The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design integrates an understanding of the creative design process with strategic thinking and a concern for the context and experience of the user. The communication design program is accredited by the National Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) and offers a professional degree.
The undergraduate program positions students to go on to pursue an advanced degree or to enter the profession immediately upon graduation. Graduates seek careers in web design, user interface design (UI), user experience design UX, mobile app design, service design, information design, packaging, branding, and publication design.
Advising Requirement
Advising is mandatory for this program. Consult your department advisor or program coordinator for information.
Laptop Requirement
Students need a laptop for this program. Consult with the department for hardware and software requirements. Discounts are available through the Chico State Wildcat Store.
E-advising Tools
Use the interactive e-advising tools designed to help students graduate within four years. These tools can be accessed through the Student Center in the Portal.
Grading Requirement
All courses taken to fulfill program course requirements must be taken for a letter grade except those courses specified by the department as credit/no credit grading only.
Some courses require a minimum grade to progress in the program. Minimum grade requirements, including those listed on course requisites, are considered graduation requirements.
Course Requirements for the Major: 87 units
Completion of the following courses, or their approved transfer equivalents, is required of all candidates for this degree. Courses in this program may complete more than one graduation requirement.
Portfolio Requirement
The successful completion of a Portfolio Review is necessary for entry into upper-division graphic design coursework. The portfolio comprises work from ARTS 125, MADT 110, MADT 210, MADT 283, and MADT 285 and is reviewed by communication design faculty.
See Bachelor's Degree Requirements for complete details on general degree requirements. A minimum of 39 units, including those required for the major, must be upper division.
General Education Requirements: 43 units
See General Education and the Class Schedule for the most current information on General Education requirements and course offerings.
This major has approved GE modification(s). See below for information on how to apply these modification(s).
ANTH 283 is an approved major course substitution for Social and Behavioral Sciences (4).
MADT 331 is an approved major course substitution for Upper-Division Arts and Humanities (UD-3).
American Institutions Course Requirements: 6 units
The American Institutions graduation requirement, as mandated in Title 5, Section 40404, requires that students satisfactorily complete courses in United States history, the US Constitution, and government and American ideals (including California state and local government). At Chico State, HIST 130 meets the US history requirement (US-1), and POLS 155 meets the US Constitution and government requirement (US-2) and the California state and local government requirement (US-3). POLS 155 also fulfills three units of GE Area 4, Social and Behavioral Sciences. See Bachelor’s Degree Requirements for more information.
Diversity Course Requirements: 6 units
You must complete a minimum of two courses that focus primarily on cultural diversity. At least one course must be in US Diversity (USD) and at least one in Global Cultures (GC). See Diversity Requirements for a full list of courses. Many courses taken to satisfy these requirements may also apply to General Education.
Upper-Division Writing Requirement
Writing Across the Curriculum (EM 17-009) requires you to take four Writing (W) courses, two of which are upper-division courses designated for your major. Specifically, you must:
Take one Writing (W) course.
Take one Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GW) course.
Complete a GE English Composition (1A) course before taking the GW course.
Earn a grade of C- or higher to receive GW credit.
See Writing and Math Requirements for details on additional writing requirements you need to complete for graduation.
Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) are clear, measurable statements that describe how students demonstrate mastery of the knowledge, skills, and values of the discipline as appropriate to the degree. Graduates of this program are expected to achieve the following PLOs:
Write and think critically.
Recognize the principal theories and practices of mediated communications.
Identify the issues and ethics of the media professions.
