what about now that there are a few PhD programs that are art/
technology fusions like ITP? does that suddenly up the ante for every
digital media masters program because masters is no longer terminal/
highest?
On Jan 12, 2009, at 5:12 PM, Sandra Villarreal wrote:
> Rob is kind of right too, but the answer may not be as simple.
>
> From the New York State Education Department’s Office of College and
> University Evaluation, Chapter I of Title 8 of the Official
> Compilation of Codes, sections 3.47 and 3.50.
>
> Highlights: 3.47, Sec. D, SubSec 2 lists the MPS and MFA BOTH under
> “professional degrees” which it indicates are designed as
> “primarily terminal in nature”. This is key language. It means the
> state recognizes that the degrees may be terminal. They may not. The
> state does not involve itself in this distinction, which is
> determined at local levels (schools and professional/academic/
> accreditation associations).
>
> 3.50, Sec. A “General Degrees in course” lists the AA/AS, BA/BS, MA/
> MS, M. Phil. and Ph. D. as well as the Professional Degrees (BPS, B
> Tech., MPS, DPS, and DA). Sec. B. “Specialized Degrees in course”
> lists the multitudes of very specific degrees, including the MFA.
>
> According to the State of New York, this subsection defines what
> would be the only difference between the two.
>
> The point that CUNY is recognizing one as terminal rather than the
> other, in this case, is not simply a matter of bureaucratic
> bookkeeping; rather, someone made this decision. Perhaps the
> reasoning may be inferred somewhere in this distinction. That is,
> however, supposition. Since there is no federally recognized base
> standard on the question of terminal degrees, states, and
> associations, and schools, are left on their own to decide. The
> state standard in this case, clearly, does not help.
>
> http://www.highered.nysed.gov/ocue/chapter_i_of_title_8_of_the_offi.htm#Section%203.50.%20Registered%20Degrees
>
> The ITP website describes the program as “the first graduate program
> in alternative media”. It also reads: “The curriculum is devoted to
> teaching the practice and theory that emerge from the convergence of
> new media technologies.” M.F.A. programs in New Media, Interactive
> Media and Design and Technology already exist. Their curricula
> includes theory and practice and a minimum of a two-semester thesis
> paper and project. They are not intensive programs.
>
> Despite the fact that ITP is not an art, design or engineering
> program, graduates from the program often look for jobs in the field
> of art and design and hold positions as creative directors, art
> directors, designers, interactive designers, producers researchers
> and visiting instructors or adjunct professors in art or design
> schools. In these fields the M.F.A. (specialized degree) is consider
> the terminal degree.
>
> S.
>
> On Jan 11, 2009, at 6:10 PM, Rob Faludi [list] wrote:
>
>> Sandra is kind of right, yet ITP is not an art school or a design
>> school or an engineering school. For better or worse it has a deal
>> all its own, hence the MPS, which is indeed considered terminal.
>> The State of New York accredits it as such, but for some reason
>> CUNY, which is run by the State of New York does not have the
>> bureaucratic machinery to recognize it so they need to apply for
>> exceptions.
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_degree
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Master_of_Professional_Studies
>>
>> I’m sure someone can come up with a more authoritative reference
>> source than Wikipedia. Maybe someone with an MLS?
>>
>> –Rob
>>
>>
>> On Jan 11, 2009, at 5:19 PM, Sandra Villarreal wrote:
>>
>>> The department will have to make the case for the candidate in
>>> question because an MPS is not considered a terminal degree, as
>>> Rob points out (at CUNY, in NY and in the US).
>>>
>>> A terminal degree is the highest degree earnable in a given field
>>> of study. Usually is a PhD. The only exceptions exist in the
>>> fields of applied arts such as creative writing, graphic design,
>>> fine arts, video art and interactive design, where an MFA is the
>>> terminal degree.
>>>
>>> For example, an MFA right now is the terminal degree for game
>>> design and game art because there is no PhD in game design. A PhD
>>> is the terminal degree for game development (programming as
>>> opposed to design). MPS is not a terminal degree in the fields of
>>> art, design, media, journalism and education because there are
>>> MFA, Ed.D and PhD in these fields.
>>>
>>> Terminal Master programs are often designated by specific
>>> descriptive titles such as Master of Education (M.Ed), Master of
>>> Fine Arts (M.F.A) or Master of Architecture (M.Arch). Typically a
>>> terminal Master takes more time than a non-terminal Master to
>>> complete (1-2 vs. 2-3 years) Some academic art institutions even
>>> use the MA (Master of Art) degree (30 credits) as a prerequisite
>>> for final acceptance into MFA candidacy. An MFA also requires the
>>> completion of certain amount of credits in art history and
>>> philosophy.
>>>
>>> MFA is usually a requirement to teach art and design at the rank
>>> of assistant professor. I don’t know about other fields.
>>>
>>>
>>> On Jan 11, 2009, at 12:10 PM, Rob Faludi [list] wrote:
>>>
>>>> CUNY officially categorizes the MPS as a non-terminal degree, so
>>>> it has to go through an exceptions process. This is their own
>>>> pain, not yours.
