SMU Graphic Design Certificate Program | Program Requirements & Format

The SMU Certificate in Graphic Design consists of five individual courses, culminating with the unique capstone portfolio project. Students register for each course separately. Most students complete the program in approximately nine months, but it is possible to complete in as little as six months.

Graphic Design Certificate Program completion requirements

1. Complete each class below and pass each exam with a score of 75% of better:

2. Complete the class and receive at least a 70% score in the Capstone

Graphic Design Certificate Program Details

Textbooks and Materials

Course textbooks and materials are included in the price of the course. After enrolling, you can pick up your textbook or materials for the online course in Introduction to Graphic Design from the CAPE office prior to the start of the class. For all other classes, textbooks will be distributed to students during the first class session.

Adobe Creative Suite will be required during the capstone course as you will be working on a real-world graphic design project. A 30-day free trial of this software is available from Adobe, but students in the certificate program are required to purchase this software for use during and after the program.

General Policies

Students must enroll before attending a course; Instructors cannot accept enrollment fees. SMU reserves the right to substitute Instructors, change course locations, cancel courses, adjust curricula or schedules, or limit enrollment.

Cancellation and Refund Policy

CAPE makes every effort to assure a quality learning experience. If you choose to withdraw from a certificate program, please notify us in writing (via email: smuthink@smu.edu, fax: (214) 768-1071, or U.S. mail: SMU Continuing and Professional Education, P.O. Box 750275, Dallas, TX 75275-0275) before 5:00 p.m., ten business days prior to the certificate program start date. A full refund will be issued, minus a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be given after this date.

If you choose to withdraw from an individual class, please notify us in writing (via email: smuthink@smu.edu, fax: (214) 768-1071, or U.S. mail: SMU Continuing and Professional Education, P.O. Box 750275, Dallas, TX 75275-0275), before 5:00 p.m., three business days prior to the class start date. A full refund will be issued, minus a $25 processing fee. No refunds will be given after this date. No refunds are issued for certificate application fee payments.

Failure to attend class does not constitute withdrawal.

All refunds will be made in the form of the original payment. Please allow up to six weeks to receive check refunds.

Register for an upcoming information session

Get Started on your Graphic Design Certificate!

1. RSVP for an information session or talk with a student advisor.  Offered throughout the year, our 60 minute info sessions are packed with information about the SMU Graphic Design Program and the design industry. If you prefer, you can talk one-on-one with a student advisor to answer your specific questions.
2. Enroll in the graphic design certificate program. Click here to enroll online or download a paper application.
3. Register for classes. You may register for upcoming classes online at any time. Most students begin with the Introduction to Graphic Design course, but you can take classes in any order.