La Sierra University unveils new MFA, redesigns bachelor’s program

 

RIVERSIDE, Calif. –La Sierra University’s Film and Television Department recently launched an innovative master’s degree and redesigned its bachelor’s program to prioritize learning by doing.

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The department at the beginning of the school year began offering the Master of Fine Arts in Modern Media Production which utilizes an independent production company framework and a comprehensive curriculum that includes traditional film and video production, storytelling, podcasting, virtual production, and other emerging media technologies.

The program’s innovation lies in its combination of traditional educational practices with latest industry trends and technologies. Students, under the guidance of faculty experienced in film, television, digital media, and related fields, gain practical instruction and experience using industry-relevant facilities and equipment to work on real-world projects.

“We believe very strongly in a learn-by-doing experience combined with using various industry professionals as student mentors.” -- Rodney Vance, Film and Television Department Chair

The Film and Television Department’s Bachelor of Fine Arts degree has been re-designed to also reflect an education that is rooted in practical, technologically-advanced experience.

“The learning approach looks very new in an academic institutional setting, however it’s actually based on a very old apprenticeship model,” said Rodney Vance, department chair. “We believe very strongly in a learn-by-doing learning experience combined with using various industry professionals as student mentors.”

Philosophically the department has structured the learning environment with two basic assumptions, he noted. The first assumption is that one key purpose of a university education is to teach students how to think and learn by a broad exposer to new ideas. The second assumption is that a key purpose of an apprenticeship style of education is to teach the craft of a specific skill.

“It’s not just an apprenticeship, it’s not just an academic education,” said Vance. “By offering an apprenticeship style education within a higher education learning environment, we combined the best of both worlds.”

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