University of Florida's Master's Degree in Web Design and Online Communication from the College of Journalism and Communication

1. Master Web Design and
Online Communication

2. A Bright Future for Web Designers
Communications 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

3. 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• With our special Master Access feature, ensure that your degree never goes out of date.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.

4. 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.

5. Course Sequence
You 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 Design
Learn layout and design principles for web and print using
Adobe InDesign.
Web Design Principles
Master the foundations of web design using wireframes, site
mockups, and HTML and CSS web languages.
Semester 2
Digital Imagery in Web Design
Create effective visual ‘language’ and integrated media
campaigns with Adobe Photoshop.
Corporate and Brand Identity on the Web
Apply the principles of logo and identity design using Adobe
Illustrator.
Semester 3
Advanced Web Topics 1
Utilize HTML5, CSS3 and JavaScript to develop websites.
Web Interactivity and Engagement
Understand content management systems and learn
templating, PHP and best practices.
Semester 4
Advanced Web Topics 2
Learn responsive design, advanced JavaScript & jQuery, and
version control via Git/GitHub.
Professional Internship
Participate in an internship to develop skills and connect with
employers.
Research Methods in Digital Communications
Learn SEO, analytics, and web usability to effectively reach
audiences online.
Semester 5
Digital Communication Theory
Examine the theoretical foundations of new media
communication.
Strategic Communication: Ethics and Concepts
Explore strategic communication strategies and the impact of
ethical issues.
Semester 6
Professional Capstone Experience
Apply all you learned to create a strategic campaign for a
global organization or business.

6. 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.

7. “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 James
Chief 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 Allen
Business 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 Law
Online Communications Specialist
Memorial Health System
What Do Our Alumni Have to Say?

8. 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
colleges
at “The Best
Schools.”

9. About the University of Florida
Founded 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 &
Communications
Considered 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.

10. 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.

11. A Simple Application Process
Meet 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.

12. 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