Information for New Graphic Design Students

Required Registration

While some courses may be taken in terms other than where they appear on your four-year plan, others must be taken in sequence.  In addition, some courses are offered only during fall and spring terms (these are marked on your plan).  If you have any questions, your adviser is your best information source.  Always be sure to use your APAS report in conjunction with your Four-Year Sample Plan to ensure timely graduation.

Four-year Sample Plan for Graphic Design Students Admitted for Fall 2009 and Spring 2010

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Technology

The College of Design provides hardware and software information for graphic design students. CDes works with the U of M Bookstore to provide this technology.

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Academic Advising

Your academic adviser will be Zahra Khorasani, who can be reached at 612-624-5092 or khor0006@umn.edu.

To schedule an advising appointment, please call 612-624-1717 or stop by 12 McNeal Hall. Note: Advisers do not make their own appointments.

You are required to have an advising appointment with your CDes academic adviser prior to registering for classes. You may fulfill this requirement by meeting with your adviser in an individual or group advising capacity at any point during your admission term.

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Study Away

We highly encourage students to consider spending a semester away in their sophomore or junior year or joining a shorter excursion during any summer, winter or spring break. Exposure to other cultures is a critical component of every designer’s education. Students interested in a study away experience should work closely with their CDes academic adviser and the U of M Learning Abroad Center to learn about their options and outline their course of study. Careful program and course planning will help you stay on track for timely graduation.

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Student Groups and Professional Organizations

Consider joining a CDes or U of M student organization. Popular options for CDes students include:

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Working

Graphic Design is a demanding major. It requires a serious time commitment for success. Although we recognize that many students need to work to finance their undergraduate education, the Graphic Design faculty members strongly recommend that you work no more than 10 hours per week. Maintaining a high GPA is critical for acceptance to finding a job or landing an internship.

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