Is This Program for You?

Do you enjoy being creative and working with technology? Graphic & Web Design brings those interests together. You’ll learn to create websites, branding, advertising, social media content, print, and other digital designs while developing versatile skills that can lead to a variety of creative careers.

You may be a good fit if you:

• Are creative and curious.
• Enjoy computers, technology, and digital tools.
• Like photography, art, design, websites, or social media.
• Enjoy experimenting with color, type, images, and layout.
• Like solving creative challenges.
• Want to learn how to design for real audiences and clients.
• Are willing to try new ideas and learn from feedback.
• Want a career where creativity and technology come together.

Program Basics

• Associate degree, requiring two years or more to complete
• Combination of face to face and online classes
• High school articulation courses accepted
• Start College Now options for high school juniors and seniors.
• Financial aid available to students who qualify.
• Program starts in August. General education courses available for January starts.
• Modified plans available.

Cost of Attendance (COA) 26-27

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.

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.

Admission Requirements

• Submit Application

Academic Preparedness Requirements

Before you can be fully accepted into your program, you need to complete the requirements below. These are the same requirements you may see in your SWTC Student Portal.


• Submit Official High School, College, Military Transcripts, and Test Scores (Not Required)
  Have documents sent directly to:
  • Email: admissions@swtc.edu
  • Mail: Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Attn: Admissions, 1800 Bronson Blvd, Fennimore, WI 53809


• Meet with Your Advisor for an Admissions Meeting
  Schedule an admission meeting with your program advisor to complete your student success plan, including a career assessment and academic map and support plan.
  
  To schedule your meeting, go to the Appointments page. Find your advisor in the list, then select Make an Appointment under their contact information.
  
  Appointments are available on campus or virtually.

If you want to check which of these requirements you still need to complete, log in to your SWTC Student Portal, go to My Profile → Document Center, and make sure All Programs is selected.

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.

Graphic & Web Design skills can lead to careers across design, marketing, social media, web, and creative services. Graduates develop versatile creative and technical skills that can be used by businesses, marketing departments, creative agencies, nonprofits, and as independent designers.

Career job titles may include:

• Digital Content Creator
• Social Media Designer
• Motion Graphics Designer
• UI/UX Designer
• Video Editor
• Graphic Designer
• Web Designer
• Digital Designer
• Brand Designer
• Marketing Designer
• Freelance Designer

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

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.

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
10-201-138	Typography
10-801-136	English Composition I
	CLEP Test - College Composition
10-801-198	Speech
10-804-123	Math with Business Apps
10-809-196	Intro to Sociology