All bachelor-level degrees in the School of Visual Communication Design require a combination of visual arts and liberal arts courses. The School offers three baccalaureate programs of study: The Bachelor of Arts (BA), the Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), and the Bachelor of Science (BS). The decision of which degree is best for a particular student depends on the student’s educational and career goals, academic standing, and performance in studio coursework.
According to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Bachelor of Arts is a liberal arts degree that focuses on design and illustration “in the context of a broad program of general studies.” Following a successful Sophomore Review, students may continue into the fourth semester of the 123 credit-hour degree program. In addition, the program requires that students complete an internship, a 300-hour, off-campus experience that allows the student to apply theory to a professional situation. Generally, the student intern receives degree credit and monetary compensation for the internship experience.
Bachelor of Arts majors are required to choose a minor, a secondary area of study to complement the major. Suggested minors for VCD majors include: Advertising, Communication Studies, Organizational Communication, Digital Sciences, Photo Illustration, Electronic Media, Public Relations, Management or Entrepreneurship for Non-business Majors, Business, Marketing, Public Communications, Health Communication, Fine Art Studio, Visual Journalism, or Language.
Download the BA roadmap for 2012-2013
Download the BA Program Requirements for 2012-2013
Download the computer requirements for fall 2013
According to the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the Bachelor of Fine Arts is “the professional degree” and “focuses on intensive work in the visual arts supported by a program of general studies.” The School of Visual Communication Design BFA degree program consists of approximately two-thirds of the course work in the “creation and study of the visual arts,” with the remainder in general studies. Because of the greater emphasis on upper-level studio courses, the BFA allows majors the opportunity to build greater expertise in a given area of the field.
Following a successful Sophomore Review and with a 2.75 GPA in the major, students may continue into the fourth semester of the 126 credit-hour BFA degree program. In addition, the program requires that students complete an internship, a 300-hour, off-campus experience that allows the student to apply theory to a professional situation. Generally, the student intern receives degree credit and monetary compensation for the internship experience. During the final semester of study BFA graduates are required to present an exit portfolio for public display.
Download the BFA roadmap for 2012-2013
Download the BFA Program Requirements for 2012-2013
Download the computer requirements for fall 2013
The Bachelor of Science in Photo-Illustration provides the student with a comprehensive program of study balancing a liberal arts education with studio offerings in digital photography. Grounded in formal, technical and conceptual skills building, the Photo-illustration program focuses on the profession of photography as it relates to commerce. The School of Visual Communication Design BS degree program builds a photography professional through experiential learning opportunities as well as through required courses in graphic design and multimedia.
The BS in Photo-Illustration requires portfolio reviews at both the sophomore and junior levels for purposes of general assessment. In addition, the 127 credit-hour degree program requires that students complete an internship, an off-campus experience that allows the student to apply theory to a professional situation. Generally, the student intern receives degree credit and monetary compensation for the internship experience.
Download the BS in photo-illustration roadmap for 2012-2013
Download the VCD Camera List
Download the VCD design minor requirements
Download the VCD photo illustration minor requirements
Download the Kent State University Core requirements sheet