Appalachian State University

Transfer Guide

Appalachian State University
Graphic Design, BFA

Transfer Guide for Associate in Arts

2025-2026

Delivery Method: On-Campus

Program Admission Notes:

This major requires specific App State classes which are not offered at the community college. For this major, it is recommended that students transfer after 30 UGETC hours.

Applicants should have a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.25 in all attempted college coursework. For complete transfer admission information and deadlines, please visit https://admissions.appstate.edu/apply/transfer-student

*Students with less than a 2.25 will be reviewed holistically. Please speak to your transfer admissions counselor or call the Transfer Admissions & Engagement office with questions.

Foundations of American Democracy (FAD):

  • FAD is a graduation requirement for all students entering any UNC institution on or after July 1, 2025, who are seeking a baccalaureate degree.
  • Waiver: Students transferring to App State with 60+ college credit hours or an AA or AS degree will have the FAD requirement waived.
  • Alternative Courses: If you plan to transfer to App State without meeting any of the above criteria, you can fulfill the FAD requirement by taking one of these courses at a North Carolina Community College: HIS 131, HIS 132, POL 120, or SOC 220.

Early College: Early college students are considered First Year students (not Transfers) and should apply using the Common App.

Contact:

Transfer Admissions & Engagement
transferadmissions@appstate.edu

Revised: May, 2025

College Level Foreign Language Requirements:

Foreign language classes are not required for this major.

Major-Specific Course Recommendations:

Students are encouraged to build the North Carolina Community College (NCCC) course recommendations below into the associate degree to best prepare for the intended university and major.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ART 114: Art History Survey I 3 ARH 2030: ART FROM PREHISTORY TO 1400 UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts Required Course, General Education
ART 115: Art History Survey II 3 ARH 2130: ART FROM 1400 TO THE PRESENT UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts Required Course, General Education
ART 121: Two-Dimensional Design 3 ART 1001: FOUNDATIONS I Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
ART 122: Three-Dimensional Design 3 ART 1002: FOUNDATIONS II Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
ART 131: Drawing I 3 ART 1003: FOUNDATIONS DRAWING Elective/Pre-Major Courses Required Course
COM 231: Public Speaking 3 COM 2105: PUBLIC SPEAKING IN DISCIPLINES UGETC Humanities/Fine Arts Suggested Course, General Education

Remaining Associate Degree Requirements:

In addition to major-specific course recommendations above, students should work with a community college advisor to select additional community college courses to fulfill the remaining associate degree requirements identified below.

Recommended NCCC Course Credit
Hours		 University Equivalent Associate Degree
Requirement Fulfilled		 University Requirement Fulfilled
ENG 111: Writing and Inquiry 3 R C 1000: EXPOSITORY WRITING English Composition General Education
ENG 112: Writing/Research in the Disc 3 R C 2001: INTR WRITING ACROSS CURRICULUM English Composition General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 9 University Equivalencies UGETC Social/Behavioral Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 4 University Equivalencies UGETC Math General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 4 University Equivalencies UGETC Natural Sciences General Education
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 14 University Equivalencies Additional General Education Courses General Education
ACA 122: College Transfer Success 1 ELE CRED: ELECTIVE CREDIT Academic Transition Elective
Student Choice/No Preference (Approved Course Options) 5 University Equivalencies Elective/Pre-Major Courses Elective

Additional Information From Appalachian State University:

  • It is advantageous that students begin at Appalachian State as soon as possible, ideally after completing 30 credits. 
  • Students entering this program are required to have a Macintosh laptop/notebook computer.
  • If an AA degree is completed, students can expect another 3 years to complete their BFA degree.
  • A minimum grade of C/2.0 is required in each ART, ARH, and PHO course. 
  • Students must take a combined 24 credits of Graphic Design and Studio Art Electives. Students must take 12 credits of Graphic Design Electives and 12 credits of Studio Art/Photography Electives.
  • Students may petition for transfer credit for up to three additional studio art courses at the 2000-level.

Portfolio Review:

  • Students are required to complete a portfolio review after completing ART1006 Digital Foundations, ART1132 Introduction to Graphic Design, ART 1232 Introduction to Typography, and ART1332 Idea Lab at Appalachian State University.
  • For more information on the review, students can contact Mark Nystrom, Graphic Design Program Coordinator, nystromml@appstate.edu.

Remaining Bachelor’s Degree Requirements at University:

University Course Credit
Hours		 University Course Notes
ART 1006: DIGITAL FOUNDATIONS 3
ART 2230: HIS OF GRAPHIC DESIGN 3
ARH ELEC: ART HISTORY ELECTIVE CREDIT 3

Must fulfill the junior-level Writing in the Discipline requirement
ART 1132: INTRODUCTION TO GRAPHIC DESIGN 3
ART 1232: INTRODUCTION TO TYPOGRAPHY 3
ART 1332: IDEA LAB 3
ART 2132: STATIC DESIGN SYSTEMS I 3

OR ART 2232: DYNAMIC DESIGN SYSTEMS I (ART 2232 is a required course)
ART 3132: STATIC DESIGN SYSTEMS II 3

OR ART 3232: DYNAMIC DESIGN SYSTEMS II
ART 4132: GRAPHIC DESIGN SENIOR SEMINAR 3
ART 4232: GRAPHIC DESIGN SENIOR STUDIO 3
ART 4332: GRAPHIC DESIGN SENIOR STUDIO II 3
ART 4432: GRAPHIC DESIGN PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE 3
DESIGN ELECTIVES 12

Graphic design electives are taught on rotation, please see the available classes in the class schedule search for your specific semester.
STUDIO ART OR PHOTOGRAPHY ELECTIVES 12

Choose 12 hours of Studio Art or Photography courses, at least 3 hours must be a 3000-level course or higher.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 6