Certificate

Graphic Communications

The Graphic Communications program teaches students the basics of print and web design utilizing Adobe Creative Cloud software. With successful completion of this 12-month online program, graduates will be able to visually communicate concepts and ideas for print and web design; produce and present work for a professional client/designer environment; format and design press-ready pieces; design, host and maintain websites using web technologies; and brand and represent companies via web and social media.

$53k

graphic designer median salary

Graduates will possess the knowledge, skills, and competencies to:

Demonstrate understanding of design software commonly used in industry
Understand and develop an effective use of typography and design
Design and develop web pages along with social media content
Identify and/or produce copy for advertising, packaging and web design
Understand the effective use of color in design
Develop cohesive branding/identity for corporations, products and services
Demonstrate an understanding of the printing process, printing substrates and finishing processes
Understand copyright and Digital Rights Management

Industry Employment Opportunities

advertising agencies
design studios
corporate art departments
newspapers

magazines
TV and radio station design departments
printing businesses

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Graphic Communications Certificate

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Degree from LTU

Associate of Applied Science in

Graphic Design

Designed for students transferring from the Graphic Communication certificate. Join our NASAD-accredited Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design program to prepare for a career in this dynamic field. Our program will give you a solid foundation in the fundamentals of graphic design, including typography, color theory, design principles and methodologies, and professional practice. The program is designed to be flexible, so you can tailor your studies to your interests and career goals through elective.

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Bachelor of Fine Arts

Graphic Design

Designed for students transferring from the Graphic Communication certificate. Join LTU's Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design program, and you'll be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in the dynamic field. Our program encompasses the latest advancements in interactive and digital design, all while ensuring a solid grounding in graphic design fundamentals. You'll learn user experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design, digital product design, branding, motion graphics and more. You'll also gain hands-on experience through real-world projects and professional scenarios, putting your learning into practice. We don't just teach technical skills; we're dedicated to nurturing your creative thinking and problem-solving abilities, essential qualities for your success in a career in graphic design and related fields.

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Specs@LTU FAQs

A trade school in Southfield, Michigan named after its founder, Specs Howard. This school was absorbed by LTU in early 2021 into its Professional Development Program

All Specs@LTU classes take place on LTU's campus in Southfield, Michigan. The classes are structured to meet two times a week over the course of three semesters. Students can apply for Fall and Spring semesters. The Graphic Communication program is fully online.

Specs@LTU is a certificate program that is part of LTU's Professional Development Program. Students can choose from the following three programs: Broadcast Media Arts, Digital Media Arts, and Graphic Communication.

Upon admission, all admitted Specs@LTU students are awarded a $10,000 scholarship off of the total cost of tuition for the entire program ($16,900). This brings each student’s out-of-pocket responsibility for tuition to $6,900. There is no need to come with equipment, and with no added cost for books, there is no program like it nearby. We cannot accept any financial aid for any certificate program (non-degree seeking). We offer multiple flexible payment plans for students to pay tuition and recommend that students do not pay their tuition in one lump sum. For questions regarding tuition and payment plans please reach out to Student Accounting at ltupayments@ltu.edu.

No, there are no books required for any of the Specs@LTU programs!

Yes! LTU's Academic Achievement Center is available to all students for tutoring needs. LTU also offers an online tutoring system called TutorMe, which is free to students. Class sizes are small, and you will have plenty of time to work with your instructor!

Yes! Students are encouraged to work with the Office of Career Services to explore internship and job opportunities.

At this time, no. Classes are currently offered throughout the week from 10:00 am until 2:30 pm.

Fill out and submit an application above (select the orange box of the semester you want to begin courses in). Send us a copy of your official or unofficial high school transcript. We do not accept high school diplomas in lieu of your high school transcript. We do not require entrance exams, or test scores like the ACT or SAT. Once we receive your application and transcript, we are quick to process applications. Students can expect to hear back regarding their admission decision typically within a week.

All next steps after your admission decision has been released to you will be on your student status page. You may login at www.ltu.edu/statuspage.

Specs@LTU students will always register with the University Advising Center throughout their Specs@LTU academic career. For first-time students, after admission and paying the $50 enrollment deposit, you will be prompted to register for your University Advising appointment on your student status page.

Yes, Specs@LTU students can live in University Housing! Specs@LTU students are considered full-time students if they are taking both required courses per semester, equating to 11 credits total per semester. If you are interested in living on campus, you will be able to begin the housing process on your student status page post-admission.

Yes, Specs@LTU students can rent an LTU laptop for a refundable $200 deposit, Post-admission, students are given instructions for renting an LTU laptop on their student status page. We encourage students to use their own personal laptops if they own one.

You can find payment plan options here .

Graphic Communication graduates can articulate into the Graphic Design degree program. Students transfer into the degree program and complete their degree in just three years (after Specs@LTU) so that no extra time is added to the degree. Broadcast Media Arts and Digital Media Arts graduates can transfer 24 credit hours in our Media Arts and Production associates and/or Media Communication bachelors. Students may choose to articulate from the certificate to the associates then to the bachelors or articulate directly from the certificate to the bachelors. Students who have completed their Specs@LTU certificate program and wish to continue their education at LTU in a degree program must submit a transfer application . If a student had previously taken college-level courses at another institution, those official transcripts must be sent to admissions@ltu.edu prior to acceptance into the degree-seeking program.

Where can I get my old Specs Howard transcript/Specs@LTU transcript? You can talk to Avery Thomas at athomas@ltu.edu or 248.204.3118.

Who can I talk to about program specific questions, career goals, or specific information about the classes I will be taking? You can talk to Jeremy Anderson at janderso4@ltu.edu or 248.204.3140.

Where can I get a co-op/internship/job? You can talk to the Office of Career Services at ltuocs@ltu.edu or 248.204.3140.

Who can I talk to about tuition or payment plans? You can email ltupayments@ltu.edu .

Who can I talk to about the admissions process or transferring credits to a degree program at LTU? You can reach out to Morgan Hess at mhess@ltu.edu or 248.204.3109.

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Certificate

Graphic Communications