Graphic and web designers create a wide variety of materials, including advertisements, displays, packaging, signs, logos, web sites, and web pages to meet the needs and preferences of their various clients for communication and promotion. Graphic and web designers work as in-house designers for a company, as staff designers for a graphic design firm, or as freelance designers. This growing profession needs creative minds that have excellent visualization, computer, and design skills.

If you are unable to access documents here, please contact Technical Skill Attainment Team (tsa@swtc.edu, 608.822.2464)
  • Overview
  • Is This Program for You?

    Have you been told that you have creative and visualization skills? Do you enjoy analyzing design decisions and often think it could have been done better? If you are attracted to the design elements of color, type, shape, illustration, and layout, then creating web sites and print-ready design solutions can be a very satisfying career choice.

    Students entering the Graphic & Web Design program should:

    • Enjoy working in a computer-based environment using multiple software packages.
    • Possess analytical and creative ability.
    • Have good oral and written communication skills.
    • Understand how to access and document complex information.
    • Possess good customer relation skills.
    • Be willing to make decisions and solve problems.
    • Continuously update graphic and web design knowledge.
    • Enjoy organizing, planning and prioritizing work.

    Program Basics

    • Associate degree, requiring two years or more to complete
    • Combination of face to face and online classes
    • High school articulation courses accepted
    • Financial aid available to students who qualify
    • Classes start in August and January
    • Modified plan available
    • Student laptops are included in this program
  • Curriculum & Costs
  • Cost of Attendance (COA) 24-25

    Cost of Attendance (COA) is a total of all the usual expenses of being a student. The COA sets the maximum amount of financial aid a student can receive.

    Category Amount
    Tuition and Fees $4,820
    Living Expenses (Housing and Food) $9,148
    Books and Supplies $1,466
    Personal Expenses $3,608
    Transportation $4,018
    Charger Tech 360 Fee $600
    Loan Fees $84
    Yearly Total (Living Away from Home) $23,744
    1 Semester Total (Living Away from Home) $11,872

    Based on Wisconsin Residents.

    Approximate school costs are for a full-time (12 credit) student over a semester span of 17 weeks.

    Fees are legislated by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board.

    These costs are estimates and are subject to change without notice.

  • Requirements
  • Admission and Program Requirements

    • Submit Application
    • To make sure your classes are the right fit, we consider any previous college credit you've earned, Accuplacer or ACT scores, high school GPA, or an assessment at your registration session. Submit High School Transcripts, College Transcripts, and Test Scores to: Southwest Tech, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809
    • Admissions Meeting: After applying and submitting transcripts, work with your advisor to begin or continue your student success plan to talk about your career interests and goals, develop a plan for paying for college, learn about various funding options, create an academic map, and discuss supports and services. Schedule an admissions meeting by clicking "Make an appointment" with your program advisor.

    Helpful Academic Background

    • Work experience with computer design program software
    • Background in computer applications and computer concepts
    • Keyboarding skills
    • Good communication and writing abilities
    • Creativity

    Program Fees

    • This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
    • Estimated cost for each semester can be found under the Curriculum tab. Please note that costs are approximate and are based on the current academic year.
    • Please discuss additional fee questions with the program advisor or instructor.

    The student laptops are required for the course. The fee is included in financial aid.

  • Outcomes
  • Program Outcomes

    At the completion of the program, students are expected to be able to:

    • Apply the principles of design to develop strategic marketing and communication products and services
    • Demonstrate proficiency in the use of design software, tools and technology
    • Implement creative solutions from concept through completion using a formal process
    • Apply effective legal and ethical business practices and project management skills
    • Communicate artwork rationale in formal and informal settings

    Technical Skill Attainment (TSA)

    This TSA scoring guide will be used to document your attainment of technical program outcomes for the Graphic & Web Design Degree. To meet the requirements on the scoring guide, you will be asked to draw upon the skills and concepts that have been developed throughout the program and are necessary for successful employment in your field. Results will be used to inspire continual improvement of teaching and learning in Wisconsin Technical College System. In addition, this assessment will provide feedback to you about your performance.

  • Career Opportunities
  • The combination of graphic and web design curriculum in this degree prepares graduates to work for businesses that require support in both graphic and web design areas as a graphic designer, web designer, motion graphic artist, desktop publisher, and more.

    Southwest Tech's Career Connections Center offers Services to assist students looking for job placement.

  • Transfers
  • Prior Learning
  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Experience Pays! You've Been There... You've Done That... Let's See If You Can Get Credit For It!

    Credit for prior learning gives you opportunities to earn credit for college-level knowledge that you have already acquired. This may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military training, extensive self-instruction, or professional development. Credit for Prior Learning affords you the opportunity to accelerate the completion of your educational goals.

    For more information on Credit for Prior Learning see our Credit for Prior Learning page.

    At any time, you may Request Credit for Prior Learning.

    Graphic And Web Design Courses that may have Credit for Prior Learning options:

    Course # Course Title
    Challenge Exam
    (Demonstration)
    Challenge Exam
    (Standard)
    CLEP
    Credential
    Portfolio
    10-201-138TypographyYes
    10-801-136English Composition 1Yes
    CLEP Test - College Composition
    10-801-196Oral/Interpersonal CommunicationYes
    10-801-197Technical ReportingYes
    10-804-123Math with Business ApplicationsYes
    10-809-172Introduction to Diversity StudiesYes