Comics Studies Undergraduate Certificate with Baccalaureate
Application Requirements for Comics Studies Certificate
In order to receive the certificate, students must:
- be admitted as a PSU student.
- meet academic standards--Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the following categories:
- all undergraduate course work outside PSU (if applicable)
- all PSU graded credits.
- Students who do not meet these standards may apply with a statement explaining their background and academic plans and may be accepted on a probationary status.
- complete the online application.
To continue in the program, students are required to be in good academic standing, requiring a cumulative 3.00 GPA for all coursework taken at PSU and a term GPA of at least 2.67 each term.
Application Process
Deadlines: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.
University Application: Complete the University application.
Departmental Application: Complete the application at www.pdx.edu/comics-studies/apply
The Comics Studies application requires:
A statement of intent: A personal introduction that describes your interest in comics and comic art, your reasons for pursuing the Certificate in Comics Studies, and what most interests you about comics (creation, writing, editing, drawing, history, theory, critical scholarship, etc.).
Copies of transcripts from previously-attended universities and/or colleges.
Requirements
Core Requirement
Elective Options (Choose 5):
All courses counted towards the Comics Studies Certificate must be completed at Portland State; no transfer credits will be accepted.
Other courses (e.g., internships) may be substituted for electives at the direction of the Program Director.
Other courses in additional departments TBA.
| Art 297 | Book Arts | 4 |
| Art 2/399 | Creating Short Comics: Practical Comic Creation | 4 |
| Art 356 | Visual Storytelling | 4 |
| Art 370 | Topics in Printmaking Techniques | 4 |
| Art 455 | Time-Based Art Studio | 4 |
| Eng 306U | Topics in Literature and Popular Culture | 4 |
| Eng 410 | Special Topics in Comics Studies | 4 |
| Eng 497 | Comics History | 4 |
| Jpn 343 | Topics in Japanese Literature (In Translation) | 4 |
| Phl 317U | Philosophy of Art | 4 |
| WLL 448U | Major Figures in World Literature | 4 |
| Wr 300 | Topics in Composition | 4 |
| Wr 398 | Topics: Writing Comics | 4 |
| Wr 400 | Special Topics: Advanced Writing for Comics | 4 |
| Wr 460 | Introduction to Book Publishing | 4 |
| Wr 462 | Book Design Software | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 20 |
Please note that Wr 398 may be repeated for credit.
Eng 410: Special Topics in Comics Studies, listed above as an elective option, may include courses such as:
- Editing Comics
- Focus on Frank Miller/Will Eisner
- European Comics
- Autobiographical Comics
- Superheroes and Society
- Censorship and the Comics Code
Completion Requirements
To be awarded the certificate, students must complete the core requirement and 5 elective courses (for 24 total credits) with a grade of C or higher (or Pass) for each course.