Graphic Design Program FAQ

This program comprises seven required courses 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.

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.

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 3 years.

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.

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.

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.

We offer this program online.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For financial assistance, please visit our Financial Assistance webpage.

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

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.