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Financial Aid Available-
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 Video Audio Design or User Experience & Interaction 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 2025-2026 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 SemesterElectives3 creditsRecommended Electives -
Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and complete the International Admission Process.Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2026
Summer 2026
- Application available after September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is June 15, 2026
Fall 2026
- Application available on September 15, 2025
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2026
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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.
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
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 LeadershipOut-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.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 42 34 50 Number of Surveys Sent 42 34 50 Number of Surveys Returned 27 27 36 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 24 25 34 Percent Available for Employment 88.9% 92.6% 94.4% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 11.1% 7.4% 5.6% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 18 17 24 Percent of Graduates Employed 75.0% 68.0% 70.6% Employed in Related Occupation 12 13 15 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 66.7% 76.5% 62.5% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 6 4 9 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 33.3% 23.5% 37.5% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 6 8 10 Percent Seeking Employment 25.0% 32.0% 29.4% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.6 3.5 3.5 Number of Satisfaction Responses 27 27 35 Very Satisfied (4) 17 14 19 Percent Very Satisfied 63.0% 51.9% 54.3% Satisfied (3) 9 13 16 Percent Satisfied 33.3% 48.1% 45.7% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 3.7% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 27 27 36 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 Other 3.7% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 18 17 24 Before Enrollment 3 4 2 Percent Before Enrollment 16.7% 23.5% 8.3% While Attending the College 4 3 7 Percent While Attending the College 22.2% 17.6% 29.2% After Training at the College 11 10 15 Percent After Training at the College 61.1% 58.8% 62.5% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 18 17 24 In College District 14 14 19 Percent In College District 77.8% 82.4% 79.2% In Wisconsin, Not in District 3 0 3 Percent of In Wisconsin 16.7% 0.0% 12.5% Outside of Wisconsin 1 3 2 Percent Outside Wisconsin 5.6% 17.6% 8.3% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 9 8 7 Average Monthly Wage $4,131 $5,127 $3,712 Average Hourly Wage $24.02 $29.81 $21.58 Average Work Hours per Week 40.8 39.8 39.4 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 3 5 Average Hourly Wage $16.00 $24.00 $16.50 Average Work Hours per Week 27.0 25.0 13.5 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Cricket Design Works Graphic Designer Democratic Party of Wisconsin Social Media & Graphic Design Intern Dept of Veterans Affairs Marketing Specialist Empire Photography Photographer Endless Knot Rugs Graphic Designer Madison Area Technical College Graphic Design (Casual Employee) Misty Mountain Games Graphic Designer Mueller Sports Medicine Inc Graphic Designer Prairie du Sac Pacific Cycle Graphic Design Intern Pop-Dot Marketing Graphic Design Intern Roger's Behavioral Health Graphic Design Specialist Oconomowoc YMCA Graphic 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
