The Honours bachelor of design program, which provides a professional education in a humanistic context, is jointly run by the design departments of York University and Sheridan College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. Students in the bachelor of design Honours program enrol in courses at both institutions. The bachelor of design program offers a comprehensive, intensive and professional education in communication design and a curriculum that reflects the distinct theoretical, research and practicum focus and needs of the design profession and the standards of the Registered Graphic Designers of Ontario. Students in the program benefit from small studio/practicum classes, design studies classes and an internship program. The design practicum courses focus on three major areas of design: communications, information and interactive/multimedia design; the design courses provide an integrated approach to design history, research, design management and critical issues in design.