Apr 03, 2025  
2015-2016 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2015-2016 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Information Design and Communication M.S.

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The MS program in Information Design and Communication has been developed in response to a growing need for professionals in the expanding field of information design, information architecture, content development, communications management, and visual communication.

The basic objectives of the program are:

To educate those persons with diverse academic and work backgrounds who seek to begin their careers in the field of information design and communication, and
To provide a useful credential for current information designers and technical communicators who need advanced training to move ahead in their careers, either as employees or managers of a company or as independent consultants.

The Information Design and Communication program offers students a MS Degree with the choice of three program options - an Internship Option, a Thesis Option, and an all Course Work Option. A graduate certificate in Technical Communication, and four advanced certificates in User Experience, Communication Management, Visual Communication, and User Experience.
 

*Important Note About the Master’s of Science in Information Design and Communication Degree*

No new majors are being accepted into the program at this time.  All information in this catalog is for the current Master’s of Science in Information and Instructional Design majors only. 

Students should see their academic advisor and refer to the 2014-2015 SPSU Graduate Catalog http://catalog.spsu.edu for more information.

Degree Requirements

MSIDC students are required to take the following courses:

  • IDC 6001 - Professional Practices of Communication (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6002 - Information Design (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6030 - Visual Design Strategy (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6004 - Research Methods (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6110 - Communications Project Management (3 credit hours)
  • IDC Electives - Select 5 elective courses with an IDC prefix (15 credit hours)
  • IDC Option - (Select one of the options listed below) (6 Credit hours)

Internship Option

  • Internship (IDC 7601-IDC 7603) 

While taking the internship, students may enroll in a maximum of 9 hours per semester: 3 hours of internship plus two courses or 6 hours of internship plus one course.

Thesis Option

  • Thesis (IDC 7801-IDC 7803, six-hour minimum) 

When taking the thesis, students may enroll in a maximum of 9 hours per semester-to include no more than 3 hours of thesis per semester.

All Coursework Option

  • Select an additional 2 elective courses (6 hours) with an IDC prefix.

Note:

IDC 6001, IDC 6002, and IDC 6030 MUST be taken by all students. These courses provide essential background for the program and for a career in information design. 

IDC 6001 must be taken the first semester in which a student is enrolled. NOTE: Students are restricted to one course in their first semester to ensure success in getting underway with the program.

Electives for IDC Option

  • IDC 6005 - Visual Thinking (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6010 - Writing Across Media (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6015 - Strategic Communication (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6035 - Information Graphics (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6042 - Applied Digital Graphics (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6045 - Foundations of Multimedia (3 credit hours)
  • IID 6050 - Instructional Applications of Multimedia Design (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6060 - Strategies for Global Communication (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6071 - User Assistance (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6080 - Professional Oral Presentations (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6090 - Medical Communication (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6120 - Usability Testing (3 credit hours)
  • IDC 6135 - Website Design (3 credit hours)
  • IID 6140 - Instructional Systems Design (3 credit hours)
  • IID 6145 - Human Performance Technology 3 Credits
  • IID 6155 - Online Instructional Development 3 Credits
  • IDC 6150 - Marketing Communication 3 Credits
  • IDC 6175 - Digital Rhetoric 3 Credits
  • IDC 6180 - Information Architecture 3 Credits
  • IDC 6210 - Business Analysis 3 Credits
  • IDC 6220 - Mobile User Experience 3 Credits
  • IDC 6240 - Content Strategy 3 Credits
  • IDC 6903 - Special Topics 1 to 3 Credits
  • IDC 7503 - Independent Study 3 Credits

Program Total (36 Credit Hours)

Note:

Graduate students may take up to 9 hours outside of the program with prior approval from both the Graduate Coordinator and the Department Chair.

A grade of “B” or better is required in all courses that are applied to graduation (with the exception of the internship and thesis, which require an “S”).

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