Quinnipiac will offer an online Master of Science degree in interactive communications beginning in the Fall 2008 semester.
Students in this accelerated 36-credit program will take one course per seven-week segment in the fall, spring and summer for a total of 18 credits per calendar year. Students can complete the program within two years.
The University will continue offering its on-campus master's program in interactive communications, which follows the traditional semester schedule and combines on-campus and online coursework. Graduates of the program work for interactive divisions of such global media companies as Avenue A/Razorfish, Disney, EG&G, Publicis Group and Young & Rubicam.
The online-only program provides the opportunity for media professionals worldwide to take advantage of the University's expertise in interactive communications as the transition from traditional print and broadcast platforms to the Internet accelerates.
"Quinnipiac receives many inquiries from reporters and communication professionals who want to join the interactive communications program, but can't because their schedules cannot be readily adjusted for the time commitment of a traditional classroom education," said Rich Hanley, director of graduate programs for the School of Communications.
Faculty members teach the courses in the online program, which has the same academic standards and curriculum as the on-campus program. Students learn from reading assignments, online presentations designed by professors and lively discussions with classmates where everyone shares comments about issues. Students take exams and submit written assignments online.
Interactive communications prepares students for professional careers as content producers and creative and project managers in interactive news, strategic communications, information services and entertainment. Interactive communications focuses on content development, including aesthetics, writing for interactive media, video, still images, sound and animation.
"This program will appeal to working media professionals who want to acquire technical and conceptual skills to advance in the online divisions of their companies," Hanley said.