Master Web Design andOnline Communication

A Bright Future for Web DesignersCommunications professionals with digital skills are in high demand as businesses, nonprofits and public-sector agencies increasingly use the Internet to engage consumers and advocates. According to a recent study by Bullhorn, 64 percent of recruiters are facing a shortage of skilled applicants for digital marketing positions. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the employment of web developers will increase 27 percent over the next decade, much quicker than the average of all other occupations. This demand is driving higher earnings for qualified individuals.

Careers in the online communication industry are as varied as the people needed to fill them. Some positions require more design skills or writing talents, while others attract conceptual thinkers and strategists. Salaries for these positions often exceed $100,000 per year. A few examples of digital communication jobs include:

• Digital Marketing Strategist• Web Designer• Brand Manager• Marketing Director• Online Marketing Manager• Web Content Coordinator• Graphic Designer• Online Campaign Strategist

• Web Manager• Digital Media Manager• Digital Media Director• Senior Web Producer

Why Should I Earn a Master’s Degree?• According to Kiplinger, individuals with an advanced degree on average earn nearly $23,000 per year more than people with a

bachelor’s degree.• Your master’s degree can open up a wider array of career opportunities, establish you as the perfect candidate for job

promotions, and help you to transition to a new profession.• Graduate studies can enhance your undergraduate education while updating you on the latest technology and advancements

in your field.

What Makes this Degree Program Unique?• As a top public institution, our tuition rates for this online degree are low compared to other programs with similar focuses.• Students learn by doing. You will apply methods and theories to practical, real-world problems. Learn how to utilize your

degree by actually using it.• With our special Master Access feature, ensure that your degree never goes out of date. Continue in courses in all of our MAMC

specializations for years to come, helping you stay on the leading edge of communications.• Our online MAMC programs are just as rigorous, interactive, and prestigious as UF’s on-campus master’s degree programs,

with the advantage of flexibility in your schedule.• As a member of the more than 360,000 alumni of the Gator Nation, your career path will be backed by the prestige and

network of one of the nation’s leading universities.

What is the Graduate Certificate Option?The graduate certificate is a popular option for students who wish to enroll in the Web Design and Online Communication specialization without first taking the GRE, or for those who want an introduction to the concepts without committing to the full master’s degree track. If you choose, you can prepare for and take the GRE while earning your graduate certificate over the course of two semesters. Then, once you successfully complete the GRE, you can apply to the full master’s degree track and transfer your credits.

Who Ensures the Relevance and Value of Our Program?A group of industry professionals guide the curriculum and course focus of the Web Design and Online Communication specialization. These individuals not only bring a wealth of experience to inform the program, but also represent top organizations in the industry, including Adobe, Netflix, and the MECLABS Institute.

How Does Our Program Work?All of our classes are online, taught by experienced and engaged professionals. Our program creates a collaborative environment through the Canvas learning management system to encourage sharing ideas. Some classes are taught live via Adobe Connect to allow for real-time interactions with professors and peers. For more information, visit our FAQ page on the program website.

Course SequenceYou can earn your master’s degree specializing in Web Design and Online Communication in as little as 18 months. Most students complete the required 37 credit hours in five semesters.Finish with a capstone experience in which you complete a full campaign for a real-world client. Explore a suggested program timeline below.

Semester 1

Digital Media Layout and DesignLearn layout and design principles for web and print using Adobe InDesign.

Web Design PrinciplesMaster the foundations of web design using wireframes, site mockups, and HTML and CSS web languages.

Semester 2

Digital Imagery in Web DesignCreate effective visual ‘language’ and integrated media campaigns with Adobe Photoshop.

Corporate and Brand Identity on the WebApply the principles of logo and identity design using Adobe Illustrator.

Semester 3

Advanced Web Topics 1Utilize HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript to develop websites.

Web Interactivity and EngagementUnderstand content management systems and learn templating, PHP and best practices.

Semester 4

Advanced Web Topics 2Learn responsive design, advanced JavaScript & jQuery, and version control via Git/GitHub.

Professional InternshipParticipate in an internship to develop skills and connect with employers.

Research Methods in Digital CommunicationsLearn SEO, analytics, and web usability to effectively reach audiences online.

Semester 5

Digital Communication TheoryExamine the theoretical foundations of new media communication.

Strategic Communication: Ethics and ConceptsExplore strategic communication strategies and the impact of ethical issues.

Semester 6

Professional Capstone ExperienceApply all you learned to create a strategic campaign for a global organization or business.

Who are the Professors in this Program?There are 10 professionals who teach the wide variety of graphic design, web development, and strategic communication classes in this program. Below are just a few instructors you will learn from first-hand as a master’s degree student in Web Design and Online Communication:

Kenny Zaron is currently a web developer within the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. He is responsible for several different web applications and working with a biological station, a program development center, and a center for remote sensing. Kenny also served as the IT specialist at Girls Place Inc., with his claim to fame being that his SEO work led Michelle Obama to select the organization for a visit while she was visiting the area on a campaign tour.

Robert Hughes has more than 30 years of experience in communications leadership positions in the corporate world, the agency world, education, and professional organizations. Robert has won accolades at Georgia Power, McDonald, and Little. He serves as the executive director for Utility Communicators International. The Atlanta Business Chronicle named him “Atlanta’s Best Marketing Director,” and he’s been the president of the Atlanta chapter of the American Marketing Association in addition to the vice president and board member of the Atlanta Ad Club.

