Graphic Design Requirements

Qualifying Examination Policy

While all interested students may declare the Graphic Design pre-major at the first-year level, a mandatory competitive Qualifying Examination occurs at the end of the spring Semester of the 1st year. A limited number of students will be invited to declare the Graphic Design Major and to continue in the program based on the student's Qualifying Examination scores and the program's resources. Non-qualifying students will be denied continuation and required to drop the pre-major.

Laptop Policy

A laptop computer is strongly recommended, especially after the student passes the first qualifying portfolio examination. The Graphic Design and Design Studies programs use Macintosh computers. The MacBook Pro is recommended. Once students are enrolled at TCU, they can subscribe to specialized software including Adobe CC at a reduced rate.

Field Trips

Field trips may be required by instructors of any course. Every effort will be made to ensure that these trips do not conflict with other portions of a student's schedule.

Honors College

Graphic Design majors who plan to pursue Departmental Honors must be accepted by the Honors College. They must remain enrolled in the Honors College through completion of course. They must enroll in course during their junior year, and course during the next-to-last semester of their senior year.

Transfer Students

Transfer students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA in design and present a portfolio or photographs/slides of their work for evaluation by the Department of Graphic Design at least one week prior to registration or at the time of advisement.

Graphic Design Pre-major

Students intending to major in Graphic Design or Design Studies must declare "graphic design pre-major (GDPM)" until passing the Qualifying Examination, immediately following the completion of the four first-year design foundation courses at the end of the spring semester. Students must receive a six out of ten or higher to qualify for the Graphic Design major. If the number of students who score above a six exceeds the capacity of the program, then the students with the highest scores will be accepted. Any tie will be broken by the cumulative GPA within the foundation courses.