Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Graphic Design

Boston University’s Graphic Design Post-Baccalaureate program offers students a one-year, full-time intensive study in graphic design. The program includes core graphic design studios and typography requirements and allows students to choose elective courses based on their specific interests and career goals. For students with little prior coursework in graphic design, this certificate program prepares them for further study or enhanced professional opportunity.

Requirements include a completed online application, a digitally submitted portfolio of current graphic design and/or related work that displays a candidate’s visual and content-related interests, two letters of recommendation, official transcripts of all colleges/universities attended, an artistic resume, a non-refundable application fee of $95, and a one-page personal statement indicating the applicant’s personal and professional goals and how the certificate program will help them accomplish them.

After one year of study, students receive a Post-Baccalaureate Certificate. Alternately, upon positive faculty review, students have the option of transferring to the Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program and completing the MFA degree program in the next academic year.

Graphic Design Post-Baccalaureate Curriculum

CFA AR 781, 782 Post Bac Graphic Design Studio 16 cr
CFA AR 601 Graduate Typography 4 cr
Graphic Design electives (2 cr courses) 6 cr
CFA AR 640 Professional Practice: Internship 4 cr
Total 30  cr

Studio Elective Options:

  • CFA AR 502 Branding (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 573 Design and Animation (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 576 Motion Graphics (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 577 Editorial Publication (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 581 Web Design 1 (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 582 Web Design 2 (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 587 Info Design (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 594 Graphic Design Theory (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 595 Visual Systems (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 597 Experience Design (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 589 Interactive Design (2 cr)
  • CFA AR 593 Design Lab (2 cr)

For additional application information, please visit our website.