Ferris State University’s Board of Trustees has approved the reengineering of the BS in Printing Management, including its transfer from the College of Engineering Technology to the College of Business. The revised Bachelor Degree will be in Graphic Media Management.

“I am extremely excited about these changes and this move,” says Program Coordinator and Professor Patrick Klarecki. “We have been working with our advisory board for about four years to nail down where our industry is headed. While no one’s crystal ball is that clear, I am confident we have a program that will better prepare graduates to meet the needs of the future. Our advisory board and faculty have done an outstanding job.”

The program will sustain the proud Ferris tradition of providing a solid hands-on foundation of print production fundamentals. Students will continue to receive applied instruction on the entire process learning image and file creation, offset and digital press operation, finishing and distribution, and workflow automation and color management. A strong command of these processes is what employers of Ferris grads have grown to expect of their new employees and will continue to receive.

To better meet the needs of the future of print media industry, the Graphic Media Management program requirements include an increased business focus in the areas of metrics for decision making, statistics, marketing and management. In addition, students graduating with a Bachelor in Graphic Media Management will have the opportunity to target specific areas of interest through 12 credits of directed electives. If combined with 6 additional credits, these electives can lead to a minor in areas such as Information Technology, Marketing, Advertising/Integrated Marketing Communications, Business Analytics, Management and many others.

“I am proud to see our faculty come together across campus, from two colleges, to collaborate with a strong, vibrant, and evolving industry to reinvent a program that will meet that industry’s needs for years to come,” stated Provost Fritz Erickson. “It is this type of faculty led action that makes Ferris State University a national leader in serving our various constituencies.”

The core technical focus of the degree is on the process of delivering an image, which includes not only putting ink on paper, but also a variety of considerations influencing the process, such as G7, ISO standards, government and client regulations of sustainable practices, postal regulations, and the effective planning for all variables affecting the production process. Additionally, the degree focuses on the workflow core, including proper file creation, automation options for cross media promotion, variable data printing, web to print and distribution, interactive media, and the management of color to tie all of the different media images together.

“The Graphic Media Management program is the perfect fit for our diverse offerings,” states College of Business Dean David Nicol. “Many of our programs are regionally, and even nationally distinctive, such as our programs in Professional Golf Management, Music Industry Management, and Information Security and Intelligence, to name a few. All of these programs marry a solid business foundation with in-depth knowledge, experience, and skills related to specific industries. The new Graphic Media Management program, with its industry focus and applied hands-on approach fits right into our college.”

The changes and move will be effective with the start of Fall 2012 semester. Individuals wanting more information about the BS Graphic Media Management program should contact Professor Klarecki at klareckp-ferris.edu or visit the program web site at graphicarts.ferris.edu.