Although most programs in technical communication reside in English departments where the focus is on writing, rhetoric, and exposition, the graduate certificate program in interactive multimedia at Mercer University is being developed for the Technical Communication Department within the School of Engineering. As a result, many of the restrictions, myths, and rhetorical paradigms that may hinder other programs in English departments do not hinder the program's developers. The Master's Degree program in technical communication is composed of a series of modules of 3 courses each. The graduate courses emphasize practical computer-based and process activities for working professionals that closely simulate research and development work in industry. Multimedia consists of 3 layers: time-space constrained multimedia applications, time-constrained multimedia, and interactive multimedia. Within interactive multimedia, there are 3 types of content: structured pathways, exploratory, and gaming or simulation. The framework for the graduate certificate focuses on the analysis and design of "structured pathing" and "exploratory" applications. Benefits of the program to working professional students include: advanced, practical approach to multimedia and hypermedia application planning and design; linking academic and industry perspectives; real-life research and development projects related to corporate needs; and instructors with both academic and industry experience. (Contains 13 references.) (RS)