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42
Recent Graduates
There are 42 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.
96%
Student Satisfaction
96% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

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Graphic Design
Program Number: 102011
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Arts, Design and Humanities
Delivery Method:
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
65 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$11,786.25

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    Build solid skills and define your style in the graphic design field with the two-year Graphic Design associate degree at Madison College.

    Successful Graphic Design students are creative and aware of visual details. Throughout the program, students apply those strengths to projects based on technical requirements and deadlines.

    At Madison College, you'll understand design fundamentals, learn about emerging trends, and develop professional graphic design skills for big-picture projects and day-to-day tasks.

    Your Graphic Design instructors have knowledge and experience across this creative field and develop courses that combine traditional graphic arts and new media technology.

    As a Graphic Design student at Madison College, you'll have access to more than 100 computers with industry software tools for computer graphics and web page design.

    Once admitted to the Graphic Design program, you may choose to earn an additional associate degree in Visual Communications or Web & Digital Media Design with only two more semesters of study. Attend an Advising, Application, Information & More (AAIM) Session to learn how.

    Program Details

    Students in the Graphic Design program can attend full- or part time.

    Graphic Design classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus.

    Your Advantages at Madison College

    • Learn from award-winning faculty who share real-world experiences in the graphic design field.
    • Combine a foundation in traditional graphic arts styles and tools with new media and computer graphics.
    • Join the Madison College chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) to start networking while you are still in school.
    • Show your graphic design work to potential employers in Madison College’s biannual portfolio show.

    Careers in Graphic Design

    Prospective employers throughout Madison consider Madison College Graphic Design graduates top candidates. Associate degree graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of graphic design, including:

    • Graphic Designer
    • Art Director
    • Production Artist
    • Illustrator
    • Web/Interactive Designer

    Graphic design jobs are in advertising agencies, publishing companies, art studios, and advertising and art departments within companies. Madison College classes also prepare Graphic Design graduates with business skills to become freelance graphic artists.

    Students are encouraged to join the Madison College chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) to start networking while in school.

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2023-2024 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-201-102
    3 credits
    10-201-103
    3 credits
    10-201-136
    2 credits
    10-201-137
    1 credit
    10-201-181
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-804-123
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-201-151
    3 credits
    10-201-152
    2 credits
    10-201-177
    3 credits
    10-201-182
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-201-106
    3 credits
    10-201-121
    3 credits
    10-201-128
    3 credits
    10-206-129
    2 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-201-153
    2 credits
    10-201-154
    3 credits
    10-201-162
    2 credits
    10-201-184
    2 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Electives
    6 credits
    Recommended Electives
    10-201-145
    2 credits
    10-201-146
    2 credits
    10-201-147
    2 credits
    10-201-156
    3 credits
    10-201-157
    3 credits
    10-201-158
    2 credits
    10-201-163
    3 credits
    10-201-178
    3 credits
    10-201-183
    2 credits
    10-201-195
    3 credits
    20-815-200
    3 credits
    20-815-211
    3 credits
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Application Dates

      Spring 2024

      • Application open
      • Application completion deadline is January 15, 2024

      Summer 2024

      • Application open
      • Application completion deadline is June 15, 2024

      Fall 2024

      • Application open
      • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2024

      Admission Requirements

      All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

      1. Admission Application

      The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

      2. Education Completion

      Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

      • High school  transcript (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
      • GED/HSED transcript
      • College transcript(s) showing:
        • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
        • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
          • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
          • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

      All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.

      Additional Notes

      • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
      • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

      After Acceptance

      Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College. 

      Questions?

      Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

      apply for admission

      Get Started!

      Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Graphic Design career.

      It's Free to Apply

    • Transfer Opportunities

      Wisconsin Private Schools

      Students who complete the Graphic Design degree at Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College when students transfer directly from Madison College to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate Degree. Completion of the Graphic Design degree from Madison College guarantees graduates at least 55 transfer credits.
      Student who earn an Associate Degree from Madison College can transfer a minimum of 60 credits and a maximum of 72 credits to Lakeland College to be applied to the requirements of the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Sciences degree.
      Students who complete the graphic design program can transfer up to 64 credits toward the Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership offered through the College of Adult and Graduate Studies.

