Texas Tech University

Graphic Design Programs at Texas Tech University

Texas Tech University appears in our ranking of 21 Affordable Master’s Degrees in Marketing and Advertising.

When studying graphic design at Texas Tech University, students have four program options that include a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design, A Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media Industries, a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media & Professional Communication, and a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in University Studies with a concentration in Journalism and Visual Media.

When enrolling in one of the university’s undergraduate programs, students may enroll in classes like Introduction to Art, Drawing, and Essentials of College Rhetoric during their first semesters. As the program progresses, students will begin to enroll in classes focused on digital media and graphic design like Typography, Visual Systems, Web Media Design, and Advanced Design Process.

Each of the degree options in graphic design from Texas Tech University offers a moderately different focus and outcome, so students can target the program that suits their personal interests best. For example, the Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media Industries is designed for students who want to be storytellers who design and create media content. The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media and Professional Communication features “soft” skills for use in the communication industry.

One of the most diverse graphic design related degrees at the university is the Bachelor of Arts in University Studies with a concentration in Visual Media. Students will undertake a curriculum with classes in areas like photography, creative media, and journalism. One of the interesting facets of the program is that it requires students to submit a senior thesis like a graduate degree program.

When completing one of the university’s undergraduate degrees, students should expect to earn somewhere around 120 credit hours that include core classes in graphic design, as well as general university requirements in areas like politics, the physical sciences, the behavioral sciences, and philosophy.

Students can take advantage of the university system’s online degree programs by applying to the Texas Tech eLearning & Academic Partnerships program. Graphic design options are available online with a Bachelor of Arts in Digital Media and Professional Communication, which is offered by the College of Media & Communication. Students can even take classes for their major at a regional campus in Waco.

About Texas Tech University

Once known as Texas Technological College, Texas Tech University was founded in 1923. With a student enrollment of more than 38,000 students, the university is the seventh-largest in the state, as well as being the lead institution within the Texas Tech system. The public university’s motto is “From here, it’s possible,” and the urban campus in Lubbock covers 1,838 acres. The university’s official colors are black and scarlet.

Playing as the Red Raiders, students on varsity sports teams are joined by two mascots named Masked Rider and Raider Red. The university is part of the Big 12 conference, and games are played in NCAA Division I. Interestingly, the university was initially approved in 1917, but some disagreement over the site choice for the university led to a delay in its establishment. Although the university focused on its technical degrees for its first several decades, the school would eventually expand in the 1960s to include other areas of study.

Texas Tech University Accreditation Details

Regional accreditation for Texas Tech University is granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges. Maintaining accreditation is a function of the Office of Planning and Assessment, and the university undergoes reaffirmation of its accreditation each decade. There are many departments across the university that are also recognized by other types of accrediting agencies.

Agencies that have given approval to programs at the university include the American Society for Biochemical and Molecular Biology, the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society, and the Council on Social Work Education. Other approvals come from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation, the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission, the National Association of Schools of Theatre, and the National Association of Schools of Art.

Texas Tech University Application Requirements

Applying to Texas Tech University means submitting the official application through the ApplyTexas website, sending a $75 application fee, and submitting official high school transcripts that include the student’s diploma type and his or her class rank. Students should also have their official SAT or ACT test scores delivered to the university. Students can gain assured admission by meeting certain class rank and test score benchmarks.

Applications to graduate school programs at Texas Tech University require that students submit unofficial copies of their test scores and transcripts for evaluation by the university. Students who are successfully admitted will need to then submit their official transcripts and evidence of having earned a diploma. There are some programs that require additional materials like statements of purpose, writing samples, a portfolio, or recommendations.

Tuition and Financial Aid

The estimated cost of attendance for resident students at Texas Tech University in undergraduate programs is $26,712, which includes tuition and fees of $11,320. Meanwhile, non-resident students will pay tuition and fees of $23,770 with a total cost of attendance at $39,162. The cost of housing at Texas Tech University is $6,236, the cost for meals is $3,536, and the university expects books and supplies to cost around $1,200 per year.

Students who enroll in graduate programs should expect to pay a total of $24,346 if they’re a resident of Texas or $32,646 if they’re a non-resident. The cost of tuition and fees for resident students at Texas Tech University is $8,954, and the cost for non-resident students is $17,254. All students should also budget additional funds for transportation and miscellaneous costs.

Students who attend an institution of higher learning in Texas should submit two applications for financial aid that include the Free Application for Federal Student Aid and the Texas Application for State Financial Aid. Both applications are available as early as October 1, and students should submit both by the priority deadlines of January 15. The university also has a scholarship application that students should consider.

Scholarship options include presidential merit scholarships and transfer merit scholarships for freshmen and incoming transfer students, as well as graduate scholarships and fellowships for students accepted to graduate school. Students who want to attend Texas Tech University must tell the university whether they intend to enroll for the semester, so financial aid documents and awards may be awarded before the fall session begins.