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Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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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.
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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 SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterFourth SemesterElectives6 creditsRecommended Electives -
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Graphic Design career.
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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.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 57 50 42 Number of Surveys Sent 57 50 42 Number of Surveys Returned 35 31 27 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 35 28 24 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 90.30% 88.90% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 6.50% 11.10% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 25 22 18 Percent of Graduates Employed 71.40% 78.60% 75.00% Employed in Related Occupation 13 16 12 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 52.00% 72.70% 66.70% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 12 6 6 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 48.00% 27.30% 33.30% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 10 6 6 Percent Seeking Employment 28.60% 21.40% 25.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.6 3.6 Number of Satisfaction Responses 35 30 27 Very Satisfied (4) 21 19 17 Percent Very Satisfied 60.00% 63.30% 63.00% Satisfied (3) 11 10 9 Percent Satisfied 31.40% 33.30% 33.30% Unsatisfied (2) 1 1 0 Percent Unsatisfied 2.90% 3.30% 0.00% Very Unsatisfed (1) 2 0 1 Percent Very Unsatisfied 5.70% 0.00% 3.70% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 35 30 27 Preparation for Getting a Job 22 19 10 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 62.90% 63.30% 37.00% Career Change 9 5 9 Percent Career Change 25.70% 16.70% 33.30% Improvement of Existing Skills 2 4 3 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 5.70% 13.30% 11.10% Preparation for Further Education 1 1 2 Percent Preparation for Further Education 2.90% 3.30% 7.40% Personal Interest 1 1 2 Percent Personal Interest 2.90% 3.30% 7.40% Other 0 0 1 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 3.70% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 25 22 18 Before Enrollment 3 3 3 Percent Before Enrollment 12.00% 13.60% 16.70% While Attending the College 3 5 4 Percent While Attending the College 12.00% 22.70% 22.20% After Training at the College 19 14 11 Percent After Training at the College 76.00% 63.60% 61.10% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 19 19 15 In College District 17 16 14 Percent In College District 89.50% 84.20% 93.30% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 1 2 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 5.30% 10.50% 6.70% Employer Location Unknown 1 1 0 Percent Location Unknown 5.30% 5.30% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 9 9 9 Average Monthly Wage $3,039 $3,962 $4,131 Average Hourly Wage $17.67 $23.03 $24.02 Average Work Hours per Week 39.8 39.5 40.8 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 5 2 Average Hourly Wage $17.00 $21.44 $16.00 Average Work Hours per Week 25 24 27 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions City of Madison Program Assistant Creative Marketing Specialists Graphic Designer Lodi Cricket Design Works Creative Designer CUNA Mutual Group Digital Specialist Designity Graphic Designer Manhattan NY Hiebing Group Associate Art Director Hometown Pharmacy Marketing Associate Rio Image Works Graphic Designer SERRV International Graphic Designer UW - Madison Communications Specialist Wisconsin National Guard Web Project Manager Zebradog Junior 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
