Graphic Design Degrees and Certificates

Major in graphic design!

Have you declared your major? Do you need to change your major? It’s never been easier!

Fill out the Change of Major PDF form (PDF)
Use the Major Program code: GDSN-S

This form needs to be filled out and downloaded, then emailed to Admissions and Records from your Río Hondo email address. If you do not submit your petition through your Río Hondo email, you are required to send a snapshot of a photo ID along with your request for it to be processed.

Note: Some graphic design majors are being advised to transfer as a Studio Art major with an AAT. While this may be the best option for some students, it is not the best option for most students as it does not guarantee a specific campus or major.

Studio Art transfers may have to take additional studio art classes before they can change their majors at the transfer institution. This may lengthen the time it takes to earn your undergraduate degree and may incur extra costs. We advise all transfer students to speak with multiple counselors and faculty at Río Hondo, and the targeted transfer institutions to develop the best strategy that fits their unique circumstances. Don’t just follow the advice of a single person. Get all the necessary information and make an informed choice.

View the Graphic Design Information sheet (PDF) for more information.

Courses

Spring ’25 Available Courses (PDF)

Degrees and Certificates

Associate of Science, Degree in Graphic Design

This degree is a broad comprehensive series of Graphic Design courses and related programs in the Arts Division. Acquiring this degree is a great achievement! It will assist in transferring to a four-year university and/or in gaining employment in Graphic Design and related fields. Click the Employment link to see how many jobs a Graphic Designer can have! As we have been busy building and refining our program, we’ve updated our A.S. Degree to reflect these changes which is why you may see different versions.

Note: We have been updating this degree as we have added courses to the program. If you began here at Río Hondo during these updates, you are eligible to apply for this degree as it originally appeared in the College Catalog during the update period.
See a counselor for all information pertaining to the recent A.S. Degree versions.

Course requirement-substitution may be made
for students wishing to obtain the A.S. Graphic Design degree.
Please consult with Professor Gardos in S302 for details: [email protected]
A.S. Graphic Design Degree Required Courses(PDF)
Associate of Art, Degree in Graphic Art and Design

Designed for students interested in visual arts and graphic design. This degree combines traditional visual art topics with
practical graphic design skills. Acquiring this degree is a great achievement! It will assist in transferring to a four-year university and/or in gaining employment in Graphic Design and related fields.

View the Graphic design jobs page to see how many jobs a Graphic Designer can have!

Course requirement-substitution may be made for students wishing to obtain the A.A. Graphic Design degree. Please consult with Professor Gardos in S302 for details: [email protected]

As of Fall 2016, course prefix changes are as follows:
ART 164 class is now GDSN 164 | ART 165 class is now GDSN 165 | ART 178 class is now GDSN 178*
*For ART 164 students, You may need a PreReq Waiver Form to enroll in GDSN 165
*For ART 178 students, You may need a PreReq Waiver Form to enroll in GDSN 179
The GDSN prefix courses will count the same as the previous ART prefix courses towards the degree.

A.A. Degree in Graphic Art and Design Requirements (PDF)
Certificates of Achievement
Start taking the courses below and they will count towards earning the certificates. These “bite-sized” certificates share courses and are easy to earn. They are a good way to show employers your expertise & experience. The certificates also build toward the Graphic Design A.S. Degree Course requirement-substitution may be made.
For students wishing to obtain any of the above 12-unit the Graphic Design COAs. Please consult with Professor Gardos in S302 for details: [email protected]
Certificate of Achievement, Entrepreneurial Graphic Design

The curriculum in this certificate provides foundational entrepreneurial preparation for students entering a freelance graphic design career and/or starting a small graphic design business. The certificate combines the entry-level small-business management and marketing skills and intermediate/advanced graphic design skills needed to participate as an entrepreneur in the graphic design profession.

View the Graphic design jobs page to see how many jobs a Graphic Designer can have!

Entrepreneurial Graphic Design Requirements (PDF)

Course requirement-substitution may be made for students wishing to obtain the Entrepreneurial Graphic Design COA, please consult with Professor Gardos in S302 for details: [email protected]

Graduation Information

Graduation Petition
Visit the Río Hondo College Graduation Information Page to start your Graduation Petition! You must fill this out to earn a Certificate and/or a Degree! Please contact a counselor for help if needed!

Deadlines:
- Fall- First Friday in November
- Spring- First Friday in April
- Summer- Third Friday in July
Badges
To receive your badge(s):

Send an email to Professor Gardos, [email protected] indicating which badges you qualify for.

Include the following:
- For the GDSN Major and/or the GDSN Outstanding Student badges:
- An optimized PDF copy of your unofficial or official transcript that shows your declared major is graphic design and/or shows that you have received a 3.0 or above for all classes.
For any GDSN Certificate of Achievement (CoA) and/or either the GDSN AS or AA Degrees:
- An optimized PDF copy of your Certificate and/or OR an email from a counselor or Admissions and Records stating that you have not yet received your CoA and/or Degree
  but have submitted paperwork and will be receiving it.
Remember, if you are short a class for a CoA and/or a Degree,
we may be able to work with you. Contact us!

Please submit all required paperwork by the end of the second to last week of the term.

Badge Flyer (PDF)