Jennifer Braddock works in the field of social media as a part-time blogger and social media consultant. With her background as a manager of inside sales for an international logistics provider and researcher of intercultural communication and Facebook usage, she brings real-world, current experience with digital communication to the virtual classroom setting as she guides students through an exploration of mass communication paradigms.

“I had thought about a master’s degree for a long time, and it was a matter

of time commitment, financial commitment, and making it work with working full time. Frankly, for about five to 10 years, I had not found the mix that

made it work – this made it work.”

Joni JamesChief Executive Officer

St. Petersburg Downtown Partnership

“At the beginning of the program, I knew next to nothing, and by the end of the program, I

had created an extensive portfolio of Web and Graphic Design work. The professors in my

program were super helpful and made me feel confident in the work I was producing.”

Amber AllenBusiness Manager

UF Clinical & Translational Science Institute

“My degree helps me translate complicated coding operations, web processes, and IT/third

party support information into a context that my superiors appreciate. Having someone on staff who can

talk both marketing AND back-end coding has saved them money, and being that person ensured I had job

security.”

Christopher LawOnline Communications Specialist

Memorial Health System

What Do Our Alumni Have to Say?

What Do Other People Say About Our Programs?

Named one of the top Master of Arts in Mass

Communication programs in the nation by Super

Scholar.

SmartMoney ranks University

of Florida as one of the top

institutions for tuition-

to-graduate-salary value.

U.S. News & World Report

calls this distance education

program a top performer in

online degree programs.

University of Florida named one of the 25 best online

collegesat “The Best

Schools.”

About the University of FloridaFounded in 1853, the University of Florida is a public land-grant, sea-grant and space-grant research university, one of the most comprehensive in the United States. Led by University President W. Kent Fuchs, UF’s commitment to provide the highest quality education at the best value for all students has resulted in its consistent ranking among the top universities in the country. The University’s mission is to enable students to lead and influence the next generation and beyond for economic, cultural, and societal benefit.

The University of Florida has more than 360,000 alumni, residing in every state and more than 100 foreign countries. UF alumni include two Nobel Prize winners, eight NASA astronauts, 10 U.S. Senators, 42 U.S. Representatives, eight U.S. ambassadors, 11 state governors, 11 state Supreme Court justices, and over 50 federal court judges. Florida graduates have served as executive leaders of such diverse institutions as the U.S. Marine Corps and the National Organization for Women.

About the UF College of Journalism & CommunicationsConsidered one of the nation’s best and led by Dean Diane McFarlin, the University of Florida’s College of Journalism and Communications is globally recognized for the strength of its programs, faculty, students, and alumni.

Boasting curricula combining conceptual and theoretical instruction with skills training, the College’s degree programs ensure students have the opportunity to apply what they are learning in professional settings to create a productive learning experience.

To provide quality master’s degrees for working professionals and students from a distance, the College has developed several innovative mass communication programs, including Global Strategic Communication, Public Relations and Communication Management, Web Design and Online Communication, and Social Media.

Did You Know?

Notable alumni of the University of Florida include:

Erin Andrews, journalist, host of FOX College Football and participant on Dancing with the Stars

Carey Cavanaugh, former U.S. Ambassador, current director of Patterson School of Diplomacy

Mark Erstling, senior vice president and chief operating officer for the Association of Public

Television Stations

Corporations rank UF among the top 10 places to recruit new

employees. In 2014, Kiplinger's ranked UF third for

best value, and Fiske Guide to Colleges

listed UF third for best buys among public

institutions.

In 1965, a team of UF scientists developed Gatorade, a beverage

that helps athletes stay hydrated better

than water.

Since 1968, 145 Gator athletes and 13 Florida coaches have represented

37 countries in the Olympics.

UF scientists developed Sentricon, a revolutionary termite elimination

system that protects more than 2 million structures, including the

Statue of Liberty, the White House, the Alamo, and most of the French

Quarter of New Orleans.

A Simple Application ProcessMeet these requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university• GPA of 3.0 or better for overall undergraduate studies• GPA of 3.0 or better for all upper-division undergraduate work

Prepare these items:

• GRE test results: 550/156 verbal, 550/146 quantitative• Statement of purpose/goals• Resume• Three letters of recommendation• Florida residency documents, if needed• English proficiency exam, if international

Fill out the online application.

Send your additional documentation to the University and the College.

Who Is Right for the Web Design and Online Communication Program?The Web Design and Online Communication program provides a comprehensive view of the digital landscape. Utilizing a course schedule that conforms to your needs, you’ll graduate prepared to manage online marketing initiatives, create brand strategies, lead development teams and more. Today’s organizations demand practitioners who can tie these skills together – digital professionals. With a master’s degree specializing in Web Design and Online Communication from the University of Florida, you’ll be ideally suited to help these companies and nonprofits reach the audiences who depend on them.

Want to Apply?The MAMC Program has the following deadlines:

Summer Semester – April 1

Fall Semester – July 1

Spring Semester – November 1

For full admission details, including GRE requirements and financial aid, use the email address below to speak to your enrollment advisor.

distancesupport@jou.ufl.edu

Learn more at webdesign.jou.ufl.edu

Graphics designed by Freepik