Certificates

Comics Studies Undergraduate Certificate with Baccalaureate

Application Requirements for Comics Studies Certificate

In order to receive the certificate, students must:

  1. be admitted as a PSU student.
  2. meet academic standards--Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 in the following categories:
    1. all undergraduate course work outside PSU (if applicable)
    2. all PSU graded credits.
      1. 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.
  3. 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

Eng 496Comics Theory

4

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 297Book Arts

4

Art 2/399Creating Short Comics: Practical Comic Creation

4

Art 356Visual Storytelling

4

Art 370Topics in Printmaking Techniques

4

Art 455Time-Based Art Studio

4

Eng 306UTopics in Literature and Popular Culture

4

Eng 410Special Topics in Comics Studies

4

Eng 497Comics History

4

Jpn 343Topics in Japanese Literature (In Translation)

4

Phl 317UPhilosophy of Art

4

WLL 448UMajor Figures in World Literature

4

Wr 300Topics in Composition

4

Wr 398Topics: Writing Comics

4

Wr 400Special Topics: Advanced Writing for Comics

4

Wr 460Introduction to Book Publishing

4

Wr 462Book 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.