At a Glance

  • Flexibility
    Part Time | Full Time
  • Delivery Options
    On Campus
  • Degree
    BFA

Our graphic design major equips you with expertise needed to become a successful professional in the field of Graphic Design.

B.F.A. in Graphic Design

Look inside UML's graphic design program, accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design

Love design, branding and visual storytelling? UMass Lowell’s BFA in Graphic Design blends creativity and technology to help you build a professional design portfolio while learning how to solve real-world communication challenges. 

You’ll dive into typography, branding, UX/UI design, motion graphics and web design—all while working with cutting-edge software and equipment like laser cutters, 3D printers and VR tools. Get personal attention through our small classes and mentorship from expert faculty. 

With connections to top employers, you’ll get experience through internships and co-ops with organizations like NASA, Disney and iRobot. This program prepares you for careers in graphic design, product design, advertising or digital media.

Career Outlook

  • $114,000

    Median annual salary for bachelor's degree holders in New England
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

  • +7.7%

    Projected job growth in New England (2023–2035)
    Source: Lightcast, 2025

What Can You Do with a Degree in Graphic Design?

Graduates from UMass Lowell's B.F.A. in Graphic Design gain a strong foundation in design, typography and web design, allowing them to thrive in a variety of fields.

Graphic design student holds a book cover design in a UMass Lowell classroom

Graphic Design major Grace Deraney credits the UML graphic design program and its faculty for preparing her as a graphic design professional.

Job roles can include:

  • Corporate design
  • Brand identity design
  • Video game design
  • Web design
  • User experience design
  • Book design
  • Package design

Meet Our Students

Rhondyna Reth poses with a group of UMass Lowell students in Paris.
Rhondyna Reth '26
Graphic Design

Rhondyna Reth is blending global experiences, cultural advocacy and graphic design at UML — a path made possible by scholarships and smart financial planning.

Through graphic design, I want to share our stories in a way that others my age can connect with and understand.
Lisett Córdoba Pren poses in her graduation cap and gown
Lisett Córdoba Pren '23
Graphic Design

Lisett Córdoba Pren found support to overcome personal tragedy and earn a degree.

I never thought that I'd have so much support from others as I did at UML.

Courses You'll Take

Sample course topics include: 

Year-by-Year Course Plan

Check out our degree pathways, which offer sample plans for completing your degree in four years.

For students who entered fall 2025 and beyond.

Freshman Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ENGL.1010/
HONR.1100		College Writing I /
First Year Seminar in Honors: Text in the City (CW)		3
ARTS.1010Art Concepts I3
ARTS.1130Digital Foundations3
ARTS.1550Drawing I3
FAHS.1090First Year Experience Seminar1
xxxx.xxxxMath Perspective (MATH) - MATH.1110 (QL) recommended13
Total16

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
ENGL.1020College Writing II (CW)3
ARTS.1020Art Concepts II3
ARTS.1560Drawing II3
ARTS.2300Typography I3
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ARHI.2030History of Art I: Prehistoric to Medieval Art (AH)3
ARTS.2100Design Studio I: Fundamentals3
ARTS.2010Form and Content (SRE)3
ARTS.3300Typography II3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ARHI.2040History of Art II: Renaissance to Modern Art3
ARTS.2610Photography I3
ARTS.3100Design Studio II: Visual Communication3
ARTS.4300Typography III3
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3
Total15

Junior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
ARTS.2200Website Design I3
ARTS.3120Design Studio II: Research and Systems3
ARTS.3150 /
ARTS.4110		Packaging and Point of Purchase /
Design in Motion		3
AEST.3600Aesthetics and Critical Studies of Graphic Design3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total15
ARTS.2210Internship3
ARTS.3200Web Design II3
ARTS.4150Design Studio III: Explorations3
ARHI.2210Twentieth Century Art (WOC)3
xxxx.xxxxSciences with Lab Perspective (SCL)3

Senior Year

Fall Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ARTS.4930Senior Studio I: Graphic Design3
ARTS.xxxxArt and Design Elective23
ARTS.xxxxArt and Design Elective23
xxxx.xxxxAesthetics and Critical Studies3
xxxx.xxxxScience, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics Perspective (STEM)3
Total15

Spring Semester

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
ARTS.4980Senior Studio II: Graphic Design3
ARTS.xxxxArt and Design Elective23
ARTS.xxxxArt and Design Elective23
xxxx.xxxxArts and Humanities Perspective (AH)3
xxxx.xxxxSocial Sciences Perspective (SS)3
Total15

Total Minimum Credits = 121

1Quantitative Literacy (QL) is fulfilled outside the Art Department requirements. The department recommends that all majors take MATH.1110 which fulfills both the Math Breadth of Knowledge requirement and the Quantitative Literacy ELO. See QL course listing for a full list of classes that fulfill this requirement. Art students may also satisfy QL by taking ARTS.3820 Art and Design of Data Visualization as a concentration elective. (This course is taught biannually).

