In its 2017 Global Games Market Report, research firm Newzoo forecasted a $108.9 billion year for the gaming industry – with 42 percent of that coming from mobile gaming. By 2020, the firm predicts, mobile gaming will make up half of the gaming industry’s revenue. Translation: People are playing lots of games on their mobile devices, and the industry is growing.

Full Sail University’s Mobile Gaming master’s degree program helps programmers tap into this expanding industry. In the 12-month, online program, students go through the entire agile software engineering cycle to create, develop, produce, and test a mobile game from scratch.

“Students take an idea and go from design to development, with a focus on engineering, product release and monetization, and maintenance and support,” says Haifa Maamar, the Mobile Gaming program director. “This is more an engineering degree than it is a design one.”

Here are some of the traits and skills you need to bring to the table – or in this case, the online classroom – to succeed in the Mobile Gaming program:

Before enrolling in the Mobile Gaming program, it’s important to understand that this is a software engineering degree with a focus on mobile gaming, Maamar says. You’ve got to be the type of person who knows the difference between Java and JavaScript. And you’ll already need to have development and programming knowledge – fluency in at least one programming language (C++, Java) and game engine (Unity, Unreal), with a familiarity in others. Students must take a diagnostic skills test before enrolling.

Other pre-enrollment plusses: strong math skills, experience with database source control programs (Android Studio, XCode), and of course, a passion for gaming. Maamar notes that this program is ideal for students who may already be working as developers, but want to advance into a lead developer role, or move into management or technical problem-solving positions.

Be Ready For: Students can expect to spend at least 20 hours per week on their coursework, which includes classes in development, testing, usability engineering, and software engineering. Throughout the program, you’ll design and build a mobile game, which you’ll write technical specifications for and present to faculty as part of your capstone project.

“This degree is very applied,” Maamar says. “I did my master’s and PhD in a traditional university, and it had a lot of theoretical content. Students do get theory at Full Sail, but we’re really into programming. We help you go through the entire pipeline and development process.”

Some other traits great Mobile Gaming students have: They’re problem solvers, with a solid understanding of programming logic. Students should know how to communicate well and have great time management skills, which is important for this program. Full Sail’s accelerated track means you’re getting a master’s degree in one year instead of the typical two. It’s a huge benefit – you get a head start in the industry   – but it definitely requires commitment and organization.

Post-Graduation: Since the program launched in 2013, Mobile Gaming grads have pursued advanced positions in the gaming and programming industries, and have worked as indie developers. Grad Claude Wild, for example, created the indie game Gladiator: Rise of Legends.

More questions? Check out the Mobile Gaming degree page here or call an admissions representative at 800.226.7625.

On-the-job experience is one of the most valuable forms of education. That’s why Full Sail is excited to introduce a new program aimed at working professionals seeking online master’s degrees in Entertainment Business, Business Intelligence, or Internet Marketing. Starting now, new students have the option to test out of up to five courses in their chosen field of study.

“To better serve that population of students, we’re allowing students who have expertise in a particular class the opportunity to test out of the course, saving them both time and money when it comes to completing their degree,” says Dave Franko, Full Sail’s Vice President of Academic Affairs.

Here’s how it works:

• Students with at least five years experience in a related field are presented with a list of eligible courses. They’ll work with their program director and admissions representative to determine which tests best fit their work experience and expertise.
• Once a student determines which classes (up to five total) they’d like to test out of, they must submit a letter of intent, resumé, and their undergraduate transcripts.
• Each test is free to take, but may only be taken once and prior to the course start date.

• Students must demonstrate mastery of the course objectives by passing the test to be awarded credit for the course. This will reduce tuition cost by 3 or 3.5 credit hours, depending on the class.
•  Some courses are not eligible for credit by examination, such as Mastery and Capstone classes.

To find out more about this and other opportunities for online master’s students, contact your admissions representative at 800.226.7625 or visit us on the web.

Full Sail University student Tara Davis has been selected as a finalist for the South region of the Red Bull Doodle Art competition and will represent the United States in the global finals.

The Red Bull Doodle Art competition challenges individuals to put pen to paper and create their best original doodle to submit for consideration. A winner from each of the four regions within the United States is selected as finalists to earn a trip to a Virtual Reality art experience where the final winner is selected. Finalists of the competition are coached on how to take their 3D artistic skills to the next level, and have a chance to have their original artwork in a Global Virtual Gallery.

Not only was Tara the first Red Bull Doodle Art submission in the United States, but she is also now one of four individuals chosen out of 1,800 applicants to have her art displayed in the global gallery. Tara’s art will be created with the Google Tilt Brush, which she will learn how to use as part of her prize in Las Vegas, Nevada.

You can see Tara’s work, as well as the other finalists, on the Doodle Art website.

The decision to attend college is a pivotal moment in any student’s life. It’s a time of exploration and discovery, hopes and dreams. Your role as a teacher can be vital when it comes to questions about which major, what school, how to get a scholarship, and more.

Choosing a major.

You know better than anyone how important it is to have a lifelong passion for learning. Fortunately, there are dozens of options for your professional development, outside of what is provided by your school district. Why not use your seasonal breaks and summer vacation to grow your skills in ways that matter?

