In fact, a 2025 Upwork study found graphic design skills to be among the most in-demand skills for freelancers. If you’re looking to boost your skill set for a side hustle or start a new career as a graphic designer, a certificate may be the key to advancement. To help you navigate through the many options, we’ve listed the top 20 graphic design certificate courses. The certificates below are unranked and listed alphabetically. To qualify, the program must be at least four weeks long and available for online learning. This list was updated in September 2025.
Arkansas State University
Jonesboro, AK
Arkansas State University hosts a Certificate in Graphic Communication that’s available both in-person and online. Students can complete the curriculum and earn their certificates in as little as eight months, but the total requirements for completion are gaining at least 12 credit hours. Tuition for this certificate is $3,384, not including materials or access to Adobe Creative Cloud. The program focuses on utilizing Adobe programs to design impactful digital communications. Applicants must complete the official online application form and provide a copy of their high school diploma or transcripts.
- Cost: $3,384
- Length: 8 Months
- Modality: Online
Berkeley College Continuing Education
Woodland Park, NJ
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The Graphic Design Certificate hosted by Berkeley College Continuing Education is a program with four courses spread out over two 15-week semesters. Credits earned during the certificate can apply to B.F.A. in Graphic Design if students decide to pursue higher education. The only requirements to apply for this program are a high school diploma or equivalent. Students must take classes in order and may not complete any ‘semester 2’ offerings during their first term. The classes provide a foundation in design principles and teach how to communicate through typography, layout, image, and color using Adobe software.
- Cost: $2,895
- Length: 30 Weeks
- Modality: Online
Deep Dive Coding
Albuquerque, NM
The Digital Media Certificate from Deep Dive Coding is a 12-week program available in-person and online via Zoom. This course is designed for individuals interested in graphic design who also want to learn more about commercial animation and computer-generated graphics (CGI). Applicants must have a high school diploma and a general understanding of computer, internet, and digital peripheral device skills. Students must use their own laptops equipped with webcam, microphone, and internet access, providing a minimum of 3.8Mpbs/3.0Mbps.
- Cost: $10,995
- Length: 12 Weeks
- Modality: Online and In-Person
Devmountain
Lehi, UT
Devmountain offers a UX Design Online Bootcamp for those who want to specialize in this area of the field. While graphic design focuses on the visual components of digital products, UX design builds on this foundation by confirming that these designs are not only appealing but also functional and user-friendly. The program costs $9,900 and is structured as a 16-week part-time course. To apply, no previous UX is needed, but a basic understanding of design principles can be beneficial. Students must complete an application and be prepared to work on collaborative projects.
- Cost: $9,900
- Length: 16 Weeks Part-Time
- Modality: Online
Emory Continuing Education
Atlanta, GA
The Graphic Design & Visual Communications Certificate from Emory Continuing Education is a three-month program totaling $2,495. Included with tuition is access to 20+ Adobe Creative Cloud apps and 15 Adobe Stock images per month. It is held fully online, and prospective students must complete an application form to register, along with proof of high school diploma or equivalent. At least 50% of the total tuition must be paid at registration as a deposit. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks and any additional materials. Classes cover design principles like color theory and composition while providing hands-on experience with industry applications.
- Cost: $2,495
- Length: 3 Months
- Modality: Online
General Assembly
New York, NY
General Assembly’s Visual Design Short Course is available as an eight-week part-time program that awards students with a signed certificate of completion. The total cost for tuition and materials is $3,500, though the school offers installment plans and several financing methods. Some students/programs may qualify for workforce development or government-sponsored initiatives; students should contact the school directly for more information. Topics covered throughout the program include visual design fundamentals and UX and responsive design principles to prepare aspiring designers with career skills.
- Cost: $3,500
- Length: 8 Weeks
- Modality: Online
Noble Desktop
New York, NY
The Graphic Design Certificate from Noble Desktop is a program available live online or in-person at the school’s Midtown Manhattan campus. There are both full-time and part-time schedules that allow participants to complete the course in as little as one month or three months, attending nights/weekends. Tuition costs a total of $2,995 and includes proprietary workbooks designed by a team of experts. Payment options are available, with students being able to choose from installments, financing, and corporate invoicing. Participants will learn how to work with Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator and have a chance to build a portfolio of work for potential employers.