2Art and Design Electives:

Additional Requirements

  • All students who are admitted to the BFA in Graphic Design must pass a degree milestone at the end of the second year to continue in the major. Students should create a body of work displayed in a portfolio with eight pieces of Graphic Design work from their core design, typography, and web classes to be reviewed by a faculty panel. The faculty panel will give feedback to students to help them determine the correct course path. Students at this time may be advised to move to a different degree program.
  • All designers are expected to maintain a 2.500 cumulative GPA. Students who are not able to consistently maintain this GPA could be required to change their major. Students should consult with the Graphic Design coordinator to discuss their ability to be successful in completing this degree or moving to an alternative program.
  • Transfer students who intend to apply directly to pass the requirements for BFA in Graphic Design must meet with the Graphic Design coordinator for review of their transcript and portfolio. All course requirements must be satisfied for a student to be eligible for admission to the BFA Graphic Design program.

Current UMass Lowell students should use their Advisement Report in SIS. If you need assistance, please contact your advisor.

No more than two Breadth of Knowledge courses can be taken with the same prefix. The Core Curriculum courses may be taken in any sequence. Refer to the Core Curriculum policy for further details. You should meet with your faculty advisor to determine how you will meet the Core Curriculum requirements.

Restriction on off-campus study:

Be advised that any course taken at another institution must be formally approved prior to enrollment.

See the catalog policy for details.

Breadth of Knowledge (BOK) Glossary

  • SS - Social Sciences Perspective - 9 credits
  • AH - Arts and Humanities Perspective - 9 credits
  • SCL - Sciences with Lab Perspective - 6 credits
  • STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Perspective - 3 credits
  • CW - College Writing I and II - 6 credits
  • MATH - Math Perspective - 3 credits

Read more about the Breadth of Knowledge requirements.

Essential Learning Outcomes (ELO) Glossary

  • AIL - Applied and Integrative Learning
  • CTPS - Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
  • DCA - Diversity and Cultural Awareness
  • IL - Information Literacy
  • QL - Quantitative Literacy
  • SRE - Social Responsibility and Ethics
  • WOC - Written and Oral Communication

Read more about the Essential Learning Outcomes.

Why study graphic design at UMass Lowell?

Student photographing another student with a tablet computer in a UMass Lowell studio

Cutting-Edge Technology

Our facilities offer ample studio space and current technology including:

  • Cintiq drawing tablets
  • Laser cutters
  • 3-D printers & scanners
  • Motion capture & virtual reality technology
Professor and two students review prints showing animals and text in a UMass Lowell graphic design classroom

Expert Faculty

Enjoy the individual attention we offer through our small class sizes (average size is 15 students). 

Our renowned faculty are all practitioners in their fields—and you may get to help them with research projects that include national and international exhibitions, films and books.

Graphic design student presents in front of a video screen in a UMass Lowell classroom

Student Organizations

Put your learning into practice by joining student-run clubs and organizations including: 

  • AIGA (American Institute of Graphic Arts) Student Group
  •  Art Student Union
Professor and student work at computer in a UMass Lowell interactive animation studio

Career Connected Experience: The UMass Lowell Guarantee

Every first-time, first-year UMass Lowell student will have the opportunity to pursue at least one Career Connected Experience (internships, co-ops, clinical placements, service learning, study abroad and more) during their undergraduate career — earning pay, credits or both before they graduate.

Take the Next Step

Visit UMass Lowell

Launch virtual tour

Visit campus, meet our people and picture yourself here. Find in-person and virtual tours and events.

Life on Campus and Beyond

Still Exploring Majors?

We've got 120+ programs. Browse our Program Finder to find the one that's right for you.

View All Programs