Innovative New Ph.D. Program in Media Studies at Fielding Graduate Institute.

Business Editors

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 23, 2002

Dr. Bernard Luskin has been appointed Director of the new Media Studies Ph.D Program in the School of Psychology. FGI President Judith Kuipers, in announcing the appointment, stated: "This new program is unique in that it places psychology at the forefront of media communication. The program represents a new and significant opportunity to use media in new and creative ways in healthcare, education, commerce, publishing, government, and entertainment."

"Our vision for this program is to provide a meaningful opportunity for professionals interested in creating and using media effectively. Media psychology has become a cutting-edge subject offering new career options. This is a program whose time is here," said School of Psychology Dean Ronald Giannetti.

"The Media Studies Program is perfect for working professionals," said Luskin. Explaining the scope of this new program, he stated, "Digital media are changing the ways we work and live. The study of media effects offers many research challenges and there is a great deal to discover. `Pscybermedia' blends psychology, artificial intelligence, media and technology. This is a unique global program for the 21st century. Fielding's headquarters is located in the world's major digital media corridor, between Santa Barbara and San Diego, centered in Hollywood, and the entertainment industry. I look forward to speaking with industry professionals having interest in this program," said Luskin.

"The opportunity is also global," noted Provost Anna DiStefano. "Fielding Graduate Institute's distributed learning model enables students to participate effectively from anywhere in the world. Fielding Graduate Institute is a premier graduate program recognized for pioneering proven learning methods for successful graduate study," she said.

A faculty member since 1996, Luskin initially developed Fielding's program option in media psychology within the clinical psychology program. Luskin's recent work has focused on developing and establishing the vision of media psychology across other venues. "Dr. Luskin also leads the Fielding initiative in Community College Leadership, and has introduced Media Studies into the Ed.D program in the School of Educational Leadership and Change," said School Dean Judy Witt.

Luskin is a seasoned media professional with experience as a producer of media programs, principal investigator for numerous research studies, and author of eight books. His research includes serving as Co-director of the American Psychological Association's Media Psychology Division's Task Force study of new career opportunities for psychologists in media and new technologies. A summary of this study is posted on the APA Division 46 website.

In education, Luskin has taught at USC, Claremont Graduate University, California State University, and UCLA. He is an active member of the Educational Policy Committee of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The European Commission, the Irish Government, and Inside MultiMedia Magazine have recognized Luskin with lifetime achievement awards in digital media. The UCLA Doctoral Alumni Association, where he was a Kellogg and University Fellow, has honored Luskin with its distinguished leadership award for his contributions to higher education. Luskin is also founding Chancellor of Jones International University, the first accredited, fully web-based university.

In corporate life, Luskin served as CEO of major media and telecommunications companies, including Philips Interactive Media, which was the pioneer interactive media company in the Hollywood community. Luskin is also responsible for having put the initial fifty major motion pictures on compact disc in MPEG format, and for supervising the development of the first CDs of "Sesame Street," Compton's Encyclopedia, and Treasures of the Smithsonian, among many other programs. He placed the first computer in a community college in America and launched the first compressed cable network. Luskin's just released new book is titled, "Casting the Net Over Global Learning: New Developments in Workforce Training and Online Psychologies."

With degrees and licenses in business, education and psychology, Bernard Luskin lives in Lake Sherwood, California, with his wife Toni. They have two adult sons.

The Fielding Graduate Institute (www.fielding.edu) is world renowned for its leadership in professional education for adults. Fielding is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and is a nonprofit institution offering a spectrum of programs within Schools of Psychology, Human & Organization Development, and Educational Leadership & Change. Fielding Graduate Institute is dedicated to lifelong learning, social justice, and innovation, change, and professional development, for the workplace and the community.