BFA in Graphic Design
Create. Design. Compel. Earn a Graphic Design Degree.
You’ve got an eye for design and are ready to take your skills to the next level. Regent’s graphic design degree can teach you the technical foundations, industry-leading skills, and design software needed for careers in graphic design, marketing, advertising, and media integration. Study the fundamentals of design, digital photography, illustration, drawing, web design, logo development, corporate branding, and more—all from a Christian worldview.
*The BFA in Graphic Design is offered online and on-campus as a blended-campus program in Virginia Beach. Learn more about blended-campus programs.
FUEL YOUR CREATIVITY with a graphic design degree
Explore art history along with the latest in design technologies.
BUILD YOUR PORTFOLIO
Develop a professional portfolio highlighting your skill mastery and artistic talents.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
Be mentored by award-winning faculty in Virginia Beach and online. Meet the faculty.
Explore Scholarships
Explore exciting scholarship opportunities such as academic merit scholarships, honors college scholarships, and more! Learn about the scholarships for on-campus incoming freshmen: the $10,000 Freedom Scholarships, $4,000 Homeschool Scholarships and $4,000 Private School Scholarships.
ALIGN YOURSELF WITH EXCELLENCE
Regent has been ranked among the Top National Universities by the U.S. News & World Report (2025). It is also one of only 24 universities nationally “A” Rated for comprehensive liberal arts curriculum by the American Council of Trustees and Alumni (ACTA), 2022.
Please complete the Request Information form on this page to learn more about this program.
On completing the BFA in Graphic Design degree, you can:
- Create compelling visual communication.
- Develop industry-standard materials for interactive media and multi-platform campaigns.
- Evaluate visual communication strategies based on data-driven outcomes and popular culture.
Career Opportunities:
- Graphic designer
- Web designer
- Logo designer
- Layout artist
- Photoshop artist
- Creative/art director
| ANIM 115 | Intro to Sound & Motion Graphics | 3 | Fundamentals of motion graphics including basic motion graphics principles and elements, design and composition, timing and effects, storyboarding and planning, sound and music synchronization. Industry-standard computer applications introduced and applied. |
| DSGN 100 | History of Art & Design 1 | 3 | Provides a critical look at the development of art and design styles, from pre-historic cave paintings through the middle ages. |
| DSGN 105 | History of Art & Design 2 | 3 | Provides a critical look at the development of art and design styles, from the Renaissance through to today’s top artists and designers. Prerequisite: DSGN 100. |
| DSGN 110 | Design Applications & Industry | 3 | Provides a comprehensive introduction to the hardware systems, design applications and industry practice for graphic design. The lectures and class demonstrations cover the basic techniques and processes of graphic design. Basic fundamentals of professional practice, including: systems, processes, common documents; OSHA guidelines; legal issues pertinent to the creative professions; budgeting; project management: marketing will be introduced. |
| ARTA 120 | Introduction to Drawing | 3 | Students will learn observational skills and drawing techniques to enhance technical abilities and creative responses to materials and subject matter. In-depth investigation of line, perspective, space, atmosphere, erasure, and other key components of animation in a wide range of drawing media will be covered. Weekly group critiques and sketchbook assignments are integrated. |
| DSGN 121 | Fundamentals of Design | 3 | Concept and creation of two-dimensional imagery. Practice in basic principles of design, color and visual organization in traditional, digital and lens-based media. Explores the context of imagery in the larger culture and the future of art and design. |
| DSGN 125 | Vector Based Art Creation | 3 | Explores the possibilities of computer as an artist tool to create images and illustration in Adobe Illustrator. Students will develop concept and sketches, generate a number of expressive solutions, and explore illustration techniques with various styles or media, with an emphasis on computer art. Prerequisites: DSGN 100, DSGN 110, DSGN 121. |
| DSGN 130 | Image Manipulation | 3 | Introduces basic knowledge and skills in Adobe Photoshop. Students learn the terminologies, concepts, methods and techniques in image manipulation. These skills will be used as a tool for analyzing and creating various images for design. Prerequisites: DSGN 110, DSGN 120, DSGN 121. |
| DSGN 200 | Digital Photography | 3 | Introduces the techniques for taking digital photography, editing and manipulating photos in Adobe Photoshop and Camera Raw. Focuses on photographic effects and techniques used as tools for analyzing and creating various images to be used in design. |
| ARTA 201 | Comparative Anatomy & Figure Drawing | 3 | Intensive practice in correct rendering of the human and animal forms through skeletal and muscular studies looking at stationary poses as well as figures in motion and basic gesturing. Prerequisite: ARTA 120. |
| DSGN 210 | Typography | 3 | Addresses various areas of typography, from the history of typography, font attributes and categories, to the technical and artistic use of type as a means of communication. Skills in digital typography, type hierarchy and figurative typography will be developed. Prerequisite: DSGN 121. |
| DSGN 220 | Layout | 3 | Addresses the creative solutions of layout composition and digital layout skills in Adobe InDesign. Grid theory, type and imagery in page layout, hierarchy and multi-page document creation explored. How to utilize principles and creative process to develop a concept from sketches to digital layout composition. Prerequisites: DSGN 110, DSGN 121. |
| DSGN 300 | Graphic Symbolism | 3 | Explores the idea of the iconography in graphic design. Logos and other symbolic images are examined in historic and cultural contexts. Various types of logos explored. Emphasis will be on visually representing appropriate forms as graphic symbols. Prerequisite: DSGN 210. |
