Advanced Certificate

Advanced Graphic Design Certificate Program

Looking to learn graphic design and build experience in specialized areas like print design or brand identity? The online advanced Graphic Design certificate program guides you through sophisticated portfolio-building projects.

Program Overview

Advanced Certificates in Graphic Design train you in core software and foundational design techniques and offer concentrations that focus on specific fields of design. Challenging hands-on projects help you hone your work in print design, brand identity, or other areas to build your portfolio.

You can add one or more concentrations to a Graphic Design Professional Certificate to build your Advanced Certificate. Recommended concentrations for the Digital Arts program are shown below, but you may choose from our complete list or build your own custom concentration.

How It Works

The Graphic Design Advanced Certificate program begins with eight core classes. You then complete one or more concentrations, which typically consist of (three or four courses. At the end of your advanced program, you'll participate in a faculty-led portfolio review that carefully examines your graphic design work against your career goals.

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Certificate Catalog
Download the Certificate Programs catalog for program, course, faculty, and policy information at your fingertips.

Core Curriculum

The core program consists of eight required courses:

Level I
4218 photoshop basics
4017 color theory
4226 illustrator basics
4221 fundamentals of typography
Level II
4020 design and composition
4228 indesign basics
4019 the study of graphic design (or 4211 fundamentals of logo design)
4013 graphic design I

Recommended Concentrations

Sessions College certificate students choose from a wide range of available concentrations. The following concentrations are recommended for Graphic Design students. Explore all available concentrations, or consider building your own concentration from our individual courses.

Print Design
4301 print production
4302 advanced typography (or 4335 advanced graphic design)
4305 advanced packaging design
Brand Identity
4225 advanced logo design
4016 advertising design
4014 branding and identity
Advanced Software
4240 photoshop advanced (or 7015 digital photography with lightroom)
4227 illustrator advanced
4232 indesign advanced
Digital Photography
7002 digital photography I (or 7004 digital photography ii)
4242 color correction
7015 digital photography with lightroom
Web Design
5229 html and css essentials
5300 dreamweaver I
5013 web design I

View a syllabus for any of the courses listed in the above advanced Graphic Design certificate program curriculum by visiting the Certificate Courses page, and explore how course materials and instruction work on our Course Tours page.

Do you already have some graphic design experience? You may be able to customize your advanced Graphic Design certificate program by substituting courses with others from the same subject area. For example, you may be able to take Photoshop Advanced in place of Photoshop Basics. Your advisor can help you make the best course selections.

Need a shorter program? Look into the Professional Certificate in Graphic Design.