Graphic Communications (MS) www.grad.clemson.edu/programs/graphcomm THE GRADUATE SCHOOL CLEMSON UNIVERSITY Change the world from here.
Introduction The Master of Science in Graphic Communications (GC) degree program at Clemson is designed to prepare students for technical, creative, or professional careers in GC, the third largest manufacturing industry in the United States. The MS in GC program serves the needs of graphic communications, graphic arts, printing management or graphic design graduates from other institutions, as well as, undergraduates with degrees in engineering, manufacturing, computer sciences, communications, technology and various business fields who want to move into graphic communications fields. Program of Study The Clemson MS in GC is enhanced by Clemson s undergraduate program of over 300 students and works closely with Clemson s nationally recognized Department of Packaging Science. The program offers a flexible curriculum that allows the student to tailor the degree toward a specific area of interest. Students take six core courses and additional courses in a speciality area. The core courses are: Package and Specialty Printing Commercial Printing Current Developments and Trends in Graphic Communications Graduate Seminar Research Problems I Research Problems II Electives in speciality areas allow for the student to customize the degree to their area of interest. Possible areas of specialization include: Marketing Management Packaging Science
Requirements for the program include 33 semester hours of graduate courses for a nonthesis option or 30 hours with a thesis. Within the total requirements, at least 17 hours will be in GC technical/managerial courses; seven will be research-related; six credits must be from outside the GC department; and at least one-half will be at or above the 800 level. Based upon the applicant s undergraduate degree and work experience, prerequisite courses may be required in specific areas. Students without relevant work experience are encouraged to complete an internship. Facilities Industry support has helped to create a well-equipped 14,000 sq. ft. main laboratory facility. In addition to the main campus facility, two other facilities are open to student use. The first is the off-campus Printing and Converting Research facility. Housed in this location is the Bobst corrugated press where students can conduct research as well as print corrugated projects. The third facility is the Sonoco Institute for Packaging Design and Graphics; a one of a kind facility where collaboration between the disciplines of packaging science and graphics come together to provide students with an opportunity to understand and research both the structure of packaging as well as the graphics.
Financial Aid Financial aid is available to qualified full-time students in the form of assistantships. Aid packages include a monthly stipend and a substantial reduction in tuition. First-semester graduate assistants may perform duties such as developing publications, working with Industry Training as well as working with faculty on special projects. Secondsemester graduate assistants are assigned to work within the GC labs. Second year graduate students are given priority for assistantships. Student loans and outside scholarships awards are also available, and funding may be available on a competitive basis for students to travel to professional conferences. Student Groups Clubs/organizations associated with printing in which students are encouraged to be involved include a student chapter of the Technical Association of Graphic Arts (TAGA) which coordinates a research publication of student work done at Clemson in a yearly journal and presents it at the International TAGA Conference. There is also an honors chapter of the Gamma Epsilon Tau service organization. Clemson s GET, the Xi chapter, is the 14th chapter of its kind at college campuses around the country. These organizations allow students to learn more about the graphic communications industry and help students to build strong relationships with industry contacts. Graduates and Careers Individuals with the MS in GC are finding positions in a variety of printing, packaging, publishing, imaging and related industries in management, marketing, sales, customer service, creative, technical, scientific and academic positions. The graduate placement rate is consistently high.
Applying Program entrance is available fall, spring and first or second summer terms. In addition to the standard Application for Admission to the Clemson University Graduate School, the Department of Graphic Communications admissions committee requests a narrative of approximately two pages to include related and non-related work history, educational background, current position and an explanation of how Clemson s MS in GC degree relates to the applicant s professional goals. A separate résumé should accompany the narrative. Applicants may apply on the web at http://www.grad. clemson.edu/admissions.php.
Faculty Listing Samuel Ingram, Department Chair and Professor of Graphic Communications; Ed.D. Clemson University. Color reproduction and management, process control, printing processes, process innovation, professional and graduate studies. (E-mail: sting@clemson.edu) John Leininger, Professor of Graphic Communications; Ed.D. Clemson University. Digital printing, print management functions, mailing and fulfillment, variable data for print/web/mobile, offset lithography, print marketing service, typography, database management, web-to-print, ratio analysis, lean manufacturing, and certified Electronic Document Professional (EDP). (email: ljohn@clemson.edu; Web site: http://graphics.clemson.edu/vdp/) Nona Woolbright, Associate Professor and Graduate Coordinator of Graphic Communications; Ed.D., Clemson University. Flexography, packaging, print management, personnel issues and graduate studies. (email: nwoolbr@clemson.edu) Eric Weisenmiller, Associate Professor of Graphic Communications; PhD, Virginia Tech. Prepress, digital printing, print management functions, variable data for print, offset lithography. (email: emweise@clemson.edu) Liam O Hara, Assistant Professor of Graphic Communications; Ed.D., Clemson University. Color management, inks and substrates, printability, printed electronics. (email: lohara@clemson.edu) Nancy Leininger, Sr. Lecturer and Internship Coordinator of Graphic Communications; MInEd, Clemson University. Prepress, digital imaging, CAD, variable data and mailing, web, internships. (email: lnancy@clemson.edu)
Pat Rose, Sr. Lecturer of Graphic Communications; MInED, Clemson University. Prepress systems, screen printing, offset lithography, network and server management. (email: patricr@clemson.edu) Carol Jones, Sr. Lecturer of Graphic Communications; MHRD, Clemson University. Prepress, digital photography and imaging, variable data, flexography, packaging, CAD, print systems auditing. email: jensenc@clemson.edu) M. Hope Carroll, Lecturer of Graphic Communications; MA, Appalachian State University. Digital imaging, emedia, print production, Adobe Creative Suite. (email: hwayne@ clemson.edu) Kristen Osborne, Lecturer of Graphic Communications; MInED, Clemson University. Flexography, packaging, color management, digital photography, typographic design, sustainability (email: kristen@clemson.edu)
For More Information Dr. Nona Woolbright Masters of Science in Graphic Communications G-01 Tillman Hall Box 341353 Clemson University Clemson, SC 29634-1353 Telephone: 864-656-3447 Fax: 864-656-4808 E-mail: nwoolbr@clemson.edu To learn more about Clemson University and the Department of Graphic Communications check out: http://graphics.clemson.edu http://www.clemson.edu/cbbs http://www.clemson.edu