For Immediate Release

Press Contact:
Sylvia Williams
Fielding Graduate University
805.687.1099
swilliams@fielding.edu

For Enrollment Contact:
Kim Larsen, 800.340.1099
Alexis Markowitz, UCLA Extension, 310.825.7093

Santa Barbara, CA (December 17, 2007) - In recognition of the ability of media to affect human behavior, UCLA Extension and Santa Barbara-based Fielding Graduate University are jointly launching a new educational program in Media Psychology and Social Change. The program, which is available online to students from around the world, officially launches in January.

To complete the program students will take four courses through UCLA Extension and six courses through Fielding Graduate University, leading to a master’s degree to be awarded by Fielding. The courses focus on the critical social, educational, entertainment, health, and environmental issues impacting the world in the 21st century. Furthermore, participants will develop skills and learn processes for applying media to impact behavior and achieve solutions for significant global concerns.

“We are proud to be working with UCLA Extension to offer this unique new program,” said Dr. Erik Gregory, director of Fielding University’s master’s degree program. “Our goal is to create a new generation of media specialists who use their skills for the betterment of society.”

The master’s degree program is comprised of four five-week courses at UCLA and six twelve-week courses at Fielding, all of which are offered online to anyone around the world.

“In addition to the pioneering nature of our collaboration with Fielding Graduate University and the uniqueness of the subject matter to be addressed in the program’s courses, the fact that this program is being offered entirely online is truly remarkable,” said Eve Haberfield, PhD, director, Humanities, Sciences, Social Sciences, and Health Sciences at UCLA Extension. “This means that people from around the world can study in this program and then apply the lessons they’ve learned in their own local settings.”

The Media Psychology and Social Change program engages students in a process that provides evidence of progress each step of the way. When they have finished the first series of four online courses through UCLA Extension, students will earn a certificate of completion from that institution. Qualified students then continue through the master’s degree program at Fielding Graduate University. Master’s degree awardees may then apply to work toward a doctorate in Media Psychology and Social Change through Fielding Graduate University.

“We have designed a unique partnership pathway leading from the master's degree through the doctorate that is exceptionally efficient and effective,” said Dr. Bernard Luskin, director of the Media Psychology PhD program at Fielding Graduate University. “Most units earned for the master’s degree will apply to either the PhD and EdD options available to the students.”

“If you are a mid-career, working professional in the entertainment industry, advertising, communication field, marketing, education, health care, commerce or public policy, this program is for you,” said Gregory.

For more information on the joint program in Media Psychology and Social Change offered by UCLA Extension and Fielding Graduate University, visit uclaextension.edu and Fielding.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 from Los Angeles and around the world since 1917. Each year UCLA Extension offers more than 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 around Los Angeles. A pioneer in distance learning, UCLA Extension also offers online courses from each of its academic departments. Learn more at uclaextension.edu.