verified
Verified Information • Last Updated Mar 2026
Graphic Design
Welcome to Graphic Design, the second course in the Effective Communications Specialization. Over 70 different companies have provided this specialization to their employees as a resource for internal professional development. Why? Because employers know that effective visual communication is the key to attracting an audience, building a relationship, and closing the sale.
This practical course gives you the tools to create professional looking PowerPoints, reports, resumes, and presentations. Using a set of best practices refined through years of experience, you’ll:
• make your work look fresh and inspired.
• apply simple design “tricks” to begin any project with confidence and professionalism.
• receive and respond to criticism and revise your project from good to great.
"This course is fantastic. It teaches a great amount of starter graphic design information but it is broken down into easily understood videos and quizzes. The quality was top notch and the interaction was as good as you would get in a brick and mortar school. I did not feel like I was missing anything by taking it online." - a recent Graphic Design student
All of the course assignments can be completed with basic presentation software such as Microsoft PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Apple Keynote. You’ll also have opportunities to explore and apply more sophisticated tools, such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign.
This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that brings together faculty from CU Boulder’s departments of Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Information Science, and others. With performance-based admissions and no application process, the MS-DS is ideal for individuals with a broad range of undergraduate education and/or professional experience in computer science, information science, mathematics, and statistics. Learn more about the MS-DS program at https://www.coursera.org/degrees/master-of-science-data-science-boulder.
Duration
7 Months
Institution
University of Colorado Boulder
Format
Online
Eligibility Criteria
school
Academic Foundation
A recognized Bachelor’s degree or high school equivalent required for admission into University of Colorado Boulder.
language
Language Proficiency
English proficiency required. IELTS, TOEFL, or standard medium-of-instruction certificates accepted.
Detailed Fees Breakdown
Base Tuition Fee
$94
Total Est. Investment
$94
Scholarships and early-bird waivers may apply. Contact admissions for exact institutional fees.
Academic Trajectory
Program Outcome
Graduates of the Graphic Design program at University of Colorado Boulder are equipped with global perspectives, ready to excel in international markets and top-tier career opportunities.