| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oklahoma State University | Stillwater |
| 2 | University of Tulsa | Tulsa |
| 3 | Oral Roberts University | Tulsa |
| 4 | University of Central Oklahoma | Edmond |
| 5 | Oklahoma Christian University | Edmond |
Our 2021 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Oklahoma. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
Oklahoma State University (OSU) was established on Christmas Day 1890. The school serves more than 36,000 students enrolled in nearly 300 programs across a five-campus system, five academic colleges, a veterinary school, and an osteopathic medical school. Nearly 25,000 OSU students are enrolled at the Stillwater campus.
The College of Arts and Sciences at OSU houses the Department of Art, Graphic Design and Art History, which offers a BFA in Art with a Graphic Design Option and an MFA in Graphic Design.
The BFA program begins with a foundation in visual communication, which allows students to develop skills in a variety of areas and media. The schools says “these skills are developed during instruction in traditional media, printing processes, and the use of industry-standard software; then applied to more difficult media such as in motion and interaction.” Highlights include App Design, Brand Identity, Interactive Design, Logo Design, Motion Design, Packaging Design, Packaging Graphics, Promotional Design, Symbology, Television & Film Graphics, Typography, UI/UX Design, Wayfinding, & Web Design. An internship is also part of the program.
BFA students graduating portfolio work will include “a variety of media from graphic design, motion design, and interaction design, such as posters, billboards, branding, logo and symbol design, website design, app design, television and film graphics.” With a “vast range of design work,” the program prepares students to pursue careers in Graphic Design and Advertising, or continue their education in Fine Arts MFA programs across the nation. Potential job titles include Art Director, Advertising Designer, Creative Director, Environmental Designer, Interactive Designer, Motion Graphics Designer, Package Designer, Publications Designer, Typographer, UI/UX Designer, & Web Designer.
Recent graduates of the program have been hired at Matchfire, Masterwork Artistry, Museum of East Texas, Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition, and many others.
The OSU MFA is “the only graduate program specializing in a unique combination of Interaction Design, Motion Design and Visual Communication in Oklahoma and in any other Higher Education Institution in the region.” The program is a three-year, sixty credit hour, and terminal degree that “will develop students’ expertise as graphic designers in Interaction Design and Motion Design, while developing their research, presentation and writing skills.”
Course highlights for the program include Graduate Seminar, Graphic Design Graduate Studio, Interaction Design Graduate Studio, Motion Design Graduate Studio, and Teaching Practicum. A Thesis and off-campus summer internship are also part of the program.
MFA graduates will be able to “respond to both the creative demands of the graphic design profession and the research and teaching requirements of academia.”
Founded in 1894, University of Tulsa (TU) is a private, doctoral degree-granting, coeducational institution that serves nearly 4,000 students. The school offers 67 undergraduate, 47 graduate, and 10 doctoral programs in six colleges and schools. The College of Arts and Sciences houses the School of Art, Design, and Design History, which offers BA and BFA degrees in Art with a Graphic Design Emphasis.
The program “offers students a chance to learn the creative process in traditional and new media, software skills, and design responsibility,” says the school. These skills “place students at the heart of design thinking and innovation.”
Students in the program participate in variety of courses including, Branding and Advertising, Book Design, Motion Graphics and Animation, Package Design, Print and Digital Design, and Typography. “Classwork helps designers find their own voice and perspective in today’s design world.”
Job opportunities for graduates of the program include Animator, Art Director, Graphic Designer, Multimedia Artist, and many others. Graphic Design alumni employers include Nike, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Philbrook Museum of Art, 108 Contemporary, RBMM Brand Design Studio, Scrambler Creative, Havas International, and Robert Green and Associates, to name a few.
Oral Roberts University (ORU) was founded in 1963 by Christian Televangelist Granville Oral Roberts. The school serves more than 4,000 students enrolled in over 80 undergraduate majors, 16 master's programs, and five doctoral programs in six colleges.
The College of Arts & Cultural Studies “offers an undergraduate curriculum which encompasses significant areas of liberal arts knowledge—fine arts, humanities, languages and literature,” says the school. The College houses the academic departments of Communication and Media, History, Humanities & Government, English & Modern Languages, Music, and Theatre, Dance & Visual Arts.
The Department of Theatre, Dance & Visual Arts offers a BFA in Art, with a Graphic Design Specialization, which follows the guidelines established by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). Course highlights for the program include Digital Photography, Graphic Design I-IV, Motion Design, Graphic Design Studio, Typography, and Web Design.
During the final year of the program, students will complete Practicum Infield Study/Senior Project, an internship, and portfolio.
Graduates of the ORU Graphic Design Program work in Advertising, Animation, Brand Design, Creative Direction, Design Instruction, Graphic Design, Mass Media Communication, Photography, and Web Design.
Founded in 1890, the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO) serves nearly 15,000 students enrolled in nearly 200 programs at the schools main campus in Edmond and facilities throughout the metro area. Programs are offered in seven colleges.
The College of Fine Arts and Design (CFAD) at UCO houses the Department of Design (est. 2001). UCO is the first university in the region to house its design programs, Graphic Design and Interior Design, in their own School of Design. Options for aspiring graphic designers include a BFA and a Minor in Graphic Design. An MFA in Art is also available.
The BFA program consists of 124 credit hours of study including the Design Electives, Graphic Design requirements and the University Core. Graphic Design includes three areas: Design Foundation, Graphic Design, and Professional Preparation. Course highlights include Advertising Design, Computer Graphics I-IV, Design Foundations I-IV, Graphic Design Practice, History of Graphic Design I-III, Illustration I-III, Information Graphics, Package Design, Prepress Production, and Typography.
Elective and professional preparation course highlights include Advanced Bookmaking, Advanced Letterpress, Bookmaking & Prototyping, ClockTower Studio, Design Entrepreneurship, Environmental Illustration, Ink Tank, and Study Tour in Design. Portfolio Development and a Design Apprenticeship are also offered.
The MFA is designed for students who are interested in design education, research, and proficiency. The 60 credit hour program includes heavy graphic design coursework. Sample courses include Computer Graphics Studio, Design Studio I-III, History of Graphic Design I-III, Illustration Studio, and Typography Studio. The UCO MFA is a terminal degree.
Oklahoma Christian University (OC) was founded in 1950 as Central Christian College. When it opened, the school had just 97 students. Today, OC serves more than 2,200 students enrolled in more than 100 programs, including BFA and BS degrees in Graphic Design. A 21 credit hour Minor in Graphic Design is also available.
BFA in Graphic Design students will learn Illustrator, InDesign & After Effects, and Photoshop. Course highlights include Business of Advanced Media Production, Audio or Media, Branding Yourself, Editing and Field Production, Elements of Visual Thinking, Interactive Media Design, Media Production, and Motion Graphics. Students may also specialize in areas such as Digital Art, Gaming and Animation, Illustration and Fine Arts, and Photography and Videography.
The BS in Graphic Design requires a Minor. Suggested options include Business, Communication Studies (Photography and Videography), Gaming and Animation, Marketing, and Writing (Content Writing and Copywriting). Course highlights include Advanced Graphic Design, Conceptual Illustration, Digital Imaging, Graphic Arts Production, Integrated Marketing Design, Print+Digital Delivery Design, Typography as Visual Language, and Visual Storytelling.
Highlights for both programs include Capstone courses, guest speakers, field trips and internship opportunities. Graduates will leave the programs with a professional portfolio of their best work. Career opportunities include Advertising, Animation, Art Direction, Graphic Design, Illustration, Motion Graphics, Publishing Web Design, and more.
