Dual Credit
High School Students • Parents • Working Adults
Fast-Track Your Design Degree. Save Thousands.
Smart Higher Education Starting in High School
Information for Parents: The Cost Savings Advantage
The Financial & Academic Impact
$0 High School Tuition: Transcripted credit courses taken in high school cost nothing in college tuition, saving families thousands of dollars toward a higher education degree.
Accelerated Degree Progression: Students can enter MATC with up to a full semester of required coursework already completed, allowing for earlier graduation and faster entry into the job market.
Seamless University Transfer: Credits earned at MATC transfer smoothly to four-year design universities,allowing families to complete the first two years of a Bachelor’s degree at a fraction of university tuition rates.
High school transcripted credits are actual college credits recorded directly on an official MATC transcript, giving your student a head start on their Graphic Design Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree or Production Artist Technical Diploma.
Turn Your High School Classes Into MATC College Credit
High School Students: Applying Transcripted Credit
If your high school offers MATC transcripted credit courses, you can directly satisfy Graphic Design program requirements before graduating high school.
How to Apply Your Credits
Complete Eligible High School Coursework: Earn a grade of B or higher in approved high school graphic design classes.
Check Your High School Transcript: Log into MATC Self-Service to confirm your earned transcripted credits are applied directly toward your Graphic Design program requirements.
- Enroll at MATC: Reach out to the MATC GRDS Faculty for assistance in streamlining your application and admission in to the program.
Turn Your Real-World Experience Into Academic Credit
Adult Learners: Credit for Prior Learning & Experience (CPLE)
Already have professional experience in print production, freelance design, web management, or digital media? Through Credit for Prior Learning & Experience (CPLE), MATC recognizes the skills and knowledge you have built on the job.
Ways to Earn CPLE Credits
Portfolio Assessment: Demonstrate mastery of core course competencies—such as Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, or layout design—by submitting a professional portfolio for evaluation by MATC design faculty.
Credit by Exam: Test out of foundational design courses by completing comprehensive practical design exams and technical demonstrations.
Industry Certifications: Convert active professional credentials, such as Adobe Certified Professional certifications, into direct college credits.
Workplace & Military Experience: Translate documented professional workplace training or military service experience into academic credit toward your design degree.
Start at MATC, Finish at a Four-Year University
Four-Year University Transfer Options
Your credits don’t stop at MATC. Our Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Graphic Design offers smooth transfer pathways to premier four-year institutions for students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.
Primary Four-Year Transfer Partners
Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD): Transfer seamlessly into upper-level studio programs with art and design credits intact.
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee (UWM): Transition into the Peck School of the Arts to complete a four-year degree.
UW-System: Apply your technical and applied graphic design credits toward specialized design majors.
Concordia University Wisconsin: Build on your MATC associate degree to earn a four-year bachelor’s degree.
Earning your general education and introductory graphic design credits at MATC allows you to complete the first two years of your Bachelor’s degree at a fraction of university tuition rates.
