Desktop Publishing

Tech Center, Room 358
(605) 626-2601

Humanities Office
Tech Center, Room 261
(605) 626-2404

Dr. Lysbeth Benkert-Rasmussen; Dr. Andrzej Duszenko; Dr. Elizabeth Haller; Dr. Pen Pearson; Dr. Peter Ramey; Dr. Patrick Whiteley

State and national labor analysts project that one of the fastest growing occupations in this region of the country over the next several years will be Desktop Publishing. Northern’s “Desktop Publishing” degree is unique in this part of the country but is forwardlooking and flexible, responding to the changing needs in journalism and corporate communications that have been brought about by the rapid changes in information technology in recent years.

Specific skills targeted in this degree include computer page layout and design, graphic design capability, as well as writing and editing skills. It gives students training not only in desktop publishing programs but also in writing and editing and graphic design that are necessary for someone needing to create corporate communications, and the training enables students to both edit and design not only for print media but for the web.

Students graduating from this program will demonstrate six specific competencies as follows:

Students will demonstrate proficiency and facility with computer technology.
Students will be able to conceive, research, and compose articles or stories in good journalistic style.
Students will be able to edit for style and usage.
Students will be able to compose and design web pages that are both attractive and logical.
Students will be familiar with desktop publishing software and be able to create attractive and readable pages of text.
Students will know the basics of aesthetic graphic design and be able to create welldesigned pages for print.

Career Directions

Copy editor/designer at a newspaper
Editor and publisher of business communications like newsletters, reports, and websites
Designer or editor at a printing establishment