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Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design (Major)
The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design program at Hesed University equips students with a strong biblical foundation and creative expertise, integrating Christian mission with art and design. The program prepares students to engage visual communication as a form of vocational calling, enabling them to communicate with purpose, clarity, and impact in ministry, professional, and cultural contexts.
◼ Program Goals
Aligned with the Institutional Mission and Bachelor’s Degree Program Goals of Hesed University, the Graphic Design program seeks to prepare graduates who:
Aligned with the Institutional Mission and Bachelor’s Degree Program Goals of Hesed University, the Graphic Design program seeks to prepare graduates who:
- Develop and design visual communication systems that integrate diverse media, technologies, and cultural contexts.
- Apply fundamental principles and processes of visual communication with clarity, intentionality, and professional discipline.
- Incorporate research and analysis into the design process to inform concept development and problem-solving.
- Collaborate effectively within multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams in academic, professional, and ministry settings.
- Utilize current and emerging design technologies responsibly to support professional practice.
- Apply research, analytical, and critical-thinking methods to address complex design challenges.
- Demonstrate functional knowledge of industry-standard design practices, workflows, and ethical standards.
- Engage in experiential learning opportunities, including internships or entrepreneurial fieldwork, to connect theory with practice.
- Integrate a biblical understanding of artistic creation with personal vocation and professional identity as a graphic designer.
- Create meaningful visual narratives that reflect Gospel values and serve the mission of the Church and society
◼ Graduation Requirements
To graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, undergraduate students must fulfill the following requirements:
To graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Graphic Design, undergraduate students must fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete a total of 120 semester credit hours, including:
- 45 semester credit hours of Bachelor’s Degree General Education
- 55 semester credit hours of Graphic Design major requirements
- A minimum of 17 semester credit hours of Graphic Design major electives
- 3 semester credit hours of approved open electives
- Satisfactorily complete all Chapel and Christian Service requirements, which are co-curricular and required for graduation.
- Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 (C average) in all academic coursework completed at Hesed University and a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the Graphic Design major.
- Successfully complete all required courses in the Graphic Design curriculum, including any final project, capstone, or portfolio requirements as specified by the program.
- Adhere to the degree requirements as outlined in the Academic Catalog for the academic year in which the student initially enrolled.
- Satisfy all financial obligations to the University prior to graduation.
◼ Time Limit
The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design degree program is designed to be completed within four years of full-time study. All degree requirements must be fulfilled within six years from the initial date of enrollment, except in cases of extenuating circumstances. Students who do not complete the requirements within the six-year period must apply to the Registrar’s Office for an extension. Extensions are granted on a yearly.
The Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design degree program is designed to be completed within four years of full-time study. All degree requirements must be fulfilled within six years from the initial date of enrollment, except in cases of extenuating circumstances. Students who do not complete the requirements within the six-year period must apply to the Registrar’s Office for an extension. Extensions are granted on a yearly.
◼ Curriculum
🞕 Bachelor’s Degree General Education (45 credits)
Additional details are provided in Section 5.3, Bachelor’s Degree General Education.
1) Bible and Theology (12 credits)
2) General Education Foundation (15 credits)
3) General Education Distribution (18 credits)
🞕 Bachelor’s Degree General Education (45 credits)
Additional details are provided in Section 5.3, Bachelor’s Degree General Education.