| DSGN 305 | Web Design | 3 | Basic understanding of web design concept, process and techniques. Introduces basic web design using HTML and CSS. Planning and designing effective web pages; implementing web pages by writing HTML and CSS code; enhancing web pages with appropriate design elements; and producing a functional, multi-page website. Prerequisite: DSGN 210. |
| DSGN 311 | Print Production | 3 | Introduces basics of print production for graphic designers, including terminology and methods, print cost estimates, font management, color use in print production and current printing technology. Prerequisite: DSGN 220. |
| DSGN 315 | Interactive Design | 3 | Investigates the current concepts, methods and technologies in the design of interactive media. The mechanics of 2-D animation with audio and interactivity will be explored. Prerequisite: DSGN 305. |
| ARTA 405 | Digital Illustration | 3 | Creation of original hand-drawn art using Digital hardware and software most particularly Photoshop. Prerequisite: ARTA 130. |
| ARTA 410 | Advanced Web Design | 3 | Delves deeper into web-related concepts, methods and technologies. Continues to develop planning, usability, content, site management, interactivity, design and production skills for web design. Advanced and dynamic web page design will be covered. Prerequisites: DSGN 305 and DSGN 315. |
| DSGN 425 | Publication Design | 3 | Investigates the underlying principles of publication design, a mainstay in the study of graphic design, including hierarchy, grid, page layout, typography, sequence and pagination, and digital publishing. Explore concepts, technologies and practices in various areas of publication designs. Prerequisites: DSGN 210 and DSGN 220. |
| DSGN 430 | Corporate Branding | 3 | Involves designing and implementing a corporate logo in a branding package which includes stationery, signage, advertising, packaging, web page and other miscellaneous items. Explores concepts of branding and relating them to corporate marketing. Research of many of the famous brands and their impact on us. Prerequisite: DSGN 300. |
| DSGN 486 | Senior Project 1 | 3 | Directs students to research and plan their own graphic design project through guided examination of some representative graphic design works and class discussion over various topics on art theory and criticism. Research, creative writing and concept development are required at this stage. Prerequisites: DSGN 425 and DSGN 430. |
| DSGN 496 | Senior Project 2 | 3 | Continuation of Senior Project 1. Students must have successfully completed Senior Project 1 before taking this course. The course focuses on the project design process, production and final project delivery and presentation. Prerequisite: DSGN 486. |
Step 1: Apply to Regent University
Submit your application using the Regent University Online Application.
Note: If you are unable to complete our application due to a disability, please contact our Admissions Office at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu and an admissions representative will provide reasonable accommodations to assist you in completing the application.
Step 2: Submit Your Unofficial Transcripts
Submit your unofficial high school or college transcripts to regent.edu/items.
Upon submitting your application, you will receive an email requesting authorization for Regent University to obtain your official transcripts from your U.S. degree-granting institution. International transcripts must be evaluated by a NACES, AACRAO or NAFSA approved agency.
Step 3: Submit Your Government-Issued ID
To ensure academic integrity, Regent University requires a copy of a government-issued ID. Please submit a scanned copy or photograph of it to regent.edu/items.
Step 4: Submit Your FAFSA
Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at studentaid.gov Regent's school code is 030913.
Please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at 757.352.4990 or admissions@regent.edu should you have any further questions about the application process.
Note: All items submitted as part of the application process become the property of Regent University and cannot be returned.
| Degree | Tuition Block Rate Per Semester | Credit Hours Per Semester | Tuition Rate Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $9,975 | 12 - 18 | $19,950 |
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $665 | Under 12 | $7,980 |
| Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $665 | Over 18 | $11,970 |
| Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester) | $665 | N/A | $1,995+ |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|
Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester) | $450 | 6 | $2,700 |
| Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester) | $395 | 12 | $4,740 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
|---|
| Degree | Tuition Block Rate Per Semester | Credit Hours Per Semester | Tuition Rate Per Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $9,493 | 12 - 18 | $18,986 |
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $630 | Under 12 | $7,560 |
| Students taking on-campus classes (fall & spring semesters) | $630 | Over 18 | $11,340 |
| Students taking on-campus classes (summer semester) | $630 | N/A | $1,890+ |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (On-Campus Students) | $850 (Fall & Spring) $700 (Summer) |
|---|
Housing Fees » | Military Admissions & Aid » | Cost of Attendance »
| Degree | Tuition Cost Per Credit Hour | Average Credit Hours Per Semester | Average Tuition Per Semester |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part-Time Students (3-11 Credit Hours Per Semester) | $450 | 6 | $2,700 |
| Full-Time Students (12+ Credit Hours Per Semester) | $395 | 12 | $4,740 |
Student Fees Per Semester
| University Services Fee (Online Students) | $700 |
|---|
What is a graphic Design degree?
A graphic design degree can teach foundational design through art history and theories while helping you learn industry-standard software needed to pursue a graphic art career. Throughout the program, you can build a portfolio that can be used for applications to internships and jobs.
What can you do with a degree in graphic design?
A degree in graphic design can help you work across industries in marketing, advertising, film, video games, technology, and more. Graphic design is multipurpose and valuable in various professions, including software development, user interface design, and product design.