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> On Jan 8, 2009, at 7:29 PM, Caleb wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> Midori. Hope you and family are well. This caught my eye from
>>>>> the below email “If we can make a strong case for a
>>>>> candidate, they are willing to consider the MPS as a terminal
>>>>> degree”
>>>>> since I’m looking for academic teaching jobs. I thought an MPS
>>>>> WAS terminal? Especially in NYC? and on par with an MFA??? Any
>>>>> new thoughts about this as one who has to defend an MPS as
>>>>> terminal out of state???
>>>>>
>>>>> I am going for teaching in Art, Communications, Media,
>>>>> Journalism, and Education depts. mostly.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Jan 6, 2009, at 11:02 AM, Midori Yasuda wrote:
>>>>>>>> The New York City College of Technology, Department of
>>>>>>>> Entertainment
>>>>>>>> Technology, invites applications for a tenure-track, full time
>>>>>>>> position in Interactive Entertainment at the rank of Assistant
>>>>>>>> Professor, beginning in September 2009. Even though there
>>>>>>>> are some
>>>>>>>> hurdles to overcome within CUNY (regarding the terminal
>>>>>>>> degree),
>>>>>>>> please do share the attached announcement with alumni,
>>>>>>>> colleagues, and
>>>>>>>> friends who may be interested. If we can make a strong case
>>>>>>>> for a
>>>>>>>> candidate, they are willing to consider the MPS as a terminal
>>>>>>>> degree.
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Additional details, including application instructions, may
>>>>>>>> be found at:
>>>>>>>> http://portal.cuny.edu/cms/id/cuny/documents/jobposting/027788.htm
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Sincerely,
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Jenna Spevack
>>>>>>>> Chair, Interactive Entertainment Search Committee
>>>>>> New York City College of Technology
>>>>>> THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK
>>>>>>
>>>>>> DEPARTMENT OF ENTERTIANMENT TECHNOLOGY
>>>>>> SCHOOL OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN
>>>>>> 300 Jay Street V411
>>>>>> Brooklyn, NY 11201
>>>>>> www.entertainmenttechnology.org
>>>>>>
>>>>>> CAREER OPPORTUNITY
>>>>>> Title: Assistant Professor – Interactive Entertainment
>>>>>> Location/Department: Entertainment Technology
>>>>>> Compensation: Commensurate with education and experience.
>>>>>> Closing Date: Open until filled with review of resumes to begin
>>>>>> 11/24/08
>>>>>> Website: http://portal.cuny.edu/cms/id/cuny/documents/jobposting/027788.htm
>>>>>>
>>>>>> POSITION DESCRIPTION AND DUTIES
>>>>>> The New York City College of Technology, Department of
>>>>>> Entertainment Technology,
>>>>>> invites applications for a tenure-track, full time position in
>>>>>> Interactive Entertainment at the
>>>>>> rank of assistant professor, beginning in September 2009.
>>>>>> The department offers undergraduate instruction in a variety of
>>>>>> disciplines, including
>>>>>> lighting, sound, show control, and video systems. New programs
>>>>>> in development include
>>>>>> emerging media technology, music technology, interactive
>>>>>> control, and video production.
>>>>>> The successful candidate will teach courses in several areas
>>>>>> including, but not limited to
>>>>>> Interactive Media, Entertainment Control Systems, Electricity,
>>>>>> Tangible Computing, and
>>>>>> Introduction to Entertainment Technology. The Assistant
>>>>>> Professor will also be expected to
>>>>>> develop, plan, and prepare curricula related to a program track
>>>>>> in integrated and
>>>>>> interactive entertainment technologies.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
>>>>>> Qualifications for the rank of assistant professor include a
>>>>>> terminal degree in a field related
>>>>>> to interactive media systems, and significant experience in
>>>>>> both design and technical
>>>>>> implementations. Media related software engineering experience
>>>>>> and excellent
>>>>>> communications skills are essential. Candidates should provide
>>>>>> evidence of creative,
>>>>>> professional, and scholarly activity with adequate
>>>>>> documentation of productions,
>>>>>> publications, research, and curriculum materials.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> TO APPLY
>>>>>> Send cover letter of introduction and resume.
>>>>>> Email: isr@citytech.cuny.edu
>>>>>> Subject Line: Interactive Entertainment
>>>>>> Contact: Ms. M. Harris, Director, ISR
>>>>>>
>>>>>> The City University of New York
>>>>>> An Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Immigration
>>>>>> Reform and Control Act/
>>>>>> Americans with Disabilities Act Employer
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> —
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>>>>> ~ Caleb J. Clark
>>>>> ~ Portfolio: http://www.calebjohnclark.com
>>>>> ~ “The problem with communication is the assumption it has been
>>>>> accomplished.” – G. B. Shaw.
>>>>>
>>>>>
>
>
> —
—
