HATTIESBURG, Miss. ( WHLT ) – The University of Southern Mississippi’s (USM) Graphic Design Program received national recognition for a third consecutive year.

Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) magazine recognized the program among the Top Design Schools in the U.S. Such recognition is coveted by schools across the country. The selection is based on objective and subjective factors, focusing on personal, professional, and societal growth. USM is the only school in Mississippi ranked by GDUSA.

Chris Winstead, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, praised the strength of the graphic design program’s faculty and students.

“We know that when they graduate, they will be ready for the workplace and ready to make an impact,” Winstead said in a USM press release .

John Lawler, associate professor and graphic design area coordinator, also expressed pride in the USM program.

“Our students really embrace the rigor of the program with a sense of pride and a determination to be the best. Ultimately, the students are who make this program successful,” Lawler said. “I’m continuously amazed by the level of professionalism and talent they display on a daily basis.”

Jacob Cotton, associate professor of design, emphasized that recognition aside, the program’s students make a difference beyond graduation.

“The Graphic Design Program has a storied tradition of success, and every spring, we see our students graduate and move on to some of the best agencies in the country,” Cotton said.

USM’s graphic design bachelor of fine arts degree requires 124 credit hours to complete. According to USM, its focus is based on teaching visual literacy, developing conceptual, aesthetic, and visual skills, and becoming proficient with creative problem-solving. The program also offers experiential learning opportunities, where students get to work on real-world projects and can join one of its two student-led agencies: Rise Creative and SPVA Design and Marketing team.

To learn more about USM’s Art and Design programs , visit its website .

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