Jun 27, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
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2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Graphic Communications, BS

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Program Description

The Bachelor of Science degree in Graphic Communications prepares students for professional careers in printing, publishing, packaging graphics, digital media, content creation, and the greater communication industry. The curriculum takes a holistic approach moving students from creative concept to actualization. With courses considering all major printing and visual communication processes, the program provides students with the opportunity to learn and grow in both an educational and a professional setting, including two internships that provide exceptional real world experience and career preparation. 

The required specialty areas of study allow students to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in specific areas of graphic communications. Coursework is heavily oriented around laboratory performance, which stresses the development of problem-solving skills in a broad cross-section of graphic mediums. With a keen understanding of the industry and a network of passionate alumni, the program has a unique grasp on the professional world. This broad and balanced education leads to in-demand careers across a wide variety of fields.

The Graphic Communications program is designed to be completed in four years (eight semesters and one or two summers). While students must take one internship during a fall or spring semester, one or two summers are typically used to make up for that semester. The department schedules courses in summers for that purpose. Taking a reduced load per term or other circumstances could extend the time needed to meet graduation requirements.

Policy on Advancement in Graphic Communications

Graphic Communications majors must earn a C or better in prerequisite GC courses before enrolling in the next level GC course. Registration priority is given to those students for whom the course is a requirement.

Change of Major into Graphic Communications

Students who change majors into Graphic Communications must have completed at least 12 credit hours at Clemson, must have a 2.0 minimum cumulative grade-point average, and must have earned a B or better in GC 1020 .

Program Requirements

Freshman Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 16

Sophomore Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Summer

Credit Hours: 1

Junior Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Summer

Credit Hours: 1

Senior Year

First Semester

Credit Hours: 15

Second Semester

Credit Hours: 12

Total Credits: 120

Footnotes

 1 Select CH 1010 , or CH 1050 , or both PHYS 1220 /PHYS 1240 , or PHYS 2000 , or both PHYS 2070 /PHYS 2090 .

2 Graphic Communications majors must complete a specialty area consisting of 12 credits beyond the coursework required for the major. Students must select ONE of the following two ways to satisfy this requirement: (1) declare and complete any minor allowed by the major; or (2) complete 12 credits of coursework selected from the following:

Any BIOL, CH or PHYS courses that satisfy the General Education Natural Science with Laboratory Requirement or ART 1030 , ART 2130 , ART 2150 , ART 3130 , ART 3150 , ART 4130 , ART 4150 , COMM 1010 , COMM 2010 , COMM 3280 , COMM 3680 , DPA 3070 , DPA 4000 , DPA 4010 , DPA 4020 , DPA 4030 , ECON 3060 , ENGL 3570 , ENGL 4500 , ENGL 4510 , GC 1990 , GC 2510 , GC 2990 , GC 3450 , GC 3510 , GC 3600 , GC 3620 , GC 3720 , GC 3730 , GC 3990 , GC 4070 , GC 4510 , GC 4900 , GC 4990 , MGT 3060 , MGT 3180 , MGT 3500 , MGT 3510 , MGT 4110 , MGT 4500 , MGT 4540 , MKT 3020 , MKT 3980 , MKT 4200 , MKT 4210 , MKT 4220 , MKT 4240 , MKT 4430 , MKT 4950 , PKSC 2200 , PKSC 3200 , PKSC 4990 , THEA 2670 , THEA 2780 , THEA 3670 , THEA 4670 , THEA 4870 , THEA 4880 , any CPSC science at the 2000 level or higher, any CHE, ECE, ENGR, IE, ME, or MSE course, or any two-semester modern language sequence. NOTE: A maximum of four credits of BIOL, CH and PHYS  courses may be used to satisfy this requirement in option two.

3 See the South Carolina REACH Act Requirement in the Academic Regulations  section.

4 See General Education Requirements .

5 One internship must be in a fall or spring semester (summer -at least 12 weeks; fall/spring-at least 15 weeks). GC 4550  will not substitute for GC 4500 .

6 Select from GC 1990 , GC 2990 , GC 3450 , GC 3600 , GC 3620 , GC 3990 , GC 4070 , GC 4450 , GC 4510 , GC 4900 , GC 4990 .

NOTE: A transfer course may not be used to satisfy the General Education Global Challenges Requirement. While a transfer course may fulfill other degree requirements, students must enroll in a Clemson course(s) on the Global Challenges list to fulfill the Global Challenges Requirement.

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