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Communication Design

Certificate

Advance Your Career in Communication Design—Flexible, Online, and Career-Focused

Program Start: Spring 2025
Application Deadline: June 15, 2025
Program Length: 1-2 Years (Part-time)
Location: 100% Online

Gain hands-on experience in visual design, UX/UI, branding, and more with our fully online, part-time program. Designed for working professionals, this two-year program offers flexible learning with evening classes and occasional Saturdays.

What You’ll Learn

Build expertise in app and web design, branding, UX/UI, packaging, and more. Our program is designed for working professionals with weekly evening classes and occasional Saturdays, offering the flexibility to balance learning with your busy life.

Courses include real-world projects like designing for events, publications, and interactive platforms, helping you develop a robust portfolio.

Flexible Learning Pathways

The program offers three stackable certificates, each advancing your skills:

  • Level 1: Foundation in graphic design and typography.
  • Level 2: Advanced skills in branding, UX/UI, and portfolio building
  • Level 3: Master complex design systems and launch your design career

Career-Ready Graduates

Whether you’re a new designer or advancing your current skills, our program will equip you to pursue roles as a graphic designer, UX/UI designer, or brand strategist. You’ll graduate with a strong portfolio and the creative problem-solving skills sought by employers.

LEVEL 1  Provides a solid grounding in design and typography skills that can be applied in a variety of design-related jobs and endeavors. Level 1 can be completed as a stand-alone certificate or as a foundation for Level 2.

 

LEVEL 2 Pushes students to advance their skills in brand design, gain UX/UI design skills, and build a portfolio suitable for obtaining a paid internship or junior designer position.

 

LEVEL 3 Challenges students to conceive of and design complex design systems at a highly creative and sophisticated level. Students graduate with skills and a portfolio suitable for launching a career as a professional designer.

Level 1Semesters offered
Foundations of GD (3 cr)Fall, Spring (may also be offered Summer)
Typography (3 cr)Fall, Summer (may also be offered Spring)
Graphic Design 1 (2 cr)Fall, Wintersession
Intermediate Typography (3 cr)Spring
Level 2Semesters offered
UX Design (3 cr)Spring (may also be offered Summer)
Graphic Design 2 (3 cr)Summer
Print Production Workshop (NC)Fall (may also be offered Spring)
Intermediate Portfolio (4 cr)Fall
Level 3Semesters offered
Graphic Design 3 (4 cr)Spring
Advanced Interactive Projects (4 cr)Summer
Final Portfolio (4 cr)Fall

Our program offers three start dates throughout the year to fit your schedule.

 

  • Fall Start: Apply between February 1 and June 15 for a September start.
  • Spring Start: Apply between September 1 and November 1 for a January start.
  • Summer Start: Apply between February 1 and April 15 for a May start.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis during each cycle.

Schedule SCENARIO A – FALL START

YearSemesterCourse Name(s)LevelTimeline
1FallFoundations of Graphic Design1start Level 1
1FallTypography1
1WinterGraphic Design 11
1SpringIntermediate Typography1complete Level 1
1SpringUX Design2start Level 2
1SummerGraphic Design 22
2FallIntermediate Portfolio2
2FallPrint Production Workshop2complete Level 2
2WinterInformation Design3start Level 3
2SpringGraphic Design 33
2SummerAdvanced Interactive Projects3
3FallFinal Portfolio3complete Level 3

 

SCENARIO B – SPRING START

YearSemesterCourse Name(s)LevelTimeline
1SpringFoundations of Graphic Design1start Level 1
1Spring or SummerTypography1
1FallGraphic Design 11
2SpringIntermediate Typography1complete Level 1
2SpringUX Design2start Level 2
2SummerGraphic Design 22
2FallIntermediate Portfolio2
2FallPrint Production Workshop2complete Level 2
3WinterInformation Design3start Level 3
3SpringGraphic Design 33
3SummerAdvanced Interactive Projects3
3FallFinal Portfolio3complete Level 3

 

SCENARIO C – SUMMER START

YearSemesterCourse Name(s)LevelTimeline
1SummerFoundations of Graphic Design1start Level 1
(or Typography)1
1FallTypography1
(or Foundations of Graphic Design)1
1WinterGraphic Design 11
1SpringIntermediate Typography1complete Level 1
1SpringUX Design2start Level 2
2SummerGraphic Design 22
2FallIntermediate Portfolio2
2FallPrint Production Workshop2complete Level 2
2WinterInformation Design3start Level 3
2SpringGraphic Design 33
3SummerAdvanced Interactive Projects3
3FallFinal Portfolio3complete Level 3

The following outcomes represent completion of Level 3; completion of Levels 1 and 2 represent significant progress towards these outcomes. 

  • Design complex visual communications systems including consumer brands, print and digital publications, promotional and information campaigns, websites, apps, packaging and signage.
  • Develop and apply original, engaging design concepts that effectively communicate an intended idea and/or message to a defined audience
  • Apply visual design skills (including composition, color, and type/image integration), information design skills, professional typesetting techniques, and creative typography to a variety of communication design projects
  • Apply principles and processes of UX and UI design to the planning and design of interactive experiences for desktop, mobile, and other screen-based media
  • Identify a community problem or need and research, develop, and design an effective solution.
  • Employ skills in collaboration by effectively providing critical feedback to others and integrating feedback from various sources into one’s own designs.
  • Practice professional design process including research, idea generation, design iteration, presentation, incorporation of feedback, technical execution, and craft to a variety of communication design projects.
  • Utilize industry-standard design software and art media in creating designs, mock-ups, and prototypes.
  • Create an entry-level portfolio suitable for job search in professional Communication Design, UX Design and Graphic Design

Costs & Application Requirements

Program Costs

LEVEL 1: $6,218 (4 Courses, 11 credits)

LEVEL 2: $6,035 (4 Courses, 10 credits)

LEVEL 3: $6,936 (5 Courses, 12 credits)

Because of the format of the Communication Design Certificate, students in this program are not eligible for federal financial aid.

 

Application Requirements:

  • $35 Application Fee
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Official Transcripts
Submit Your Application

If you believe you are qualified to be admitted directly to Level 2 or Level 3, please contact the Program Director, Alisa Aronson at alisa.aronson@massart.edu to determine appropriate placement.

Program Director

Alisa Aronson

Associate Professor, Professional and Continuing Education
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621 Huntington Ave,
Boston, MA 02115

(617) 879-7000