9 Fastest Online Graphic Design Degree Programs 2025

The increased use of graphics is seen in everything from book covers to website visuals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a positive job growth projection is expected for graphic designers. Most entry-level positions in this industry require applicants to have completed a bachelor's program, usually a Bachelor of Science (BS), Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), or a Bachelor of Arts (BA).

Online students can earn bachelor's degrees in fewer than four years. The best online bachelor's degrees in graphic design allow students to quickly develop fundamental design skills like an understanding of Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign), design principles, and interactive design. These accelerated online graphic design bachelor's degrees make achieving your career goals a quick and streamlined process.

Accelerated Online Graphic Design Degrees

Many online degrees are provided as mirrored versions of on-campus degree programs, but there are accelerated programs that will allow students to earn their degrees in less time. While there are pros and cons to accelerated programs, students can progress much quicker with online courses, self-paced opportunities, and the ability to utilize previous experience and transfer credits to reduce the total credit requirements.

1. Southern New Hampshire University

Southern New Hampshire University offers a fully online Bachelor of Arts in graphic design and media arts. This program is delivered in eight-week accelerated online courses and students can transfer up to 90 credit hours (75% of the total credits required).

Students at SNHU will complete coursework on digital graphic design, digital design software and tools, and user experience design.

2. Liberty University

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design from Liberty University can be completed faster than a traditional four-year degree due to accelerated courses and the ability to transfer 90 credit hours. Liberty University also has eight different start dates per year, allowing students to take even more control of their education.

Graphic design students are given access to the Adobe Creative Cloud to gain hands-on experience with the most commonly used software in the industry.

3. Regent University

Students can transfer up to 90 credits from another community college or university to Regent's Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic design. Instead of taking general education credits at Regent University, students can focus on their graphic design courses such as interactive design, advanced web design, and branding.

Students with the maximum number of transfer credits can earn this degree in around one academic year.

4. California Baptist University

California Baptist University's online Bachelor of Arts in graphic design and digital media can be completed in 16 months for students with general education and elective transfer credits and a full-time course load. CBU uses accelerated, asynchronous coursework allowing students to work at their own pace through three semesters each academic year.

5. University of Maryland Global Campus

The Bachelor of Arts in graphic communication from the University of Maryland Global Campus allows learners to transfer 90 credits to satisfy their general education or elective credit requirements. Courses at UMGC include topics such as typography, motion graphics, and color theory.

6. Full Sail University

Full Sail University offers students a Bachelor of Science in visual arts with a graphic design concentration degree completion program. Students in this program can first complete the Associate of Applied Science in graphic design through Full Sail University or work towards an associate degree from another school.

The bachelor's online degree completion program uses accelerated courses in subjects such as interactive multimedia design, graphic web design, and leadership. Full-time students can complete this program's major requirements in about 13 months.

7. Youngstown State University

Youngstown State University has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in graphic and interactive design available to online students. This degree requires 120 total credits, but students can transfer up to 90 credits. Learners use accelerated courses over six sessions to complete this degree program in around one academic year.

Graduates of this program can find design jobs such as art directors, creative directors, and user experience and user interface (UX/UI) designers.

8. Bellevue University

The Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Bellevue University is completed through accelerated, self-paced courses. Students can also transfer a full associate degree or military training to further accelerated this degree program. Bellevue is consistently near the top of the Phi Theta Kappa rankings for its transfer-friendly policies which speed up the degree completion process for online students.

9. Wilmington University

Wilmington University offers a degree completion program for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in graphic design. Students complete hands-on projects related to visual communication, motion graphics, and Adobe programs. Using transfer credits, students can speed up their Bachelor's degree, but Wilmington also offers an accelerated BS to MS in digital communication degree through its Dual-credit Advantage program.

Our Selection Criteria

Many schools offer fully online degree programs using accelerated courses. Our methodology for selecting the best accelerated graphic design programs involved three major criteria:

• Accreditation: Schools need to have regional or national accreditation. Without accreditation, degrees won't be respected by employers or graduate programs.
• Transfer credit/previous learning policies: The fastest programs allow high amounts of transfer credits or waive electives through test programs that reflect real-world experiences, such as the College-Level Examination Program� (CLEP) or the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) for military students.
• Self-paced courses and flexible scheduling: In-person learning limits students to the school's schedule. We looked for online programs that allow you to learn on your schedule at your own pace.

FAQs About Graphic Design Online Programs and Enrollment

Accelerated graphic design programs differ from in-person in terms of pacing and degree program duration. As a result, many prospective students have questions about these degree programs, including how fast they can complete these programs, what courses to expect, and how to enroll in one.

How Fast Can I Get a Graphic Design Degree?

Some graphic design degree programs can be completed in as few as 13 months. These programs usually require students to have completed general education and elective credits at another online school or community college first.

What Courses Are Typically in an Online Graphic Design Degree Program?

Graphic design, like most fields, has several concentrations that will involve unique coursework, but there are many common courses you should inspect. The most typical classes include fundamentals of color theory, typography, and design principles. Some students will take more specialized coursework for video game design, web development, and social media marketing.

What Are the Admission Requirements for an Online Graphic Design Degree Program?

Each degree program will have slightly different admission requirements, but there are general criteria that are used at almost every school. Students generally have to have a minimum high school GPA (often between 2.0 and 3.0) and standardized test scores (such as the SAT or ACT). Some programs will require a minimum number of transfer credits or even an associate degree.

Discover Online Bachelor's Degree Programs Today

Whether you want to enroll in an accelerated or traditional online graphic design degree program, our resources can help you find the right one. Read our school profiles to learn more about individual schools and degree programs. After you've found the programs that align with your goals, use our resources to reach out and start your application process today.