The Bachelor of Science in commercial photography and Bachelor of Science in technology management, optioned under computer and multimedia graphics, degree programs in Southeast Missouri State University's Department of Polytechnic Studies are being combined to create a Bachelor of Science in commercial multimedia.

Under this title, students pick an option in commercial photography or computer multimedia graphics.

Bradley Phillips, assistant professor in the department, proposed the idea for bringing the two majors together in a faculty meeting, but he said facilitating the merge was done among himself, chairman Dr. Bradley Deken and professor Jeremy Griffin.

According to Phillips, the change doesn't have as much of an effect on photography majors as it does those in graphics. Graphics students were having to take extra measures within the technology management track that they wouldn't need in their careers, like OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) certification or courses in manufacturing.

"They didn't see the relevance to their industry and their field," Phillips said.

Taking graphics out of technology management and combining it with commercial photography became the solution to move the program forward.

"They needed a change," Phillips said. "They needed an updated curriculum to match the needs of someone who is doing or searching for graphic design positions."

The absence of the technology management core allowed room for new, applicable courses as well as added faculty.

"And provide a curriculum that will far better serve the students in the long run," Phillips said.

He added that two more faculty members are planned to be hired by next fall to teach classes that will fill the void of technology management.

There's a strong existing connection between photography and graphics, too. The majors already have shared courses.

"It is very common for anyone in the graphics or photographic field to need to know more than just their own specific medium," Phillips said.

He noted a graphics major doesn't have to be an outstanding photographer and a photographer doesn't have to be the best designer, but they each need to understand the use of the other in their emphasized field.

"If a graphic designer does not understand how a photograph will print from Illustrator or Photoshop based on a design that they're working on, they're at a disadvantage," Phillips said.

This same idea applies to photographers. For instance, a professional taking a photo for an advertisement, aside from traditional photographic techniques, must also know color management rules and design aesthetics. Phillips said grasping concepts from both areas is what makes students valued by prospective employers.

He highlighted the major also still fit well in the department. The case of an entire departmental change would have to have been issued higher in the system from administration like the provost or president.

Phillips said as a part of polytechnic studies, he has the administrative support to teach what he needs to teach and the funding support by being a technology-based department as well.

"[It] has allowed us to get computer labs, printers, photographic studios, new equipment when it needs to be updated," Phillips said. "We get to stay current with technology as it's released."

Even so, the process was a lengthy one. The merge had to be approved across the department, college, university and state levels. Phillips said although it was presented last fall, the official consent wasn't until late spring, and the actual changes may not be implemented until next fall.

He highlighted the addition of a color management class.

"One in which you learn to properly handle color space in regard to images, calibrating monitors, calibrating printers, creating print profiles, understanding device gamut, color mapping, essentially being proficient in the color workflow behind image making," Phillips said.

There has been some discussion concerning accreditation, but for Phillips, whether a program is accredited or not isn't an overall "deal breaker." Right now, he's focused on polishing a curriculum. However, the possibility remains open for the future.

Current students have the choice to keep their current degree plan or switch over to the commercial multimedia major because the current changes are merely to the title. All incoming freshmen are set to be on the new track in fall 2016.