Desktop Publishing Programs

The field of Desktop Publishing is associated to the creation of various documents with the help of software for page layout. This software can be used on a desktop computer or any personal computer and laptop. It is commonly known by the initials “DTP”. This term can be used for various levels of publishing, including the documents of small circulation like newsletters to bigger ones such as books, newspapers and magazines.

Having said this, the term desktop publishing stresses primarily on a much professional look of the end result. It has served to be a revolution in the field of press printing and publications and has allowed smaller organizations to be able to come up with professional looking prints since its production in the 1980s.
 
Desktop Publishing Degrees
The Desktop Publishing degrees are designed to make the students professionals of the field of publishing digitally. Since this is more of a trade degree program and stresses primarily on vocational subjects, the Desktop Publishing programs are available in the form of certificates and diplomas. These courses can be done within a few weeks to maximum of six months. Some of the most covered applications include:

• Aldus Personal Press
• Adobe FrameMaker
• Adobe PageMaker
• Adobe InDesign
• Adobe HomePublisher
• Corel Ventura
• CorelDRAW
• iStudio Publisher
• Microsoft Office Publisher
• PTC Arbortext
• QuarkXPress
• Serif PagePlus
• Scribus

It should be noted here that all of the work is based on personal computers, desktops and laptops, and all of the schools offer computer laboratory facilities in the Desktop Publishing degrees program.
 
Online Desktop Publishing Programs
Many of the students who study the Desktop Publishing programs find it extremely unimportant to be part of the traditional classroom, since everything is done on computers. They can now save ample time as well as money with the help of the state of the art online Desktop Publishing programs. These are also known as the distance learning variants and offer the students with a much needed convenience to be able to study from the comfort of their homes. It is a perfect option for students who are employed or are parents. 

How Long Does It Take to Complete a Desktop Publishing Program?

Desktop publishing, often referred to as “DTP,” usually involves the creation of various documents using software for a page layout which can be used on any desktop, laptop or personal computer. There are many institutions across the US such as, Rochester Institute of Technology, California Baptist University, Touro College, Idaho State University and Ferris State University that are offering bachelor's degrees, associate's degrees, certifications and even online courses on DTP. The duration of these courses varies however; a bachelor's degree takes 4 years, an associate's degree 1.5 to 2 years, certifications may take 3 to 12 months and online courses are often self paced.

What Are the Requirements to Complete a Desktop Publishing Program?

The bachelor's degree in DTP offered by colleges and universities are typically offered on campus and require students to complete a certain number of credit hours with a few projects and exams to graduate. The associate's degree is often offered at community or technical colleges and requires coursework, projects and exams for graduation whereas; the certifications usually require students to clear certain exams and tests to graduate.

How Much Can I Make after Completing a Desktop Publishing Program?

Upon completion of these degrees/courses/certifications, people commonly become Administrative Services Managers and Graphic Designers. As per 2018 data from the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the average per year median income of Administrative Services Managers was $96,180 while the salary of a Graphic Designer was $50,370 per year.