portfolio review

The Graphic Design major at California State University, Sacramento is one of the most highly sought after programs in northern California. The high demand for entry into the program has exceeded the available resources, therefore the major has been declared impacted by California State University.
To be declared as a major and be permitted to enroll in upper division coursework a supplemental application and portfolio must be submitted.

portfolio review application 2009 packet
portfolio review online workshop

Frequently Asked Questions

• I’ve heard the CSUS Graphic Design program is impacted? What does this mean?
  The Graphic Design program is officially impacted as of the fall 2004 semester. This status was granted by the CSU System and is reflected in the new 2004-2006 CSUS catalog. Impaction basically means the program’s demand has exceeded its available resources. Such a classification enables the impacted major to apply supplemental criteria to regulate the number of students entering it.
• How does the new impacted status affect me?
  Students entering the Graphic Design program fall 2004 forward will be classified as Pre-Graphic Design majors (PGP). Once students have been accepted through a supplemental application, they will be re-classified as an official Graphic Design major (GPHD) by the CSUS Registrar.
• I’m under earlier catalog rights, so does this change still affect me?
  Yes, all students, even if they hold earlier catalog rights, will be required to adhere to the major’s new supplemental criteria requirement. However, this will not affect the catalog rights you’ve used for your general education and university graduation requirements.
• But what if I’ve already fulfilled the lower division prerequisites for the major?
  The program will still honor lower division prerequisites taken before the catalog change, however, you will be required to minimally take GPHD-25 and GPHD-30 before applying for full major status. This will not add additional units to your final unit count, as the new catalog rights require more lower division and less upper division. In other words, using the new catalog rights will not require more units than your previous catalog.
• What does the supplemental criteria entail?
  The supplemental criteria consists of an application packet and a physical portfolio documenting work
  completed in key lower division prerequisite courses. The packet for the Spring 2005 application
  review can be obtained in the Department of Design main office (Mariposa Hall 5001) or online at http://www.csus.edu/design/gphd/gphd_home.htm. Be sure you download the PDF specifically for the
  Spring 2009 Review. It explains the requirements of the portfolio in-depth.
• How far in advance should I prepare for the supplemental application?
  Supplemental applications are reviewed annually in the middle of spring semester for fall acceptance. You will need two semesters to prepare for the application, as you’ll need time to take specific prerequisite classes, some of which are only available at CSUS. If you are entering in the fall, you want to be sure you take GPHD-05 and GPHD-25 your first semester. In the spring semester, you should register for GPHD-20 and GPHD-30. ART-20A, PHOT-40 and GPHD-10, must be taken in one of the two aforementioned semesters if their equivalents have not been successfully completed before coming to CSUS. Side-by-side comparisons of these courses with area community colleges can be found at http://www.assist.org.
• How long does the application review take?
  After the submission deadline, applications are juried by the Graphic Design program’s full-time faculty. From this process, the faculty will determine the candidates that fill the number of available spots for the fall. The whole process takes roughly two weeks with feedback letters sent out just before or after Spring Break.
• What do I do if I DON’T get accepted through the supplemental application?
  You can either wait another year to re-apply with a stronger portfolio OR you will need to change your major. Alternative majors include Art Studio, Interior Design and Photography as their coursework leverage some of the same coursework taken for Graphic Design.
• How many times can I re-apply?
  There is no limit to the number of times a candidate can re-apply.
• What happens if I DO get accepted?
  Then you will be changed from a PGP major to a full-fledged GPHD major and you will be required to enter the Graphic Design upper division sequence in the fall of the same year. The sequence is a four-semester cycle.
• Since the program is now impacted, does this mean I’ll have a hard time getting upper division classes
  once I’m accepted?
  No. Once students are accepted through the supplemental application, they are divided into cohort sections that have predetermined sections of GPHD courses reserved for them each semester. There will be some courses that still need to be added through regular registration methods (i.e., required upper division electives, and any outstanding lower division or G.E. coursework), but for the most part, all cohort students will be hand-enrolled into the core upper division courses each semester. This enables the program to smoothly channel students through the upper division in four semesters. The issue of impaction is not an factor once a student has made it past the supplemental application; the only sticking point to them getting a class they need--- outside of the GPHD-prefixed courses--- is their university assigned registration date.
• Once accepted, will I have a choice as to which predetermined schedule I’m assigned?
  We definitely let people mark their preferences, but we cannot guarantee students will get the schedule they desire. Students will need to make adjustments to work schedules and other activities that may conflict with their assigned schedule for the year.
• What if a student drops out of the program once in the upper division sequence?
  Since classes are only offered once a year and all upper division coursework is prerequisite to the next semester’s coursework, a student essentially forfeits their spot in that year of cohorts if they drop out or fail to maintain the minimum grade requirement for each class. Any student who drops out of the program must consult the program coordinator to re-enter into the major sequence. All re-accepted students are looking at a one-year wait before re-entry.
• What is the minimum grade requirement for the major?
  For all coursework taken before fall 2004, the minimum grade required was “C-” or better. For all coursework taken fall 2004 forward, the minimum grade required is “C” or better. This is the case for all upper division AND lower division coursework.
• Is a computer purchase required for the major?
  We currently require a computer for upper division course work. For more information on suggested digital equipment, please refer to the link on our program web site: http://www.csus.edu/design/gphd/resource/specification.html
• What if I have more questions?
  Once the next semester begins, make an appointment with your assigned major advisor. To find out who your advisor is, refer to the advisement assignment sheet posted on the bulletin board outside the Department of Design (Mariposa 5001). If your name is not listed, inquire within the main office.
  
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