Over 15 years ago, the USC Department of Visual Communication was established. Since then, hundreds of students have graduated from the department and joined the community of artists, graphic designers and visual arts researchers.

It aims to nurture the creative mind of students to do advertising work, enhance their technical and technological skills to enter the labor market and create a balance between them.

Its graduates are creative artists who are familiar with up-to-date designing technologies, equipped with analysis power and advertising management knowledge and qualified to do research on advertising and visual arts.

Master students of visual communication joined the department in 2013. Master’s program of visual communication is completely based on research and the students become familiar with communication and social theories to gain a deeper understanding of advertising and designing processes. They also find the ability to gain admission to and continue their studies at doctorate level.

The following are the priorities of the Department of Visual Communication:

• Identifying the current needs of the advertising labor market
• Adopting a new attitude to technology application in advertising
• Merging research and education
• Highlighting theory and analysis power

Duration and Details

It takes four years, including eight 16-week-long semesters to complete a bachelor’s degree in visual communication. The students should take a total of 137 credits; 23 general credits, 39 basic credits, 30 major credits, 41 specialized credits and four elective credits. The courses are theoretical, practical-theoretical or practical. The students should also take some supplementary courses designed to enhance their skills.

It takes two years, including four 16-week-long semesters to complete a master’s degree in visual communication. The students should take a total of 38 credits. They should also take some supplementary courses designed to enhance their skills during the first three semesters.