1) Bible and Theology (12 credits)
- a. Required Courses (10 credits):
- BIBL100 Old Testament Survey (2 credits)
- BIBL110 New Testament Survey (2 credits)
- HIST110 History of Christianity (2 credits)
- THEO100 Introduction to Theology (2 credits)
- MISS210 Faith and Vocation: Art and Architecture as Mission (2 credits)
- b. Bible Elective (Choose one, 2 credits):
- BIBL210 Biblical Hospitality and the Arts (2 credits)
- MISS220 Business as Mission: Theology and Practice (2 credits)
- LANG230 Biblical Hebrew and Visual Language (2 credits)
- LANG240 Biblical Greek and the Art of the Word (2 credits)
2) General Education Foundation (15 credits)
- a. Critical Thinking (3 credits)
- MINS205 Cultivating a Christian Mind (3 credits)
- b. Communication & Information Literacy (3 credits)
- SOCI150 Research & Writing (3 credits)
- c. Civic & Global Engagement (3 credits)
- HIST230 Global Civilization and Christian Thought (3 credits)
- d. Social & Scientific Inquiry (6 credits)
- SOCI110 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
- ENVS101 Environmental Science (3 credits)
3) General Education Distribution (18 credits)
- a. Critical Thinking & Ethical Reasoning (6 credits)
- THEO220 Introduction to Christian Ethics (3 credits)
- DESN210 Introduction to Design Thinking and Problem Solving (3 credits)
- b. Communication & Expression (3 credits)
- COMM130 Speech & Communication (3 credits)
- c. Civic & Global Engagement (3 credits)
- COMM220 Intercultural Communication (3 Credits)
- d. Natural / Information Science & Mathematics (6 credits)
- DIGI110 Foundations of Digital Communication Tools (3 credits)
- MATH101 Quantitative Reasoning (3 credits)
🞕 College Chapel and Christian Service (Co-curricular Requirement)
Additional details are provided in Section 5.4, Bachelor’s Degree Chapel and Christian Service.
Additional details are provided in Section 5.4, Bachelor’s Degree Chapel and Christian Service.
- PRAC010 College Christian Service (0 units)
- PRAC011 College Chapel (0 units)
🞕 Graphic Design Major Requirements (52credits)
| Category | Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| Art History & Theory | ARTH100 | Art History: Iconography 13th–14th Century | 3 |
| Art History & Theory | ARTH205 | Symbolism in Art | 3 |
| Art History & Theory | ARTH220 | History of Graphic Design | 3 |
| Art History & Theory | ARTH230 | Introduction to Art | 3 |
| Art History & Theory | ARTH300 | Contemporary Art History | 3 |
| Foundation Studio | FARI101 | Fundamental Drawing | 3 |
| Foundation Studio | FARI105 | Basic Perspective | 3 |
| Core Graphic Design | GDES100 | Basic Graphic Design | 3 |
| Core Graphic Design | GDES200 | Typography I | 3 |
| Core Graphic Design | GDES240 | Visual Layout | 3 |
| Digital & Media Design | DCAP200 | Digital Imaging | 3 |
| Digital & Media Design | GDES250 | 3D Modeling | 3 |
| Digital & Media Design | GDES300 | Web Design | 3 |
| Advanced Design Practice | GDES410 | Publication Design | 3 |
| Advanced Design Practice | GDES420 | Information Design | 3 |
| Professional Integration & Capstone | GDES480 | Graphic Design Senior Project | 3 |
| Professional Integration & Capstone | GDPT201 | Design Ministry Internship I | 3 |
| Professional Integration & Capstone | GDPT202 | Design Ministry Internship II | 3 |
| Professional Integration & Capstone | GDPT203 | Design Ministry Internship III | 3 |
| Professional Integration & Capstone | GDPT301 | Design Ministry Internship IV | 3 |
🞕 Graphic Design Major Electives (Minimum 20 credits)
| Category | Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| Advanced Foundation Studio | FARI102 | Intermediate Drawing | 2 |
| Advanced Foundation Studio | FARI110 | Color Theory and Design | 3 |
| Design Strategy & Concept Development | GDES401 | Design Thinking | 3 |
| Design Strategy & Concept Development | GDES330 | Typography II | 3 |
| Brand & Identity Systems | GDES400 | Corporate Identity | 3 |
| Interactive & Motion Media | GDES340 | Interactive Design | 3 |
| Interactive & Motion Media | GDES440 | Animation | 3 |
| Interactive & Motion Media | DCAP320 | Digital Video | 3 |
| Professional Practice & Ministry Internship | GDPT302 | Design Ministry Internship V | 3 |
| Professional Practice & Ministry Internship | GDPT303 | Design Ministry Internship VI | 3 |
| Professional Practice & Ministry Internship | GDPT401 | Design Ministry Internship VII | 3 |
| Professional Practice & Ministry Internship | GDPT402 | Design Ministry Internship VIII | 3 |
Open Electives (3 credits)
Students must complete 3 credits of open electives, selected from introductory-level (100–299) undergraduate course, subject to academic advising and program approval.
Students must complete 3 credits of open electives, selected from introductory-level (100–299) undergraduate course, subject to academic advising and program approval.
