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34
Recent Graduates
There are 34 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
92%
Job Placement
92% job placement within six months of graduation.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% 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:
68 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

$12,504.32

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 2024-2025 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
    10-201-110
    2 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 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is January 15, 2025

    Summer 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is June 15, 2025

    Fall 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025

    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

    Outlines guaranteed admissions and efficient transfer for Madison College students who complete AAA in Graphic Design transferring to Edgewood College's Graphic Design major.
    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.
    Bachelor of Science in Business Management and Leadership

    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.
    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

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates504234
      Number of Surveys Sent504234
      Number of Surveys Returned312727
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment282425
      Percent Available for Employment90.3%88.9%92.6%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market6.5%11.1%7.4%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed221817
      Percent of Graduates Employed78.6%75.0%68.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation161213
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation72.7%66.7%76.5%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation664
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation27.3%33.3%23.5%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment668
      Percent Seeking Employment21.4%25.0%32.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.63.63.5
      Number of Satisfaction Responses302727
      Very Satisfied (4)191714
      Percent Very Satisfied63.3%63.0%51.9%
      Satisfied (3)10913
      Percent Satisfied33.3%33.3%48.1%
      Unsatisfied (2)100
      Percent Unsatisfied3.3%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%3.7%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses302727
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%3.7%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses221817
      Before Enrollment334
      Percent Before Enrollment13.6%16.7%23.5%
      While Attending the College543
      Percent While Attending the College22.7%22.2%17.6%
      After Training at the College141110
      Percent After Training at the College63.6%61.1%58.8%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses231817
      In College District161414
      Percent In College District69.6%77.8%82.4%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District430
      Percent of In Wisconsin17.4%16.7%0.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin213
      Percent Outside Wisconsin8.7%5.6%17.6%
      Employer Location Unknown100
      Percent Location Unknown4.3%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count998
      Average Monthly Wage$3,962$4,131$5,127
      Average Hourly Wage$23.03$24.02$29.81
      Average Work Hours per Week39.540.839.8
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count523
      Average Hourly Wage$21.44$16.00$24.00
      Average Work Hours per Week24.027.025.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Big Frog Custom T-ShirtsGraphic Design ConsultantNashvilleTN
      Brainstormer StudiosCreative Director
      Clark Johnson DesignGraphic Designer
      FlagrantDesigner
      GreenhausGraphic Designer & Creative DirectorNew YorkNY
      Hiebing GroupArt Director/Graphic Design Intern
      Image WorksGraphic Designer
      Image WorksGraphic Designer Intern
      Madison TopGraphic Designer
      Ricoh USAPrint Production SpecialistMiddleton
      SplunkSenior UI/UX EngineerSan FranciscoCA
      Suttle StrausGraphic DesignerWaunakee

      * - 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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Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!