Design Major: Sample 4-Year Plan

The plan listed below is designed to provide suggestions for sequencing your major courses, but there are also other ways to sequence most majors. This plan is meant to provide aid in early, provisional planning. Please consult with your academic advisor to make strategic academic decisions about which courses to take each semester.

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Sample Four Year Plan: Art (BFA), Design Track 1: Graphic Design

Semester 1

- TRU 120: First Year Seminar (3 cr)
- ART 101: Observational Drawing (3 cr)
- ART 201: Design, Software, and Process (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

Semester 2

- ART 202: Figure Drawing (3 cr)
- ART 211: 3-D Design (3 cr)
- ART 220: Layout and Type (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

Semester 3 (*)

- ART 320: Web UX/UI Design (3 cr)
- Graphic Design Elective (3-6)
- ART 337: Animation I (3 cr), OR ART 341: Motion Graphics I (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

 

(*) = NOTE: Semesters 3 or 4 may be used for Study Abroad programs.

Semester 4 (*)

- ART 219: Digital Illustration (3 cr)
- ART 340: Digital Graphics I (3 cr) (or any semester)
- Graphic Design Elective (3 cr) 
- ART 345: WE/History of Graphic Design (3 cr), OR ART 485: Internship in the Arts (4-12 cr) AND ART 486: Analysis and Evaluation of Internship (1-3 cr) (Summer term)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

 

(*) NOTE: Semesters 3 or 4 may be used for Study Abroad programs.

Semester 5

- ART 321: Concept and Design (3 cr)
- Art Studio course (6 hours, any semester) (3 cr)
- Art History course (*) (3 cr)
- JINS 3XX: WE/____________ (3 cr)
- Elective(s) AND/OR Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

 

(*) = 9 credit hours: One at 200 level, one at 300 level and one at either 200 or 300

Semester 6

- ART 420: Design & Message (3 cr)
Art Studio course (6 hours, any semester) (3 cr)
- Art History course (*) (3 cr)
- Elective(s) AND/OR Dialogues Curriculum course (3-6 cr)

 

(*) = 9 credit hours: One at 200 level, one at 300 level and one at either 200 or 300

Semester 7

- ART 421: Professional Practices (3 cr)
- ART 425: Capstone Experience/Seminar (1 cr)
- Art History course (*) (3 cr)
- Elective(s) (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

 

(*) = 9 credit hours: One at 200 level, one at 300 level and one at either 200 or 300

Semester 8

- ART 488: Capstone Experience: Design (1-3 cr)
- Elective(s) (3 cr)
- Elective(s) (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)
- Dialogues Curriculum course (3 cr)

 


NOTES:

  • WE = Writing Enhanced course
  • If you have not completed the Civics Exam, we recommend doing so in your first year.
  • Truman students are required to complete a Portfolio to graduate. We recommend starting to compile your work for the Portfolio sooner than later.
  • Students must complete their Application to Graduate the semester prior to graduating. Apply to graduate through TruView.
  • Graduating seniors need to complete their seniors test and questionnaire. We recommend reviewing the Assessment & Testing page to plan accordingly.
  • The Dialogues curriculum requires a certain number of courses/credit hours in the following Perspectives: Social, Arts and Humanities, STEM, Communications, and Statistics. The exact number of courses a student will be required to take during their undergraduate career varies individually according to the credit transferred in.

Department Chair: Please contact the Center for Academic Excellence with any updates to the plan above. Rev. 7-31-24

This is a sample course sequence to illustrate class offerings for this major. The Office of the Registrar is responsible for certifying completion of degree requirements based on requirements specified in Truman's Official Catalog.

Sample Plans for Related Majors

BA: Studio Art 4-Year Plan Design 3D: Sample 4-Year Plan Art Major (BFA, Studio): Sample 4-Year Plan

All Sample Four-Year Plans