Which Graphic Design Schools Are Located in the State of South Dakota?
Learn about graphic design schools in South Dakota. See degree options, program requirements and courses, and get career and salary info for the region. Schools offering Graphic & Web Design degrees can also be found in these popular choices.
Studying Graphic Design in South Dakota
You'll probably need a bachelor's degree in graphic design and a strong professional portfolio to get a job in this field, although training in a related area might suffice. In South Dakota, many schools offer graphic design majors or concentrations within art degrees. These programs' studio courses can help you develop the creativity and computer skills you'll need to start your career, while its general education coursework in subjects like writing or business can teach you how to work well with your peers.
Salary and Job Outlook for South Dakota Graphic Designers
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that there were 550 graphic designers employed in South Dakota as of May 2011. These professionals made an average salary of about $34,000. Job opportunities for graphic designers, nationwide, were projected by the BLS to grow 13% over 2010-2020 decade. Those looking for employment in the computer systems design industry should have the best job prospects.
Graphic Design Certificate Programs in South Dakota
South Dakota State University
- Program Name: Graphic Design Certificate
- Program Length: 12 credits (about one semester, full-time)
- Tuition: $130 per credit for South Dakota residents, $160 per credit for Minnesota residents, $195 per credit for nonresidents (for the 2012-2013 academic year)
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 11,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students
- Address: 101 Grove Hall, Brookings, SD 57007
- Phone: (605) 688-4103
South Dakota State University's certificate program is typically combined with an undergraduate degree. Coursework gives you the opportunity to study graphic design outside of your chosen major or area of study. Topics of study include an introduction to graphic design principles, typography and basic digital imaging. You can also try your hand at page layout and digital imaging.
Graphic Design Associate's Degree Programs in South Dakota
Northern State University
- Program Name: Associate of Science in Multimedia Graphic Design
- Program Length: 64 credits (two years, full-time)
- Tuition: $114 per credit for South Dakota residents, $157 per credit for Minnesota residents, $171 per credit for nonresidents (for the 2011-2012 academic year)
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 2,900 undergraduate and 300 graduate students
- Address: 1200 South Jay Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401
- Phone: (605) 626-2514
To earn Northern State University's associate's degree, you'll need to complete general education courses in such subjects as English composition, speech, science and college math. You'll also study art history and take an introductory computer science course. The rest of the program curriculum is designed to improve your drawing, graphic design and illustration skills. Other course requirements include Web design, 2-D motion graphics, 3-D design and digital imaging.
Graphic Design Bachelor's Degree Programs in South Dakota
Dakota Wesleyan University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
- Program Length: 125 credits (four years, full-time)
- Tuition: $21,750 per year (for the 2012-2013 academic year)
- School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit; about 700 undergraduate and 80 graduate students
- Address: 1200 West University Avenue, Mitchell, SD 57301
- Phone: (800) 333-8506
General education courses in this program are designed to build your critical thinking skills and expose you to the design aesthetics found in other cultures. The program's core graphic design courses can teach you about typography, color theory, graphic design history, computer graphics, desktop publishing, printmaking and Web page design. You'll also need to complete a graphic design portfolio containing over 20 samples of your work.
Northern State University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Art in Art
- Field of Study Options: Multimedia design
- Program Length: Roughly 128 credits (four years, full-time)
- Tuition: $114 per credit for South Dakota residents, $157 per credit for Minnesota residents, $171 per credit for nonresidents (for 2011-2012 academic year)
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 2,900 undergraduate and 300 graduate students
- Address: 1200 South Jay Street, Aberdeen, SD 57401
- Phone: (605) 626-2514
Northern State University offers an art bachelor's degree program with a specialization in multimedia design. All art students take such courses as drawing, 2-D design and 3-D design. However, once you begin coursework for your specialization area, you'll study many of the topics found in the associate's degree program. These include illustration software, digital photography, digital video production and animation. Program requirements unique to the bachelor's degree include a senior thesis and professional portfolio project.
South Dakota State University
- Program Name: Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design
- Program Length: 120 credits (four years, full-time)
- Tuition: $13,896 per year for South Dakota residents, $15,066 per year for Minnesota residents, $15,846 per year for nonresidents (for 2012-2013 academic year, includes all estimated student expenses including room and board)
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 11,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students
- Address: 101 Grove Hall, Brookings, SD 57007
- Phone: (605) 688-4103
South Dakota State University's 4-year graphic design program requires additional social science and modern languages coursework for the B.A. and additional natural sciences coursework for the B.S. Requirements for the major explore topics in page layout, visual communication theory, drawing, 3-D design and art history. You can also participate in internships or trips to area design studios and museums. Throughout the program, you must submit your portfolio for review to ensure that you meet the school's professional standards.
University of South Dakota
- Program Name: Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art
- Field of Study Options: Graphic design/multimedia
- Program Length: 128 credits (four years, full-time)
- Tuition: $15,068 per year for South Dakota residents, $15,619 per year for Minnesota residents, $17,013 per year for nonresidents (for 2012-2013 academic year, includes all estimated student expenses including room and board)
- School Type: 4-year, public; about 7,500 undergraduate and 2,500 graduate students
- Address: 414 East Clark Street, Vermillion SD 57069
- Phone: (605) 677-5636
The University of South Dakota offers a visual art degree program with the option of specializing in graphic design. You're required to complete some general education and art history courses as well as studio courses in such topics as drawing, painting, photography and ceramics. The rest of the program is comprised of coursework in graphic design.
To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:
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