Courses

You may register for some Graphic Design Certificate courses individually and without an application.

Apply and register for the full Graphic Design Certificate Program to receive 30% off the standard tuition of the individual courses.
 

Graphic design is the visual expression of ideas. This course examines the role of the graphic designer in translating concepts into visual form across digital media. Emphasis is placed on foundational design principles, visual thinking, and the creative process used throughout the Graphic Design certificate curriculum.

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Adobe® Express® puts powerful design tools at your fingertips. Learn to quickly create professional-quality graphics, videos, and marketing materials within Adobe’s Creative Cloud ecosystem, using templates, branding features, and AI-powered tools that support modern, efficient design workflows.

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Adobe® Photoshop® is the industry standard for producing professional graphics for print and digital media. In this course, you’ll learn to retouch and enhance images by cropping, sizing, and perfecting contrast and color—while also exploring AI-powered tools that streamline photo editing and creative workflows.

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Adobe® Illustrator® is the industry’s leading tool for creating professional vector graphics. In this course, you’ll learn to use Illustrator’s precise drawing tools, time-saving features, and AI-enhanced capabilities to create logos, patterns, and marketing and advertising pieces.

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Adobe® InDesign® takes desktop publishing and design to the next level. In this course, you’ll learn to create polished, multi-page documents for print and digital distribution, using professional layout tools and AI-assisted features to improve efficiency and production-ready design.

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In this course, you’ll experience the process used by professional freelancers and design firms to create professional-quality design. You’ll deepen your understanding of what makes good design while refining and expanding select projects from previous courses. The focus is on strengthening concepts, improving execution, and developing portfolio-ready design work.

Upcoming Start Dates

March 26, 2026

Tuesdays and Thursdays 

7:30 - 8:30 p.m. CST

+4 hours/week of self-paced study

8 months

Live online

Fall 2026 - TBD

Tuesdays and Thursdays 

7:30 - 8:30 p.m. CST

+4 hours/week of self-paced study

8 months

Live online

SMU Graphic Design Certificate Program Entrance Requirements

Admission to the SMU Graphic Design Certificate program requires:

  • A four-year undergraduate degree OR four years of professional work experience
  • A personal computer
  • Adobe® Creative Cloud® software installed on the laptop
  • High-speed internet access
  • Basic computer knowledge

SMU Graphic Design Certificate Program Completion Requirements

Complete and pass each class below with a score of 70% or better:
  • Introduction to Graphic Design
  • Adobe® Express®
  • Adobe® Illustrator®
  • Print Graphics with Photoshop®
  • Adobe® InDesign®
  • Graphic Design Certificate Capstone