Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Digital Design: Web Design Emphasis
Bachelor’s Degree (BA) in Digital Design: Web Design Emphasis
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Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
During your senior year, you will create a professional portfolio, showcasing refined design skills, effective communication, problem-solving and critical thinking while integrating ethical leadership with a Christian worldview. The program can help guide you to continually refine your craft through prototype development and responsive feedback, with the goal of helping you graduate prepared to pursue diverse industries.
Throughout the portfolio process, creativity is encouraged to highlight your distinct skill set. A portfolio course typically taken during your second year of college (sophomore year) can help you prepare yourself for potential internships, developing employer-ready digital design pieces, while the senior portfolio showcases advanced skills, preparing you for interviews in sought-after digital design or web design careers after obtaining your degree.
As a modern university, GCU is committed to utilizing technological solutions that can help enhance accessibility to education for our students. With our interactive e-learning platform, you can take website design courses online. Join an online community of digital design students and benefit from hearing a range of perspectives in online forums. You will work through curriculum under the guidance of instructors who are knowledgeable in their fields, yet with the convenience and flexibility that comes with being an online digital design major.
In our information-driven society, a digital design degree can empower you to apply your skills in crafting design solutions. The website design courses at GCU focus on core UX skills and how to communicate in a visual society and create engaging and enriching digital information.
Throughout the program, you’ll be taught skills that cover the following areas:
In every studio course, you will be prompted to create dynamic visual content.1 This digital design degree program aims to create adept UX/UI designers with a set of skills that appeal across all sectors of the economy. In addition, you may be provided opportunities to specialize in different areas of interest.
Transform your creative passion into a purposeful future by exploring our digital web design degree. Complete the form on this page to delve into the exciting possibilities at GCU.
Graduates who possess the design skills necessary to create websites, apps, kiosks and interactive displays may work toward seeking a career in virtually any industry, including private companies, the public sector and nonprofit organizations. With a solid foundation in digital design and web design competencies, you may be prepared to pursue a range of jobs, such as a graphic designer and an art director.
Median annual wage for web developers and digital designers as of May 20232
During your time at GCU, you may have the opportunity to enhance your skills and use your creativity in extracurricular activities that can help supplement your classwork. We encourage students to participate in GCU’s design club, the Creative Herd, and support local chapters of professional associations for design like the Arizona chapter of the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) and the American Advertising Federation (AAF) to discover design events and opportunities for networking.
Behind every screen today is a digital designer deciding what content goes where, what moves and how to marry both form and function in order to create an enjoyable brand journey. Our digital website design courses are developed to support foundational creative skills, skill enhancement, motion graphics and portfolio development.
This program includes the following core competencies:
It can be challenging to choose a degree program that fits your passions and may be aligned with your career goals. The following frequently asked questions and answers may help guide your decision-making process as you reflect upon your higher education options.
The educational prerequisites for a UX/UI designer often differ and may depend on factors such as the work environment; however, a bachelor’s degree is considered typical for entry-level education.3 Although some employers will accept prior work experience and demonstrated ability in lieu of a degree, many employers may prefer to hire job candidates who have a relevant bachelor’s degree, such as a degree in web design, digital design or graphic arts.3
Although not always a strict requirement for employment, a web design degree can provide you with a solid foundation that supports long-term achievements and career opportunities within the field.
Digital web designers and web developers often work together but also serve very different functions within their roles. In essence, a web designer crafts the visual elements through design, while a web developer executes the coding aspect of website creation.
A web designer focuses on the appearance and aesthetic appeal of a website by working on areas such as the interface design and layout including color scheme, graphic design functions, UX and typography.4 In contrast, a web developer uses the designer’s vision for the site to create its structure and functionality using coding techniques. Web developers also strive to enhance the compatibility of a website with different browsers and improve its security.5
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates job growth for web developers and digital designers to increase by about 16% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than average. This indicates that employers expect to hire about 34,700 of these professionals through this time period.6
For the most part, yes. In 2024, digital design and graphic design are essentially synonymous. The distinction between the two has blurred and today, a digital designer encompasses the skills and knowledge traditionally associated with graphic design. Graphic designers are trained to create visual content and brand awareness for both print and digital platforms, covering a wide range of mediums including ink on paper and pixels on screens.7 As a result, "graphic design" has emerged as a preferred term, encompassing a broad spectrum of design practices across different mediums.
Most websites typically have different primary purposes. For one company, the main goal of a website may be to convey a positive brand image and encourage consumers to make a purchase or book services. For a nonprofit organization, the main purpose might be to attract donations or spread the message about the organization’s mission. While each organization varies, skilled web designers and developers are universally required to assist them in reaching their objectives. Web design plays a crucial role in facilitating connections between organizations and their target audience, aiding them in fulfilling their mission.
The Bachelor of Arts in Digital Design with an Emphasis in Web Design degree is designed to help prepare you to work in a variety of industries that use screen-based content, including advertising, marketing, branding, social media and corporate communications. If you’re interested in developing your technology skills, the website design courses at Grand Canyon University can provide a strong foundation in all forms of digital design with a focus on user experience (UX), user interaction (UI) and web design.
As a digital design major at GCU, you will have opportunities to put what you’ve been taught into practice. Through hands-on experiential learning activities, you will be prompted to develop a professional portfolio of web and digital design samples, which may support your search for internships and other work opportunities.
1 A working laptop and a subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud are required to take web design classes at GCU. Additional supplies or software programs may also be required.
2 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Web Developers and Digital Designers as of May 2023, retrieved on May 10, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as web developers and digital designers, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
3 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). How to become a web developer or digital designer. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 3, 2023.
4 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, Sept. 6). What Web Developers and Digital Designers Do. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved Nov. 8, 2023.
5 Coursera. (2023, June 15). Web designer vs. web developer: how the jobs differ. Coursera. Retrieved Nov. 3, 2023.
6 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Web Developers and Digital Designers, retrieved on Nov. 9, 2023.
7 Kutev, Cassie (2023, July 14). Graphic design vs. digital design: what’s the difference? Indeed. Retrieved Nov. 3, 2023.
If you’re interested in being a traditional, on-campus student, GCU welcomes you to earn your digital design degree on our campus in Phoenix. Work through digital design curriculum and UX design techniques while benefiting from face-to-face engagement with your instructors and fellow students. As a Christian university, GCU encourages students in each of our colleges to participate in on-campus worship activities and faith-centered groups. Surround yourself with like-minded peers and enjoy a supportive learning community as you acquire a well-rounded, distinctly Christian education.
Digital design may be an ideal career path if you are passionate about technology but also have a creative mindset and want opportunities to work on a range of project types — from web design and application design to user experience (UX) or user interaction design applied in gaming, advertising and entertainment design — and many more. This digital design degree from GCU can help you turn your creativity into a potential career path. You’ll have opportunities to further your technical proficiencies and design skills while benefiting from a blend of classroom instruction and hands-on learning activities.
Grand Canyon University is pleased to be an institutionally accredited school that emphasizes quality instruction and a well-rounded curriculum. In addition, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Arts and Media is aligned with the university's dedication to maintaining the principles and standards set forth by our accrediting organizations.
