Briarcliffe College Introduces a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Graphic Design at Patchogue Campus

May 1, 2008

Board of Regents approval establishes Briarcliffe as only Suffolk County college campus to offer the degree

(Long Island, NY…May 1, 2008) Briarcliffe College has received approval from the New York State Board of Regents to offer the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Graphic Design at its Patchogue campus, Suffolk County. The program is designed to mirror the B.F.A. in Graphic Design now offered at the College's Bethpage campus, Nassau County.

"The goal of the B.F.A. program is to graduate focused and knowledgeable candidates for employment with graphic design firms, businesses, and various industries," said Briarcliffe College President Dr. George Santiago, Jr. "We are pleased to be able to offer the B.F.A. program and empower students to initiate or advance their career through an academic program that integrates theory and practice."

The B.F.A. degree is comprised of 129 credits, including a graphic design core of 75 credits, 9 graphic design technical electives, 6 credits in art electives, 30 credits in the liberal arts, and 9 credits in free electives.

According to Briarcliffe College Provost Kenneth Thigpen, "The B.F.A. candidate will be guided by highly credentialed faculty and upon graduation, vastly employable in today's market, with career skills including: art direction, desktop publishing, in-house design, layout artist, print technician, production artist, technical illustrator, typesetter, web designer, and more."

Briarcliffe College will be the only college campus in Suffolk County to offer a B.F.A. with an emphasis on graphic design. The Patchogue campus Associate's Degree program saw its graphic design population nearly double in seven years and its internship program grow successfully. These indicators motivated the College to file an application with the Board of Regents to meet the advanced interests of students.

The Higher Education Committee of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) undertook consideration of Briarcliffe College's application to amend its Master Plan as required by State regulation, recommending the vote to the full Board of Regents at its March 2008 meeting. This was approved, and the program is now registered with the state for delivery at the Patchogue Campus.

Briarcliffe College, established in 1966, offers two- and four-year degree programs, emphasizing career preparation and development. The private College has two Long Island locations — the main campus at 1055 Stewart Avenue in Bethpage, Nassau County; and a branch campus at 225 West Main Street in Patchogue, Suffolk County.

In 2005, Briarcliffe College received approval from NYSED to open an extension site in Queens, providing course work toward an Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Criminal Justice. Earlier this year, NYSED sanctioned official designation of The Queens Center of Briarcliffe College, located in Long Island City, approving the addition of new courses this May that provide students with credits toward an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Business Administration and a Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Management.

Briarcliffe College has an open enrollment policy, offers day and evening classes, and financial assistance. For online applications and details regarding student affairs, scholarships, transfers, financial aid available for those who qualify, and certificate and specialized degree programs including Graphic Design, Information Technology, and Digital Photography, visit www.briarcliffe.edu.

About Briarcliffe College: A proprietary institution with campuses in Bethpage, Patchogue and Queens, and a combined student body of more than 1800, Briarcliffe College is a career education college offering diploma, two- and four-year degree programs in Criminal Justice, Graphic Design, Business Administration, Digital Photography, Accounting, Office Technologies, and Information Technology.