The first year of the program provides the general foundation for practice in the field, emphasizing basic science content, visual problem-solving, and imaging modalities for the communication of information. During the second year of the program, students may design a course of study according to their career goals through electives, clinical experiences, and project research activities. Project research may require additional semesters of study.

Electives are offered in three areas of concentration: computer visualization, illustration and design, and prosthetics/3-D model design. Elective courses are also offered in the other programs within the department and in other related departments.

• Computer Visualization: Students learn advanced web technologies including interactive programming as well as techniques in three-dimensional data display and animations. Working with health care professionals, students use numerous techniques in modeling, animation, and virtual reality for medical visualization, which typically involve anatomical structures from imaging systems and histologic data, biological processes, medical procedures, and information from databases.
• Illustration and Design: Students prepare to become medical illustrators by learning to convey health science information. They create digital imagery for print, video, multimedia, and the web. Areas of specialization include surgical, advertising, pharmaceutical, editorial, and medical-legal illustration. Advanced training in graphic design is available for students pursuing careers with a design emphasis such as art direction or electronic design.
• Prosthetics/3-D Model Design: Students concentrating in prosthetics (also called anaplastology) contribute to patient care by learning how to fabricate facial, hand and finger prostheses, oculars, and surgical implants within a clinical setting. Students preparing for a career in three-dimensional fabrication explore materials and procedures that include design of patient simulators, anatomical models, and forensic reconstruction of skulls.