- Cost: $2,995
- Length: 1 Month Full-Time, 3 Months Part-Time
- Modality: In-person and Online
Pratt Institute
Brooklyn, NY
Pratt Institute’s Continuing and Professional Studies department hosts the Graphic Design Certificate in-person and online. The estimated tuition is around $8,000, but the total price can vary. Classes are held over Zoom and cover Adobe Creative Cloud programs. There are also core requirements for students, including brand design and corporate identity, graphic design and typography fundamentals, and a portfolio section. Students must also choose one elective class to fulfill requirements. Tuition must be paid in full, or applicants can secure private loans to cover the costs. Scholarships do not apply to the school’s certificate programs. Certificates are awarded once the entire curriculum is completed.
- Cost: $8,000
- Length: 12-18 Months
- Modality: In-person and Online
Prime Academy
Minneapolis, MN
The User Experience Design course from Prime Academy is available in-person for those local to Minneapolis and in an online format. The application process includes a short essay portion, logic puzzles, and creative challenges to show the school your unique thought process. There is also an interview portion where applicants must meet with the admissions team to finalize the procedure. Applicants should receive a decision within 2-3 weeks. The tuition is $18,000, with a $500 discount for those who pay in full. There is also a ‘pay as you go’ option that provides a low upfront cost.
- Cost: $18,000
- Length: 14 Weeks Full-Time
- Modality: In-person and Online
Rhode Island School of Design
Providence, RI
The Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) Graphic Design Certificate is a fully online program that takes roughly two years to complete. Applicants must be over 18 and have a high school diploma or equivalent. The tuition is $10,210 but does not include any software or materials. Students must complete at least 36 contact hours in elective courses as well as Level I and Level II designated classes. The certificate course is available only on a part-time basis, and international students are encouraged to apply. Core concepts include learning about design principles, visual thinking, and designing with digital technology.
- Cost: $10,210
- Length: 2 Years
- Modality: Online
School of Visual Concepts
Seattle, WA
Another school offering specialized certificates is the School of Visual Concepts, with all classes held live over Zoom. No course recordings are provided, so attendance is a highlighted element of this program. This UX design-focused certificate has 50 weeks of study covering core and supporting topics, as well as workshops focused on building hands-on tech skills. The tuition for this program is $9,895 and requires a 50% deposit at the time of registration. There’s also an installment plan available offering ten monthly payments after a $250 set up fee.
- Cost: $9,895
- Length: 50 Weeks
- Modality: Online and In-Person
Shillington Education
New York, NY
Shillington Graphic Design Course is an online program that takes roughly three months to complete on a full-time schedule and nine months on a part-time basis. Registration includes 590 hours of instruction and study time. The program begins by covering design fundamentals before moving onto sections titled ‘Design Applied’ and ‘Design for Employment.’ Participants can miss no more than four classes with full-time enrollment and nine classes for part-time schedules. There are no prerequisites outside of a high school diploma and basic computer knowledge.
- Cost: $13,000
- Length: 3 Months Full-Time, 9 Months Part-Time
- Modality: Online
Surry Community College
Dobson, NC
The Digital Media Technology: Graphic Design Certificate from Surry Community College is an online program with varying tuition. In-state students can expect to pay $1,292 before books and materials, while out-of-state students encounter costs of $4,556 before extras. The curriculum is designed to teach beginners the skills needed to pursue entry-level jobs in the digital design and multimedia industry. There’s a focus on building skills in communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving, as well as interface design, multimedia formats, and application programming, among others.
- Cost: In-state $1,292 & Out-of-state $4,556
- Length: 3 Months
- Modality: Online
The New School
New York, NY
The New School has a Graphic and Digital Design that takes anywhere from nine weeks to 18 months to complete. The course runs in-person and online, with a total cost of $7,800. The curriculum covers basic skills in concept, type, layout, and color and training in industry software. Students must pass at least eight courses to receive their certificates, which include an introductory class followed by sections on digital imaging with Photoshop, graphic design history, and creating digital graphics with Illustrator. The school also has certificates focusing on fashion design and interior design.
