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Home » Professional Development Center » Specs at LTU
Specs@LTU is dedicated to inspiring, educating, and equipping future leaders in media arts with the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving industry. Whether pursuing a certificate or a degree, online or on campus, students gain hands-on experience with the latest technology in media communications.
Through access to industry-standard equipment, project-based coursework, and LTU’s unique blend of theory and practical application, students develop the technical expertise and creative vision needed for careers in radio, television, digital media, graphic design and beyond. From broadcasting and video production to digital content creation and marketing, Specs@LTU provides the flexibility and real-world training to help students thrive in today’s media landscape.
Only U.S. citizens are eligible to enroll in Specs@LTU programs.
Tuition is $16,900 total for the LTU Professional Development Certificates. Upon Admission, students will receive a $10,000 scholarship toward a certificate in the areas of:
Scholarship Opportunities for other LTU degree seeking programs:
STEM Scholarship — $19,650 annually (application required for eligible majors)
Merit scholarships reviewed upon admission for degree seeking programs
Specs@LTU is a one-year certificate program that is part of LTU’s Professional Development Center. Students can choose from the following three programs: Broadcast Media Arts, Digital Media Arts, and Graphic Media Arts.
All Specs@LTU classes take place on LTU’s campus in Southfield, Michigan. Classes meet two days a week, over the course of three continuous semesters.
Classes are held from 10:00a-2:30p, and have year-around start times. You can begin the program in the Spring Semester (January), the Summer Semester (May), or the Fall Semester (August).
Evening class offerings vary by semester and are held from 6:00p-10:30p. If you are interested in an evening class, specify that you are when you enroll. Evening classes are offered when class size requirements are met.
No, there are no text books required for any of the Specs@LTU programs.
Basic computer (Mac or PC) hardware and software knowledge is needed, including knowledge of Google Docs. For the BMA and DMA program headphones and a mouse are needed, while an SD card and thumb drive are recommended, but not required.
Yes, Specs@LTU students can rent an LTU laptop for a refundable deposit. Post-admission, students are given instructions for renting an LTU laptop on their student status page.
Yes. As a Specs@LTU you are a student of Lawrence Technological University, which means you can sign-up for meal plans, join a Fraternity or Sorority, and apply for on-campus housing. Specs@LTU students are considered full-time students if they are taking both required courses per semester, equating to 11 credits total per semester. If you are interested in living on campus, you will be able to reach out to Housing at housing@ltu.edu post-admission.
Yes. LTU’s Student Success Center is available to all students for tutoring needs. LTU also offers an online tutoring system called TutorMe, which is free to students. Class sizes are small, and you will have plenty of time to work with your instructor.
Yes! Students are encouraged to work with the Office of Career Services (ltuocs@ltu.edu) to explore internship and job opportunities. These services extend to current and previous Specs@LTU students. Students are also encouraged to register on Handshake, which is LTU’s dedicated job portal connecting students and employers. Students can explore job postings, stay informed about upcoming events, and network with peers. Employers can engage with LTU students and recruit top talent.
Fill out and submit an application above. Send us a copy of your official or unofficial high school transcript (to admissions@ltu.edu). We do not accept high school diplomas in lieu of your high school transcript. We do not require entrance exams, or test scores like the ACT or SAT but may ask you to perform a quick vocal test. Once we receive your application and transcript, we are quick to process applications. Students can expect to hear back regarding their admission decision typically within a week.
All next steps, after your admission decision has been released to you, will be on your student status page. You may login at ltu.edu/statuspage.
Specs@LTU students will always register with the University Advising Center throughout their Specs@LTU academic career. For first-time students, after admission and paying the $50 enrollment deposit, you will be prompted to register for your University Advising appointment on your student status page.
Upon admission, all admitted Specs@LTU students are awarded a $10,000 scholarship off of the total cost of tuition for the entire program ($16,900). This brings each student’s out-of-pocket responsibility for tuition to $6,900. There is no need to come with equipment, and with no added cost for books, there is no program like it nearby. We cannot accept any financial aid for any certificate program (non-degree seeking). We offer multiple flexible payment plans for students to pay tuition and recommend that students do not pay their tuition in one lump sum. For questions regarding tuition and payment plans please reach out to Student Accounting at ltupayments@ltu.edu.
Download payment plan options: Payment Information.
Broadcast Media Arts and Digital Media Arts graduates can transfer credit hours into the Associate of Arts in Media Arts and Production and/or Bachelor of Arts in Media Communication with a Focus in Film, Television, and Video Production.
Graphic Media Arts graduates can transfer credit hours into the Associate of Applied Science in Graphic Design and/or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design.
Students may choose to articulate from the certificate to the associates then to the bachelors or articulate directly from the certificate to the bachelors.
Students who have completed their Specs@LTU certificate program and wish to continue their education at LTU in a degree program must submit a transfer application. If a student had previously taken college-level courses at another institution, those official transcripts must be sent to admissions@ltu.edu prior to acceptance into the degree-seeking program.
Where can I get my old Specs Howard transcript/Specs@LTU transcript? You can talk to Avery Thomas at athomas@ltu.edu or 248.204.3118.
Who can I talk to about program specific questions, career goals, or specific information about the classes I will be taking? You can talk to Kris Harris at kharris5@ltu.edu or 248.204.3140.
Where can I get a co-op/internship/job? You can talk to the Office of Career Services at ltuocs@ltu.edu or 248.204.3140.
Who can I talk to about tuition or payment plans? You can email ltupayments@ltu.edu.
Who can I talk to about the admissions process or transferring credits to a degree program at LTU? You can reach out to Morgan Hess at mhess@ltu.edu or 248.204.3109.
Specs Howard School of Media Arts was a private for-profit career college in Southfield, Michigan. It was named after its founder Specs Howard and focuses on programs in radio and television broadcasting, graphic design, and digital media arts. In 2021, Specs Howard School of Media Arts relocated to the Lawrence Technological University campus and merged into Specs@LTU.
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