraged to work with your adviser and may elect to submit an Appeal or enter another degree program. Example programs are the BA in the Art & Art History Area, the BFA in Integrated Studio, the BS in Media Studies, or the BFA in Interior Architecture. Each of these degree programs has its own requirements that would need to be met.
BFA Portfolio Review Appeals Process:
You may appeal the results of your Portfolio Review or other action taken by the Graphic Design Area based on the School’s requirements and policies that are set forth in this catalog. You must appeal in writing to the assistant dean within 30 days of notification of the action taken. The assistant dean will determine whether an additional a review is appropriate. If so, a review team, composed of a faculty member appointed by the assistant dean and a faculty member that you select, will review the matter and give a recommendation to the assistant dean.
BFA Review - Reconsideration Review:
You may be reconsidered for acceptance into the BFA after the School’s Academic Appeal 30-day limit has passed. This appeal must be made to the assistant dean and must include three letters of support from graphic design or art and art history faculty who have worked with the student in the classroom. The appeal will automatically trigger a new BFA review by a review team made up of faculty members from Graphic Design. The new review must take place within 30 days of receiving the final letter of support. A reconsideration review may be attempted once.
BFA Requirement:
In order to complete the BFA program, you must satisfy the graphic design foundation requirements, pass the BFA Portfolio Review, and maintain a 2.67 or higher GPA in all graphic design courses. This includes transfer credits and applies regardless of any declaration of academic forgiveness. For graduation, you must also successfully pass ART 491.
Test-Out and Credit-by-Exam Policy for Art & Design
The Graphic Design Area has test-out and credit-by-exam procedures for all General Education Program (GEP) requirement art courses. If you wish to test out and receive credit-by-exam, you must first confer with the faculty member who teaches the course about requirements for the exam and grading procedures. If you pass the exam, the GEP requirement will be waived, you will receive credit for the course, and the course may count toward an art major and/or minor if appropriate.
The cumulative exam will consist of a specific exercise or series of exercises different from those used in the existing course. In a course with a significant research component, you may be required to do an appropriate project. You may take a test-out/credit-by-exam test only once.
Probation for Graphic Design Major
If your GPA is below the minimum requirement, you will receive a warning that your academic status is unsatisfactory. If your GPA falls below the minimum requirement for two consecutive semesters, you will be dismissed as a major. The School of Design & Communication’s policy on repeating courses and academic forgiveness requires prior School authorization, but is otherwise the same as general university policy, except where higher School GPA requirements apply.
Academic Appeal
You may appeal any action taken by the School of Design & Communication that is based on School requirements and policies that are set forth in this catalog. You must appeal in writing to the assistant dean within 30 days of notification of the action taken. The assistant dean will determine whether a review is appropriate.
Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
The School of Design & Communication works cooperatively with the Disability Resource Center to ensure that qualified students with disabilities are provided equal access and accommodations appropriate to their disability in their academic programs and pursuits.
Students with a graphic design major who have a documented disability may qualify for services through the UW-Stevens Point Disability Resource Center. Depending on the student’s individual needs as related to their disability, they may utilize accommodations that could include, but not limited to, classroom, testing, reading and writing accommodations as appropriate. Inquiry or referral for accommodation services should be directed to the Coordinator of the Disability Resource Center.
ProgramsBachelor DegreesCoursesGraphic Design
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