Originally Posted by Chad

Wow, this is huge news to me. I am quite disappointed to see that they are phasing out the Multimedia BA degree at McMaster. I'll have to confirm with the profs about it. HUGE MISTAKE for Mac! Digital and multimedia are growing like crazy, and I found the program to be very well done when I was at Mac.

I'm not 100% on the reasoning I just know when I inquired about CMST they told me the program is changing... I'm not sure WHY they are doing this either... And my friend in Multimedia was upset because they are not offering certain Multimedia courses anymore because the Multimedia degree will be a Mohawk Diploma - they told her she could take the courses she wants at Mohawk

I'm not sure how soon they will be changing the program though because I assume there are people who are still in the process of completing their degree. But if you look at the specifics on that website they are definitely changing EVERYTHING about those two programs

What?!! I was looking forward to taking the multimedia courses at McMaster. Will the diploma be less credible now that it's from Mohawk instead of McMaster? (If I only major in Multimedia, I'd only get a diploma from Mohawk right?)

I hope they're not changing it by next year. lol. I want my degree from McMaster, just a personal thing.

Originally Posted by Vessi

What?!! I was looking forward to taking the multimedia courses at McMaster. Will the diploma be less credible now that it's from Mohawk instead of McMaster?

I hope they're not changing it by next year. lol. I want my degree from McMaster, just a personal thing.

If I'm understanding correctly, you would get both a degree from McMaster and a diploma from Mohawk.

Originally Posted by starfish

If I'm understanding correctly, you would get both a degree from McMaster and a diploma from Mohawk.

Sorry should have clarified - Wasn't the degree from McMaster only for Communications though? So if I were to only major in MM, I would be switched to Mohawk?

Originally Posted by Vessi

Sorry should have clarified - Wasn't the degree from McMaster only for Communications though? So if I were to only major in MM, I would be switched to Mohawk?

Originally Posted by shes-a-diva*

http://bpc.mcmaster.ca/


"The BPC will be delivered by McMaster University in partnership with Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology, bringing the strengths of each institution into one cohesive four-year program, allowing students to graduate with both an Honours Bachelor of Professional Communication from McMaster and a Diploma in Digital Communication from Mohawk."


Bachelor of Professional Communication has different mandatory courses than the Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.

Also, McMaster issues the Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia but once they implement the new program your Multimedia degree comes from Mohawk

I would interpret the new program as meaning you can't only major in multimedia anymore, because that program won't exist and is being combined into the one "cohesive" program...but I could be wrong. You should see an advisor or a prof involved in the program.

Originally Posted by starfish

I would interpret the new program as meaning you can't only major in multimedia anymore, because that program won't exist and is being combined into the one "cohesive" program...but I could be wrong. You should see an advisor or a prof involved in the program.

That makes sense. I definitely need to do that now. *sigh* McMaster oh why are you changing things that are not broken...

I also noticed that the site says this:

A proposed new program to be offered in conjunction with Mohawk College, starting September 2014, subject to Ministry Approval

Would that mean that I wouldn't be affected since I would be admitted for Sept 2013? I'll ask an advisor this too but I want to know if anyone here knows.

It sounds like they don't plan on starting it until 2014, but schools can implement new programs while they're still in the process of getting ministry approval. It doesn't sound like that's what they're thinking of doing here, but it is possible.

Originally Posted by Vessi

That makes sense. I definitely need to do that now. *sigh* McMaster oh why are you changing things that are not broken...

I also noticed that the site says this:



Would that mean that I wouldn't be affected since I would be admitted for Sept 2013? I'll ask an advisor this too but I want to know if anyone here knows.

From what I know based on talking to a CMST professor and a friend in Multimedia, McMaster will NOT offer a B.A. in Multimedia BUT the program will be continued through Mohawk College combined with McMaster's new BPC program.

That's why I originally said you should contact the department directly because when I had asked about this I was told the new program was going to begin September 2013 but they have obviously had to change that to September 2014 for some reason.

In a nut shell, you can still Major in Communications and get your degree from McMaster but it will be known as "Bachelor of Professional Communication" vs. "Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies".

McMaster will no longer be issuing "Bachelor of Arts in Multimedia". You will take Multimedia courses via Mohawk Professors and get your "Diploma in Digital Communication" from Mohawk College, but that will count towards your 4 Years at McMaster.

HOWEVER, if you are admitted into the Communications/Multimedia program BEFORE they change the program - you will NOT be affected by how they have redesigned the program.

Originally Posted by Chad

Wow, this is huge news to me. I am quite disappointed to see that they are phasing out the Multimedia BA degree at McMaster. I'll have to confirm with the profs about it. HUGE MISTAKE for Mac! Digital and multimedia are growing like crazy, and I found the program to be very well done when I was at Mac.

Chad,

Thanks for alerting me to this misinformation. And great to hear from you!

The Department is not phasing out (note the spelling!) the Multimedia program. The BPC is a new program to be offered at McMaster to complement the Communication Studies program and the Multimedia program. The BPC has a more professional approach to communication and will offer some courses in video and design that are run by Mohawk. The BPC is a first-year entry program, unlike the other two programs, and it has yet to receive government approval, so the hope is to start offering that program in fall of 2014.

As for Multimedia, we have just undergone some redesigns to help improve student learning, including having more intensive second-year required courses to ensure all students have a strong foundation in design, video, audio, animation, and programming by the time they enter their third year. The content of the program hasn't changed significantly - we are just changing the way we deliver it in response to feedback (from students, faculty, and administrators) and our own (faculty members') observations. We also changed the entry requirements - students will only need to take MM 1A03 to enter Multimedia (they no longer have to take MM 1B03). However, the program is competitive, and getting good marks in 1A03 is key.

In the future, I recommend questions of this nature be directed to Robert Hamilton, the Chair of the Department of Communication Studies and Multimedia. He is the position to sort out fact from fiction, and he would be happy to explain any changes or developments that impact students.

Cheers!
Liss Platt
Multimedia faculty member

Thank you Liss for your detailed response, and thanks for joining MacInsiders to keep us in the know!

I am thrilled to hear that Multimedia is not being phased out in any way, and that the BPC Program is an addition to the growing Faculty.

That's great to know the Multimedia Program isn't being replaced!