| Ranking | School | City |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson State University | Jackson |
| 2 | Mississippi State University | Starkville |
Our 2022 ranking of the top graphic design school programs in Mississippi. For an explanation of the ranking criteria, click here.
The College of Liberal Arts at Jackson State University (JSU) houses the Department of Art, which is the first art program in Mississippi to be accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD). The program has maintained its accreditation since 1978. Department highlights include access to the state-of-the art Mac Lab, drawing and painting studios, smart classrooms, and a semester-long internship for Graphic Design students.
The JSU BA in Graphic Design consists of 124 credit hours of Art History, Foundations, Related Arts and Major courses. In the major, students will take courses such as Drawing I-III, Painting, Visual Thinking, Design I-III, Typography, Web Design, Computer Graphics, Advertising Art, Display Design, Printmaking, Sound Design, and Non-Western Art. In the Junior and Senior years, students will complete the Seminar on Aesthetics, Junior Graphic Design Studio I-II and Senior Graphic Design Studio I-II (Motion Graphics). A Portfolio Development course is also a major component of the BA Program.
Graduates of the Graphic Design Program at Jackson State University go on to positions at advertising agencies, magazines, book publishers, design studios, marketing firms, and web design studios, among others.
Jackson State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Established in 1877, JSU serves 7,080 students enrolled in more than 90 degree programs in five colleges including the College of Business; Science, Technology & Engineering; Life Long Learning; Public Service; and Public Health.
The College of Architecture, Art, and Design (CAAD) at Mississippi State University (MSU) houses the Department of Art, which is the state’s largest undergraduate studio art program. Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the program leads to a BFA and offers Concentrations in Graphic Design, Fine Arts, and Photography.
The BFA is a professional degree that consists of hands-on studio learning, immersive studio experiences, an optional internship, and a thesis with senior presentation. Students who wish to enter the Graphic Design Concentration must pass the Foundation Portfolio Review after completing Introduction to Computing for Art, Design I-II, Drawing I-II, and 3-D Design.
Once students enter the Concentration, they will take electives and required courses such as Graphic Design I-II, Advertising Design I-II, The Art of Typography and Layout II, Advanced Print Production, Multimedia I Design and Authoring, Advanced Studio - Computer Art and Design, and Graphic Design for the Internet.
Graduates of the Graphic Design Program at Mississippi State University are Art Directors, Packaging Designers, Book Illustrators, Exhibit Designers, Advertising Designers (print and web), Product Designers, Brand Managers, Interactive Designers, Motion Designers, Visual Information Specialists, Digital Publishers, and Creative Directors, and among others.
Mississippi State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Founded in 1878 as the Agricultural and Mechanical College of the State of Mississippi, MSU server more than 23,000 students enrolled in more than 175 programs leading to a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree. Programs at Mississippi State University are housed in eight academic colleges including Agriculture and Life Sciences; Architecture, Art, and Design; Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Bagley Engineering; Forest Resources; and Veterinary Medicine.
