April 12, 2007, Los Angeles, CA…Fielding Graduate University's Media Psychology program and UCLA Extension's Department of Entertainment Studies and Performing Arts have announced their intent to launch a first-of-a-kind educational program in media psychology and social change.

"This partnership recognizes the convergence of media, technology, communication, education, and entertainment arts and sciences in transforming our world," said Dr. Bernard Luskin, executive vice president of Fielding and founder of Fielding's Media Psychology program.

"This unique program combines the Fielding Media Psychology professional faculty with UCLA Extension's Department of Entertainment Studies and Performing Arts' instructors, all successful practitioners in the entertainment community. The course of study provides a sharp focus on how new media is impacting human behavior. Our goal is to give participants -- educators, media professionals, and others -- the skill sets in media and behavioral studies to advance their careers and, through their work with media, make a positive contribution to the world," added Jane Kagon, director of the Department of Entertainment Studies and Performing Arts, UCLA Extension.

Open to those with a bachelor's degree or higher, the program provides a sequence of courses from UCLA Extension that satisfies prerequisites in a continuum leading to a Certificate (Award of Completion) from UCLA and a master's degree in Media Psychology and Social Change from Fielding Graduate University. In addition, special provisions are available to those wishing to pursue a doctorate in Media Psychology or in Media Studies. Offered online, the program includes carefully planned activities to allow each student to maintain his or her professional career while in the program. "We are dedicated to providing new and flexible opportunity for working professionals to develop their abilities in blending media and psychology in addressing solutions required for needed social change," said Dr. Judith Kuipers, president of Fielding Graduate University.
For more information, visit www.fielding.edu and www.uclaextension.edu.

About Fielding Graduate University
Founded in 1974 and headquartered in Santa Barbara, CA, Fielding Graduate University is a world-recognized leader in doctoral-level graduate education, having created one of the most successful graduate-level distributed learning models for mid-career adults. Fielding is an accredited, nonprofit graduate university and offers programs within three schools: Psychology, Human & Organization Development, and Educational Leadership & Change. The Fielding community enables students to participate effectively from anywhere in the world.

About UCLA Extension
One of the nation's largest and most comprehensive continuing higher education providers, UCLA Extension has served students in Southern California since 1917. Each year we offer 4,500 courses and programs, linking 65,000 adults of diverse backgrounds to enhanced career, academic, and personal growth opportunities through lifelong learning.

Designed to meet the needs of working adults, UCLA Extension courses are offered during the day, in the evening, and on weekends at convenient locations in Westwood, Downtown Los Angeles, Universal City, and dozens of other places throughout the Southland. A pioneer in distance learning, Extension also offers hundreds of courses online.

Contact:

Mary C. McGeachy (Fielding)
917-334-6813 mary@rodheim-marketing.com

Brian Bell (UCLA Extension)
310-206-8993 Bbell@unex.ucla.edu