- Cost: $7,800
- Length: 18 Months
- Modality: In-person and Online
UCLA Extension
Los Angeles, CA
The Design Communication Arts Certificate from UCLA Extension is a program available both online and in-person for those local to Los Angeles. All of the curriculum can be completed online for those who are remotely learning. The program tuition is $10,250, totaling $12,250, with the addition of the required textbooks. There is also a $250 application and candidacy fee that is nonrefundable. The program consists of 11 core classes, two electives, and an optional design software bootcamp with three additional courses.
- Cost: $12,250
- Length: 1 Year Full-Time, 2 Years Part-Time
- Modality: Online and In-Person
University of Massachusetts Lowell
Lowell, MA
Located just over 30 miles from Boston, the University of Massachusetts Lowell offers a Certificate Program in Graphic Design and Digital Imaging. There are ten courses in the curriculum that require 30 credits total for completion. It’s important to note that some courses are only offered during specific semesters, which can increase the time frame. Each student in a certificate program at UMass Lowell must maintain a grade point average of 2,000 or better to earn their credentials. Students who begin a certificate program have five years to work through the material before they need to re-register.
- Cost: $11,640
- Length: 10 Months
- Modality: Online
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX
The University of Texas at Austin has an online Graphic Design Certificate Program that takes 13 weeks to complete. Tuition sits at $3,899, with the Road to Success Scholarship and payment plans available as options to offset initial costs. Certificates are awarded at the end of the program, and the Graphic Design Certificate gives students a Gold Seal Certificate for their hard work. The classes focus on learning to use Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, and After Effects, along with building static and motion graphics projects. The certificate concludes with every student finishing a portfolio of work and receiving a certificate of completion.
- Cost: $3,899
- Length: 13 Weeks
- Modality: Online
University of Utah Professional Education
Salt Lake City, UT
The UX/UI Bootcamp offered by the University of Utah Professional Education is an online program that costs $11,995. Students earn the certificate after 24 weeks of study, dedicating ten hours per week to classes. No prior experience is needed to register, and applicants do not need to be current students at the University of Utah. Students will also receive portfolio reviews, resume and social media profile support, career content, and practice sessions throughout the program.
- Cost: $11,995
- Length: 24 Weeks
- Modality: Online
UNLV Continuing Education
Las Vegas, NV
UNLV Continuing Education’s Print & Graphic Design Certificate Program has varying costs between $1,236—$2,033. The certificate is available fully online and in-person, taking five months to complete on a full-time schedule and 12 months when attending part-time. There are two distinct sections students must complete to receive their certificates, including classes covering graphic design and print design. There are also several elective courses one can choose from to reach the required hours needed.
- Cost: $1,236—$2,033
- Length: 5 Months Full-Time, 12 Months Part-Time
- Modality: Online and In-Person
UT Austin
Austin, TX
The UX/UI Bootcamp from UT Austin prepares students to secure entry-level UX and UI Design positions. The program takes 24 weeks to complete and costs $11,995. Potential students need to complete the admissions interview and application process to be considered, as well as take a multiple-choice critical thinking and problem-solving assessment. Payment options are available, which must be determined before leaving a deposit and officially registering. There are various support services, including career content and practice sessions and access to quarterly Tech Talks.
- Cost: $11,995
- Length: 24 Weeks
- Modality: Online
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Graphic Design Certificate Worth It?
Programs like graphic design certificates and bootcamps are skills-focused, which is what hiring managers are looking for when filling these roles. Certificate courses are able to be completed in a fraction of the time compared to a traditional degree and typically come with a considerably lower cost. Overall, graphic design certificates are excellent training options, but measuring if a course is “worth it” or not comes down to your personal learning style and goals.
How Do I Know Which Certificate Program is Best for Me?
Every design certificate, whether focusing on graphic design as a whole or zoning into specific niche areas like UX or web design, will have different outcomes based on the curriculum and other varying factors. When sifting through numerous programs available, it’s important to keep certain elements in mind such as pricing, course length, modality, and any additional perks. Be sure to weigh each of these against your personal objectives to determine which fits best with your personal and professional goals.
Do Companies Hire Graphic Design Certificate Graduates?
Yes, many companies have a skills-first hiring approach where certificate and bootcamp graduates shine thanks to these training methods. Any type of education or display of abilities in a portfolio is valuable to potential employers, as every designer will have their own unique strengths. The best way to highlight your abilities is to add a variety of content to your portfolio and make adjustments to the entries based on the job you’re trying to land.