Professional Program in Graphic Design

Lulu Wang
is a Product Designer at Bill.com.

Graduate, Professional Program in Graphic Design
Read Lulu Wang's Story

Getting Started

Enroll in Visual Design Principles.

Online Availability

You can complete this program fully in the Live Online format.

Duration of Study

Complete seven required courses by studying part time or full time.

Estimated Cost

$6,770

Graphic design shapes the visual and social culture. The fundamentals of graphic design—exciting ideas, effective communication and historical context—are essential to everyone working in the field. Compelling and informative graphic design informs all aspects of our life: apps, product packaging, marketing collateral, mass media. These visual concepts inform and influence consumer behavior on a daily basis.

The Professional Program in Graphic Design offers a study of timeless design principles, accompanied by an appreciation of historical and current design trends. Learn from industry professionals to build a comprehensive portfolio and advance in the field. By studying the latest tools and techniques—including the Adobe Suite—your portfolio will include visual design, packaging, branding, motion design and editorial design for both print and digital formats.

Frequently Asked Questions for Graphic Design

Curriculum Requirements

The curriculum comprises 7 required courses for a total of 14 semester units (228 hours of instruction). Candidates must pay a nonrefundable program registration fee.

You must take all courses for a letter grade. To receive the Award of Completion, you must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.5, with a grade of C or better in each course. All coursework must be completed within three years.

You can complete this program in as few as two terms. If you want to study full-time, you can take four courses during the first term and three in the second (or vice-versa). All courses are held in the evening, Monday–Thursday from 6:30–9:30 pm. Also, some courses are offered during the day on Saturdays.

How to Register

By registering, you declare your intention to complete the curriculum. To register online for the Professional Program in Graphic Design, complete these two steps:

Submit the online registration, and complete your student account profile if you are a new student.
Pay the nonrefundable registration fee through your shopping cart. Please allow 3–5 business days for the registration to appear in your student account.

Estimated Cost

Each course is priced individually, and you pay the course fee at the time of enrollment. The required courses for the program have an estimated cost of $6,553 (not including course materials and courses for further advancement, or registration fee). Course fees are subject to change.

Certificate and Award Request

Once you have completed the program coursework, notify UC Berkeley Extension that you have completed the curriculum and request your Award of Completion. Send an email to extension-graphicdesign@berkeley.edu or call (510) 643-8916. After your records have been reviewed, verified and approved (usually within two to three weeks), your award of completion will be mailed to you.

Additional Information

Frequently Asked Questions for Graphic Design

What kind of program is this?

This program comprises seven required courses (listed in the right column of this page) that develop your skills in the area of graphic design. Although not a degree program, you receive a certificate on completion of the coordinated set of courses that attests to your mastery of a targeted subject area.

How much does the Professional Program in Graphic Design cost?

You pay individually for each course as you enroll. The total cost for all seven courses is $6,770. You also must pay a $100 program registration fee. There are additional costs for materials and textbooks. Check the individual course listing for textbook and materials information.

How long does it take to complete the program?

Completion time is up to you and your availability. On a full-time basis, you could complete the program in two semesters by taking four courses in the first semester and three in the second semester. On a part-time basis, you could complete the program in less than four semesters by taking two courses in each semester. You must complete the program in a maximum of 2.5 years.

How do I enroll in courses?

Enroll through our website. Go to the course that you wish to register for, read the course description and section information, and then use the Add to Cart button and follow the on-screen instructions. You must pay for the course in full at the time you enroll.

When are our courses offered?

All of our required courses are offered each semester (Spring, Summer and Fall), with the exception of the Graphic and Web Design Portfolio, which is only offered in Spring and Fall each year.

When are the information sessions?

The info sessions are listed on the right-hand column of this page (just before our course offerings). We host info sessions throughout the year in Spring (January to March), Summer (May) and Fall (August). Info session recordings are also available on our program page.

Can I take graphic design courses online through UC Berkeley Extension?

We offer this program online.

Is UC Berkeley Extension academic credit transferable?

Each institution has its own criteria for what it does or doesn't accept. You should contact the school directly and ask about its transfer criteria.

Advisory Board

Can I take the courses in any order?

We highly recommend that you take the courses in the order they appear on our website from top to bottom. In addition, several courses have prerequisites.

You must take InDesign before you take Typography Fundamentals.
You must complete the other six courses before you enroll in Graphic and Web Design Portfolio.

Can I succeed in the Professional Program in Graphic Design if I have never taken a design or studio course before?

Yes! Even if you haven't been in school for a while or have never taken an art or design course, you can succeed in this program. We will teach you the fundamentals and build your skills. It is, however, even more important to take the courses in order if you don't have prior design experience.

How many courses should I take per term?

We have talked with many of our successful students about this issue. If you are working full-time, 1 to 2 courses per term is manageable. If you are not working and going to school full-time, 3 to 4 courses per term is recommended.

Are internships available?

We receive requests from companies for student interns regularly. We then forward these internship opportunities to our students via email, as well as through our social media accounts. You could also visit our Berkeley Global Career Services for more information.

When do I learn about and enroll in courses for future terms?

Normally, courses are posted on our website four to five months prior to when they begin. Also, our Art and Design department and Marketing department will send you reminders via email.

What kind of financial assistance can I obtain?

For financial assistance, please visit our Financial Assistance webpage

Can I transfer credit from a college or university?

No, we do not accept transfer credit from other universities or colleges.

Can I substitute courses?

Generally we do not allow you to substitute courses. Exceptions, however, can be made on a case-by-case basis, especially if you have taken a course at another institution in the last 5 years with similar number of hours and the same number of units or higher. In addition, we will study your body of work from that particular course to see if it meets UC Berkeley Extension standards. If the substitution is granted, you must still choose another course from the UX and graphic design offerings to replace the course you are opting out from. We have a list of such Related Courses of Interest on the program webpage.

Professional Program in Graphic Design

Getting Started

Online Availability

Duration of Study

Estimated Cost

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Required Courses

Courses for Further Advancement

Prerequisites

Curriculum Requirements

How to Register

Estimated Cost

Certificate and Award Request

Videos

Additional Information

What kind of program is this?

How much does the Professional Program in Graphic Design cost?

How long does it take to complete the program?

How do I enroll in courses?

When are our courses offered?

When are the information sessions?

Can I take graphic design courses online through UC Berkeley Extension?

Is UC Berkeley Extension academic credit transferable?

Advisory Board

Can I take the courses in any order?

Can I succeed in the Professional Program in Graphic Design if I have never taken a design or studio course before?

How many courses should I take per term?

Are internships available?

When do I learn about and enroll in courses for future terms?

What kind of financial assistance can I obtain?

Can I transfer credit from a college or university?

Can I substitute courses?