Founded in the late 1970s, the program anticipated the day when information technologies would make such an integrated approach essential. The evolving curriculum has consistently prepared students to adapt to rapid changes in publications technology and business practice. Students come to the Publications Design program from a variety of educational backgrounds and work histories. Though many are already working in publishing or communications, a good number have no experience in these fields. These students share a fascination with the interaction of words and images and a commitment to exploring new modes of visual and verbal communication.
Students choose among several curricular options.
The principal program in Publications Design is appropriate for students who interested in the integration of professional writing and graphic design in public relations, advertising, corporate communication, journalism, and magazine editing and design. The specialization in creative writing and publishing arts is tailored for writers of fiction, literary nonfiction, and poetry who would like to explore nontraditional avenues to publication of creative work. The specialization in media design offers students the opportunity to focus on the relationships among communications theory, video production, and the integration of print, graphic design, and aural and visual content. Students who wish to emphasize hypermedia can combine the general strengths of the Publications Design program with an intelligent practical understanding of emerging digital technologies. As an extension beyond the M.A. degree, the recently introduced certificate programs allow students to pursue each of these emphases with a higher degree of specialization after completing the Master's Degree.