Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Graphic Design, associate degree

Award information

Degrees and certificates by number of terms to complete

Award	Length (attending full-time)	Financial aid eligible	Currently accepting students?
Associate Degree: Graphic Design	2 years		Limited entry, see how to apply to Graphic Design

Learn more about Graphic Design »

Courses

Course listing for the 2026-2027 catalog year.

Plan of Study Grid

Summer Term		Credits
COMMM 111Z	Public Speaking *,z	4
GD 120	Graphic Design I	3
First Term
ART 131A	Drawing I *	4
GD 114	Introductory Typography	3
GD 150	Digital Illustration 1	3
Second Term
GD 116	Intermediate Typography	3
GD 122	Graphic Design 2	3
GD 140	Digital Page Design 1	3
GD 151	Digital Illustration 2	3
Third Term
ART 214	History of Graphic Design *	4
GD 124	Graphic Design 3	3
GD 141	Digital Page Design 2	3
GD 160	Digital Imaging 1	3
GD 182	Screen Design Principles	3
Fourth Term
GD 221	Graphic Design 4	3
GD 239	Illustration for Graphic Designers	3
GD 244	Print Strategies	3
GD 249 or GD 280A	Design Studio or Cooperative Education: Graphic Design	3
GD 260	Digital Imaging 2	3
Fifth Term
ART 272 or ART 273 or ART 274	Printmaking I Screenprinting or Printmaking I Intaglio or Printmaking I Relief	4
GD 222	Graphic Design 5	3
GD 228	Professional Graphic Design Practices	3
GD 242	Combined Graphic Programs	3
General Education: 1 course
Sixth Term
ART 140A	Introduction to Digital Photography *	4
BA 239 or BA 235	Advertising or Social Media Marketing	3
GD 229	Portfolio Preparation	3
Graphic Design Art Elective		3
General Education: 1 course
All General Education courses must be completed by end of this term.
	Total Credits	92

*

Could be used as General Education

Z

This course is part of Oregon Common Course Numbering. COMM 111 and COMM 111Z are equivalent.

All 200 level GD and ART classes must be passed with a ‘C’ or higher.

Transfer to PSU

The Graphic Design program provides one-on-one training for students to apply for PSU’s Sophomore Portfolio Review process. Completing PCC’s Associate of Applied Science Graphic Design degree enables graduates the opportunity to apply a “Block Transfer” of all PCC GD credits toward the PSU’s Graphic Design BFA program, entering in the Junior year.