Penn College

Penn College to add bachelor's degree in Web design, multimedia

An innovative and industry-responsive bachelor’s degree, which combines time-tested, art-related education with sophisticated tools in Web design, will be offered later this year at Pennsylvania College of Technology.

The Web design and multimedia major is the newest of Penn College’s popular “two-plus-two” offerings, and is specifically fashioned for students who have completed associate-degree requirements in art or an allied field and wish to further their education in an online baccalaureate program.

The curriculum – developed by Pat Coulter and Denise S. Leete, associate professors of computer science in the college’s School of Business and Computer Technologies – will be offered starting with the Fall 2010 semester.

“In building this degree, we mainly looked at taking two-year graphic design students and giving them business and information technology skills,” Coulter explained. “The result is that we will be graduating a very well-rounded person.”

She said the new degree was reviewed in a conference call over the summer by members of the school’s Information Technology Advisory Committee, those in the workplace who keep abreast of ever-changing business/industry needs and help steer Penn College students toward in-demand employment opportunities.

A growing need exists for employees who can express a company’s message and image by creating artistic and professional designs using the latest Web and multimedia tools and techniques. Career opportunities include Web designers and developers, multimedia specialists and positions in Internet publishing.

“The major courses particularly will appeal to the broader spectrum of graphics students,” Coulter said, as the level of computer-programming knowledge is less daunting than for IT majors.

Additionally attractive, especially for associate-degree holders already working in the field, is that the major will be taught through distance learning on a schedule that isn’t likely to interfere with existing employment.

While the new major is designed for working professionals who have earned associate degrees in fine arts, graphic design, communications and related areas, those with two-year diplomas in other disciplines can be evaluated for acceptance. The online degree requires approximately 65 credits beyond the associate degree and can be completed in two years.

In addition, it will help prepare students to sit for the nationally recognized Certified Internet Web (CIW) Professional Associate Design Specialist examination. Students earning that credential gain a valuable resume component, demonstrating their proficiency in the creation and management of advanced Web design.

For more information about the new online bachelor’s degree in Web design and multimedia at Penn College, visit http://www.pct.edu/schools/bct/webdesign; for more about all of the course offerings within the School of Business and Computer Technologies, visit http://www.pct.edu/schools/bct or call 570-327-4517.

For more general information about the college and its “degrees that work,” visit http://www.pct.edu, e-mail admissions@pct.edu or call 800-367-9222.

Last Updated January 29, 2010

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