FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9, 2005

CONTACT: Steve Dolan
(619) 594-5664
sdolan@mail.sdsu.edu

SAN DIEGO, Tuesday, August 9, 2005 - With timely dissemination of information being more important than ever for the United States military, 13 public affairs officers from throughout the country have enrolled in the San Diego State University Master's degree program in Communication with a specialization in Mass Communication and Media Studies.

The program, which began Aug. 1, includes 10 public affairs officers from the Navy, two from the Air Force and one from the Marines. The program is being offered through SDSU's College of Extended Studies and the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts School of Communication.

"We are always looking for ways to improve the delivery of the excellent academic programs offered at San Diego State University," said William E. Byxbee, Extended Studies dean. "This program reflects the continuing commitment of all colleges at SDSU to provide professional programs using a variety of delivery techniques to our extended community of learners."

Rear Admiral T.L. McCreary, the United States Navy's chief of information, recently visited SDSU and discussed expectations with the military personnel in the Master's program.

McCreary, a San Diego State graduate, played a leadership role in implementing the idea of having the media embedded with the military in Iraq. After completing a master's degree in Mass Communication, Public Relations at SDSU, he relocated to Washington, D.C., as the news director for "Navy News This Week," the Navy's half hour internal TV news show. His entire biography which details his military service can be found at http://www.chinfo.navy.mil/navpalib/people/flags/biographies/mccrearytl.html.

The Master's degree program at SDSU includes 30 graduate-level semester units and a comprehensive exam. The program also provides exposure to civilian public affairs/public relations practices, in preparation for the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) accrediting exam.

"San Diego State, particularly the College of Extended Studies, was able to work this out with its regular curriculum into an intensive 10-month Master's program," McCreary said. "All of the students come out of a work environment with at least three to five years of public relations experience. They are used to a high-energy, high-volume operation."

According to McCreary, this pilot program also considered four or five other universities before selecting SDSU.

"What's really nice is San Diego State worked hard to fit this program into our timeframe and mission," he said. "Plus, there is a large Navy community here."

David Waterman, a 16-year Navy veteran, is the officer in charge of the program. He worked in strategic public relations for NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) before starting the Master's program at SDSU.

Waterman said the program will give him a more solid foundation for his future public affairs work.

"I already had built the house without a foundation," he said. "This gives me the foundation to make my house stronger."

SDSU's College of Extended Studies offers a wide variety of lifelong learning classes, seminars, and certificate programs. Career advancement courses are offered in many areas of management, leadership, and quality improvement while self-enrichment courses range from astronomy to web design. Additionally, the College offers over 30 certificate programs, online courses, and many other learning opportunities. To register or for more information, call (619) 265-SDSU (7378) or log on to www.NeverStopLearning.net.