Graphic Design

Saint Joseph’s University’s Graphic Design program aims to increase students’ competitiveness for employment and provide hands-on experience through partnerships with local advertising and design firms. The program will foster both interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary programming at Saint Joseph’s.

By graduation, students will be career-ready with a unique skill-set they gained from the program. Graduates will have strong foundational skills in design, digital media and interactive media. Students will develop these skills through: 

  • Solving Communication Problems
  • Carrying projects from Creation to Completion
  • Using Relevant Industry-Standard Graphics Software
  • Creating and Develop Visual Concepts
  • Applying Principles of Visual Communication for Various Target Audiences
  • Building a Professional Portfolio
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What Sets Our Program Apart

  • Graduates of this program will have the opportunity to work with an external client/agency as part of their capstone project. The capstone course will be taught in a team-based model allowing students to work with one another in a group setting and understanding the team-dynamic in graphic design.

  • As students in the graphic design program become more familiar with the design process and elements, as well as industry software, they will have the opportunity to learn from a leading advertising agency in New York City. Students will work alongside the agency to develop a multi pronged integrated ad campaign.

  • This program will be taught by faculty from the art and art history department, communication and media studies department, and marketing department providing students with an acclaimed group of knowledgeable and experienced faculty. In fact, 100% of our tenure-track faculty hold the highest degree available in their field.

  • The graphic design major and minor combines the seven building blocks of design: form, color, space, line, shape, value and texture, with key skills such as, research, creative thinking, problem solving, design theory and strategic analysis.

    Students in this program will learn to develop graphics and layouts for product illustrations, company logos, ad campaigns, interactive media and websites. This will allow students to help expand internal Saint Joseph’s publications such as The Hawk.

What Can I Do with a Degree in Graphic Design?

Design is a powerful tool that helps shape messages and can bring awareness to a vast number of issues. We recognize design’s ability to enable individuals to think critically about the world around them and to engage in socially aware practices. 

For those with a creative vision for their future, graphic design is a good career choice. If you operate in an increasingly digital field, you can work from anywhere in the world. You can find stable work in a multinational firm, work on marketing campaigns with local businesses, or freelance by choosing your own clients and working on your own schedule. Graphic design is a field that is constantly evolving, providing students with multi-faceted career opportunities. 

Graduates with a minor in graphic design often go into graduate programs to earn degrees such as  MS in Marketing, MBA or MFA in Graphic Design, while others go on to pursue the following careers:

  • Graphic Designer
  • Creative Director
  • User experience (UX) Designer
  • User interface (UI) Designer
  • Production Artist
  • Product Developer
  • Art Director
  • Marketing Specialist
  • Multimedia Artist or Animator
  • Video Producer
  • Social Media Manager

Program Details

  • View required courses for this program in the academic catalog. Please contact us if you have any questions about the program curriculum.

  • The full tuition for Graphic Design students entering fall 2023 is $51,140. *Pricing does not include room and board, health insurance or any professional, clinical or transportation fees. Visit our Tuition & Fees page for a detailed breakdown.

    Financial aid in the form of scholarships, federal and state grants, loans and graduate assistantships, as well as discount eligibility, may be available to you to help offset the cost of your degree. Explore your options on our Financial Aid page.

Why Study Graphic Design in Philadelphia?

The Graphic Design major and minor prepares students for freelance or entry-level careers in design. Students are prepared to meet the demand of working with deadlines, clients, art directors, and budgets. Philadelphia offers a strong market for introductory careers in design. As the curriculum at Saint Joseph’s University is taught by field experts, graduates will have the opportunity to gain experience and networking contacts from faculty,  which they will apply to their job searches with leading Philadelphia companies in-need of graphic designers. Our proximity to New York also offers graduates the potential to pursue a wider variety of opportunities in a larger city. 

Admission Information

To apply for the graphic design major, Saint Joseph's University accepts the Common Application and Saint Joseph's Application. 

First-year applications open on August 1 each year, with Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision options. Transfer applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Learn more about the application process here.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Graphic design is a form of digital communication to convey information using text and graphics or images to a target audience. The text and graphics used will differ depending on the audience and publication of your design - whether it will be on social media, TV, magazines, etc.

  • Students in this program will be working with Adobe softwares including Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator.

  • The average annual salary for a graphic designer in Philadelphia is $61, 701.

Explore Other Degree Programs

Communication Studies

As a communication studies major, you will gain knowledge and experience to pursue a career in media, journalism, public relations, marketing, advertising, law, film and more.

Marketing Major

A marketing degree from Saint Joseph’s University provides you with the knowledge, skills and experience needed to stand out from the crowd in today’s ever-changing digital marketplace. This program is offered on campus, giving you hands-on experiences and networking opportunities with renowned marketing experts.

Commercial Photography Minor

The commercial photography minor at Saint Joseph’s University will help you develop the technical skills needed to produce commercial work within the food, entertainment, advertising and digital marketing industries. The minor also includes coursework focused on the necessary business acumen needed to work in these fields including job estimates, pitching clients and working in creative teams.

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