MA, Publications Design
What do I send to the Admissions Office and what do I send to the PubDesign people?
Send your application (with application fee) and your statement of interest to the Office of Graduate Admissions. You should also have your undergraduate and any graduate transcripts sent to that office. When you come for your admissions interview with the program director, bring your resume, writing samples, and design portfolio. You may send your material to the program director in advance of your interview if you like.How do I set up my admissions interview?
You should email the program director, Stephanie Gibson (sgibson@ubalt.edu), to set up your admissions interview.What would you like to see in my design portfolio, and in what format would you like to see it?
The purpose of the portfolio is to show the program director your design skill level. You may show many pieces; if you have only a few, you should show those. Whatever you show should be representative of the design work you can do. The program director will use the work to determine what, if any, pre-requisite courses you must take. You may present your portfolio in any format: print, electronic (any form), or a link to a website.What kind of writing samples do you want to see?
We want to see examples of nonfiction writing that's aimed at a particular audience. It could be a paper from a college class, an article for a newsletter, a press release, or any other sort of professional writing you've done. It's best that it be as recent as possible. If you do not have a recent sample, an older one will do. The purpose of the writing sample is to show your level of writing skill. One or two should be sufficient.
What's the purpose of the statement of interest?
Your statement of interest explains to the program director why you are interested in enrolling in PubDesign program. It might detail your experience and talk about ways that the program will help you advance in your career or maybe make a career change. It might explain what you feel you can contribute to the program. Remember, your statement of interest is another example of your writing; be sure that it reflects your skill and abilities.
I don't have any Graphic Design experience. What should I do?
The PubDesign program integrates professional writing and graphic design; we ask that entering candidates have a background in at least one of those areas. If you have some background in writing but do not have a background in graphic design, we have courses that can provide you the necessary background.
Will we have to use specific software in PubDesign courses?
The School of Communications Design's graphics lab is Mac-based; before you begin taking classes, you should know your way around the Mac operating system. We also expect you to be able to use the programs in Adobe Design Suite—InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator—as well as Dreamweaver. If you haven't used them before, you can take our non-credit workshops to help get you up to speed, you may learn them through a community college or adult education program, or you can learn them on your own. You do not need to own this software, as we have a fully-equipped graphics lab where you may work on your PubDesign projects during your time at UB.
What computer should I buy?
The School of Communications Design's graphics lab is equipped with Apple Macintosh computers; many graphic designers prefer to work on Macs. However, the PubDesign program has no requirements about hardware; you are free to have the computer you prefer. Cross-platform (Mac to PC or vice versa) transferring of projects can present some problems. Lab assistants can provide help, but ultimately, it will be your responsibility to manage such difficulties.
Do you have assistantships?
We have a limited number of graduate assistantships. Most are in the School of Communications Design's Graphics and Media labs. If you are proficient in Adobe Creative Suite 3, you can apply for these assistantships. Students who come from out of town find jobs in the Baltimore/Washington area in varied fields. If you have graphic design or writing experience you can probably find a job in your field.
Can I transfer in credits into the publications design program?
We can accept up to 12 transfer credits toward your electives. Any courses transferred in must be graduate courses taken for credit, relevant to the Pub Design program, and you must have obtained a grade of B or better in the course; acceptance of transfer credits is at the discretion of the program director. You may not use transfer credits as substitutions for required courses. To take advantage of this possibility you must provide the program director transcripts showing your grades and catalog course descriptions and/or syllabi for all courses you’d like to transfer. Once you are admitted to the PubDesign program, other than special exceptions, we expect that you will do all your graduate work at UB.
When can I register?
You may register for courses as soon as you've been admitted. Summer and Fall registration usually begins in April; Spring registration, in November. You can download academic calendars that include registration dates at http://www.ubalt.edu/template.cfm?page=908.
View the PBDS Handbook and the PubDesign Resources page.
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