      Out-of-State Schools

      Students who complete any associate degree at Madison Area Technical College will have no additional general education core curriculum requirements to meet but must satisfy the Kirkpatrick Signature Series requirement. This applies to students who are pursuing a bachelors of arts, bachelors of science or bachelors of fine arts at Bellevue University.
      Students graduating with an associate degree from MATC with a 2.0 GPA or higher are guaranteed admissions into CSU-Global and can transfer up to 64 semester credits from MATC to be applied toward earning a Bachelor’s Degree at CSU-Global.
    • Career Outcomes

      After completing the Graphic Design program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:

      • Implement creative solutions from concept through completion.
      • Apply the principles of design to develop strategic marketing and communication products and services.
      • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of design software, tools and technology.
      • Apply effective legal and ethical business practices and project management skills.
      • Communicate artwork rationale in formal and informal settings.
      • Create innovative visual solutions for a variety of design, advertising, media and artistic applications.

      Graduates are fully prepared for the graphic design process including the assessment of client needs, solutions development and analysis, collaboration, concept design, client consultation, pre-press and production. These are some of the aspects of creating graphic designs and illustrations to effectively communicate clients’ messages to their target audiences.

      • Graduate Summary

        Graduate Report Summary Overview

        202020212022
        Number of Program Graduates575042
        Number of Surveys Sent575042
        Number of Surveys Returned353127
        Percent of Surveys Returned
        Available for Employment352824
        Percent Available for Employment100.00%90.30%88.90%
        Not in Labor Market
        Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%6.50%11.10%
        Available for Employment

        202020212022
        Graduates Employed252218
        Percent of Graduates Employed71.40%78.60%75.00%
        Employed in Related Occupation131612
        Percent Employed in Related Occupation52.00%72.70%66.70%
        Employed in Unrelated Occupation1266
        Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation48.00%27.30%33.30%
        Employed - No Response000
        Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Seeking Employment1066
        Percent Seeking Employment28.60%21.40%25.00%
        Reaction To Training at Madison College

        202020212022
        Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.63.6
        Number of Satisfaction Responses353027
        Very Satisfied (4)211917
        Percent Very Satisfied60.00%63.30%63.00%
        Satisfied (3)11109
        Percent Satisfied31.40%33.30%33.30%
        Unsatisfied (2)110
        Percent Unsatisfied2.90%3.30%0.00%
        Very Unsatisfed (1)201
        Percent Very Unsatisfied5.70%0.00%3.70%
        Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

        202020212022
        Number of Primary Reason Responses353027
        Preparation for Getting a Job221910
        Percent Preparation for Getting a Job62.90%63.30%37.00%
        Career Change959
        Percent Career Change25.70%16.70%33.30%
        Improvement of Existing Skills243
        Percent Improvement of Existing Skills5.70%13.30%11.10%
        Preparation for Further Education112
        Percent Preparation for Further Education2.90%3.30%7.40%
        Personal Interest112
        Percent Personal Interest2.90%3.30%7.40%
        Other001
        Percent Other0.00%0.00%3.70%
        When Employment was Obtained

        202020212022
        Number of When Employment Obtained Responses252218
        Before Enrollment333
        Percent Before Enrollment12.00%13.60%16.70%
        While Attending the College354
        Percent While Attending the College12.00%22.70%22.20%
        After Training at the College191411
        Percent After Training at the College76.00%63.60%61.10%
        Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

        202020212022
        Number of Employment Location Responses191915
        In College District171614
        Percent In College District89.50%84.20%93.30%
        In Wisconsin, Not in District000
        Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
        Outside of Wisconsin121
        Percent Outside Wisconsin5.30%10.50%6.70%
        Employer Location Unknown110
        Percent Location Unknown5.30%5.30%0.00%
        Salary Trend
        Salary Trend202020212022
        Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count999
        Average Monthly Wage$3,039$3,962$4,131
        Average Hourly Wage$17.67$23.03$24.02
        Average Work Hours per Week39.839.540.8
        Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count252
        Average Hourly Wage$17.00$21.44$16.00
        Average Work Hours per Week252427
      • Graduate Employers

        Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
        Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
        City of MadisonProgram Assistant
        Creative Marketing SpecialistsGraphic DesignerLodi
        Cricket Design WorksCreative Designer
        CUNA Mutual GroupDigital Specialist
        DesignityGraphic DesignerManhattanNY
        Hiebing GroupAssociate Art Director
        Hometown PharmacyMarketing AssociateRio
        Image WorksGraphic Designer
        SERRV InternationalGraphic Designer
        UW - MadisonCommunications Specialist
        Wisconsin National GuardWeb Project Manager
        ZebradogJunior Designer

        * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

        ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

        *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

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