Students who are looking for the best accredited web design degree programs in Oklahoma have quite a few options available in all regions of the state. Undergraduate programs resulting in either a B.A. or B.F.A. can be found at the school’s largest institutions, like Oklahoma State and the University of Tulsa, as well as smaller schools like Rogers State and Southwestern Oklahoma. All of these programs feature unique coursework and concentrations that emphasize website design, graphic design, and the considerations necessary when creating intuitive sites for all forms of multimedia and modern devices. Before choosing any program, consider their requirements and the unique opportunities they afford to undergraduate students.
Rogers State University
Department of Fine Arts
Rogers State started offering bachelor’s degrees only in 2000, after the school transitioned to a regional university from a military college. Since then, the school has consistently ranked as the fastest-growing public university in the state of Oklahoma. The Department of Fine Arts at Rogers is growing quickly on its own, and offers what is perhaps the most comprehensive design program in the state. The B.F.A. offered to students focuses on visual arts and multimedia, which gives them the context they need to create stunning websites and graphic designs for television, print, advertising, websites, and even mobile applications. Through elective classes, students can opt to focus more heavily on website design and programming languages so that they’re prepared for this role after graduation. An internship is strongly recommended for all students in this program.
Related Resource: What is a Web Design Internship?
Bachelor of Fine Art in Visual Arts, Option: Multimedia
The B.F.A. program at Rogers State is actually designed to be a far-reaching introductory program into designing for various media sources. Students who are interested in web designs can still opt for a concentration in this area, however, taking up to 18 credits in classes that teach popular web programming languages like HTML and CSS. These classes also emphasize good cross-platform design that accommodates computers, smartphones, and tablets, and they teach students about proper colors, layouts, and best practices, so that a completed design is as usable as possible by the largest segment of the population. An internship is encouraged, but students’ job prospects also benefit from on-campus job fairs and networking opportunities.
Accreditation
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)
Contact
Rogers State University
Department of Fine Arts
1701 W. Will Rogers Blvd.
Claremore, OK 74017
Phone: (918) 343-7777
Website: http://www.rsu.edu/academics/fine-arts/VisualArtsBFA.asp
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Department of Art, Communication, and Theatre
Southwestern Oklahoma State University is smaller than some other state schools in Oklahoma, but makes up for that smaller size by offering the largest number of nationally accredited degree programs of any public institution in the state. Students who wish to eventually work in graphic design can opt to enroll in the Department of Art, Communication and Theatre, where they’ll receive a BFA in graphic design. The department is widely regarded as one of the best in Oklahoma, and has a prestigious reputation among employers due to graduates’ high level of preparation for both graphic and web designs for all platforms.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Design
The primary focus of this program is graphic design, not web design, and that means students will spend much of their time focusing on the more visual side of a great website. They’ll learn how to use applications like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator, while creating engaging and scalable graphics that are right at home on desktops, laptops, and mobile screens alike. Those who wish to learn more about web design can take optional elective classes in the field. In these classes, they’ll learn basic HTML and CSS programming, best practices for a standards-aligned website, and scalable design that adapts to smaller and larger screen sizes dynamically. An internship is required of all students at Southwestern Oklahoma prior to graduation, and helps to increase job placement rates as students begin searching for their first position.
Accreditation
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)
Contact
Southwestern Oklahoma State University
Department of Art, Communication and Theatre
100 Campus Dr.
Weatherford, OK 73096
Phone: (580) 774-3063
Email: art@swosu.edu
Website: http://www.swosu.edu/academics/art/programs/graphic-design.aspx
The University of Tulsa
School of Art
The University of Tulsa is one of the most prestigious schools in Oklahoma, and is home to some of the state’s best professional programs. Students in the School of Art can opt for either a B.F.A. or a more traditional B.A. in graphic design, with courses that emphasize cutting-edge best practices, new software applications, and more. Professors at the school are often among the most seasoned design professionals in their field, and many still maintain an active role in designing graphics or websites for Tulsa-area corporations. All students will participate in design competitions, internships, and job fairs, maximizing their experience and marketability after graduation.
Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Art, Graphic Design Concentration
The BA program in graphic design is particularly attractive to students who wish to have more room available for elective classes in computer science, web design, or programming. This degree requires a few less art-focused classes than the BFA, and has slightly fewer graphic design credits required prior to graduation. As a result, students can create a self-guided program of study that broadens their computer skills and makes them more marketable as a web designer instead of a graphic designer. The program’s prestigious reputation throughout Tulsa is consistent across both degrees, however, affording graduates plenty of opportunities.
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Art, Graphic Design Concentration
Tulsa’s BFA program is an in-depth study of art history, modern design principles, and the best practices of 21st century graphic design. Students will focus their efforts more on cross-platform graphics in this program, with a heavier course load specifically in graphics generation and modern art. Popular software applications from Adobe and Apple will be taught as part of this program, and students will learn about the proper use of graphics in web, print, advertising, and other electronic media. Internships are required of all students prior to graduation, as is a portfolio presentation of completed design work.
Accreditation
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)
Contact
The University of Tulsa
School of Art
800 South Tucker Dr.
Tulsa, OK 74104
Phone: (918) 631-2000
Email: admission@utulsa.edu
Website: http://www.utulsa.edu/academics/colleges/henry-kendall-college-of-arts-and-sciences/Departments-and-Schools/School-of-Art.aspx
University of Central Oklahoma
Department of Design
UCO is the oldest public institution in Oklahoma, and caters to 17,000 students across a variety of professional fields. Those in the Department of Design benefit form a particularly strong and broad graphic design program, which will ensure that all graduates can create stunning websites with engaging, scalable graphics. Professors in the Department of Design are often seasoned professionals with practical experience in graphics generation, and many maintain at least a part-time design position that helps them stay current with new standards and best practices.
Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA), Graphic Design
UCO’s BFA program in graphic design is concerned primarily with giving students the right combination of professional skills and long-term context. To that end, all students will take at least six credits in the history of visual design and the evolution of creating graphics from print and electronic media. They’ll also learn how to use current design programs from Adobe, Apple, and others, and they’ll work on assembling a professional portfolio of their work. Those students with an interest in web design can opt for elective credits in web programming, mobile devices, computer programming, computer science, and much more, thanks to the university’s large size and many degree options.
Accreditation
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)
Contact
University of Central Oklahoma
Department of Design
100 North University Dr.
Edmond, OK 73034
Phone: (405) 974-2000
Email: webmaster@uco.edu
Website: http://www.uco.edu/em/explore/majors/major-descriptions/fine-arts-and-design/graphic-design.asp
University of Oklahoma
Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts
The University of Oklahoma is one of the oldest universities in the state, and is certainly its leading public institution in terms of prestige and public perception. The College of Fine Arts maintains an innovative program in visual communications that is designed to go far beyond web design alone. In this program, professors focus on the importance of graphics, technology, and good design, in creating both a cohesive and engaging experience for customers and Internet users. Students choose electives to further specialize this concentration in visual communications, and bolster their credentials through at least one required internship.
Bachelor of Fine Art (BFA) in Art: Visual Communications
Visual communications is a broad field, and the associated BFA program at the University of Oklahoma is appropriately broad in academic scope. Students will learn the history of graphic design, the history of multimedia and its impact on communications, and the influence of the web on design principles and practices. Students will learn to identify how to best design graphics for various media, and they’ll learn how to create standards-aligned websites that leverage proper use of graphics, print, and interactive elements, to create a cohesive experience. Concentrated work in web programming and computer science helps aspiring web designers gather even more context, as does a required internship in a related field.
Accreditation
- The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA HLC)
Contact
University of Oklahoma
Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts
550 Parrington Oval
Norman, OK 73019
Phone: (405) 325-2151
Email: ou-pss@ou.edu
Website: http://www.ou.edu/go2/academics/wfcfa/avc.html
Whether it’s a focus on all forms of multimedia, a concentrated program in graphic design, or comprehensive courses that focus on the broad skills needed to create a successful website design, students in Oklahoma have an exciting array of programs to choose from. The list of accredited web design degree programs in Oklahoma features some of the state’s largest and most prestigious schools, and will surely give students an option that aligns with any of their interests within this growing profession.
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