Vendor-Provided Education

Many vendors will provide educational programs designed to enhance your use of their products. For example, Apple Teacher offers a full suite of free interactive programs to help you become an expert in the use of iPads and Macs in your classroom. Additional training in specific apps is also available at Apple stores and in weekly online educator chats.

Not to be outdone, Microsoft also provides in-person and online training for educators. You can attend one or two-day courses, sign up for sessions at national teacher conferences, or learn online through the Microsoft Innovative Educator (MIE) Teacher Academy.

Self-Paced Study Options

In addition to online degree courses through local and national universities, you can also find offerings through portals such as CE Credits Online. Courses provide graduate credits, CEUs or professional development hours to meet your district’s requirements, as well as your greater goals for career growth and advancement.

Listings of paid courses are also available at Advancement Courses and through the PBS TeacherLine, which offers self-paced and educator-facilitated graduate-level courses.

Free Online Education

Nothing beats “free” when you’re on a teacher’s salary. That’s why you’ll want to take a look at edWeb for no-cost monthly webinars that provide CE certificates. Topics run the gamut, from building relationships with students (and parents) to online security and women in technology education. The websites Study.com and Teach Tomorrow also provide a listing of free online education providers and other teacher resources.

If that’s not enough to keep you busy, you can find additional information on education labs, toolkits, and state-based resources from the U.S. Department of Education.

According to Creativity at Work, design thinking is “methodology used by designers to solve complex problems, and find desirable solutions for clients … design thinking draws upon logic, imagination, intuition, and systemic reasoning, to explore possibilities of what could be …”

What design thinking is not, however, is the way that something looks. It goes much deeper than surface appearance, to instead focus on optimizing the inner workings. To create something new that works better – be it product or process.

Design Thinking for Teachers

The Harvard Graduate School of Education defines five steps to design thinking: (1) Discover, (2) Interpret, (3) Ideate, (4) Prototype, and (5) Test. The goal is to get students interested in research and data gathering, and engaged in experimentation to turn that information into actionable solutions.

Employing these steps as an educator can help to facilitate collaboration, creative thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving – both in and out of the classroom. Once you become comfortable with design thinking at the activity level, you can apply the same process to larger projects and entire courses.

Design Thinking for Students

According to the World Economic Forum, the skills for success are changing. The group’s report, The Future of Jobs, speaks to a new industrial revolution where concepts and opportunities are converging in the areas of artificial intelligence, robotics, nanotechnology, 3-D printing, advanced materials, genetics, and biotechnology.

By 2020, the top three most coveted skills in global business and industry will be (1) complex problem solving, (2) critical thinking, and (3) creativity. Introducing design thinking in high school (or sooner) can prepare students for opportunities to make a difference in the real world – as innovators and creators of solutions and prototypes for emerging interests and needs.

No one likes to go back to school (or work) after a fun holiday break with friends and family. Here are some tips to make it more motivating for you and your students.

Relax and reflect

Beginning college and entering into a new school can be both exciting and stressful for students and their parents. There can be general concerns about what to expect, along with specific fears about getting lost, not knowing anyone, having to make new friends, or worrying about academic performance.

Consider the following ways that you can help alleviate some of the anxiety and set your students up for success:

• Acknowledge that students will not have the same level of personal attention and daily teacher interaction once they enter college.
• Prepare students with enhanced self-study and testing skills. Some students will need to improve their note taking abilities, whereas others might require greater discipline in completing pre-test assignments.
• Create opportunities for your juniors and seniors to develop college-level competencies, including analytical reading, long-format writing, and critical thinking skills.
• Inspire students to conduct themselves as young adults in preparing for a stricter environment with little tolerance for adolescent behavior.
• Help your juniors and seniors understand what college professors expect when it comes to attendance, deadlines, and properly prepared assignments.
• Begin the final semester(s) with a syllabus to familiarize your students with how college courses are organized and conducted.
• Work with students to ensure they are studying for and planning to take the correct college admission tests for their goals.
• Educate students (and their families) about local resources for financial aid and scholarship help.
• Encourage participation in volunteer and part-time employment activities which show initiative and build practical skills.

Taken together, these suggestions can help juniors and seniors prepare for the new world of opportunity that is waiting after high school. Find article resources and additional reading here:

Forbes, How To Successfully Transition From High School To College

College Board, Help your students take the next step in their education

Teach.com, Making the Transition: How To Prepare High School Students for College (and Life)

Back to school time is almost like a holiday in its own right. Stores start advertising their gear in the middle of summer, reminding us that the lazy days and long nights will soon come to an end. It’s our cue to start preparing for the best school year ever with smart strategies for a successful classroom.

Teachers at all level can find expert tips and advice in this Back to School Guide from the National Education Association (NEA). Topics include:

Classroom Setup

Providing a safe and welcoming learning environment is job one for the new school year. Depending on your grade and subject expertise, you can arrange and decorate your space to engage and inspire your students. It doesn’t have to be expensive and neither do your supplies. Check out this information on no-cost resources for teachers.

Week One Strategies

From “getting to know you” icebreakers to proven lesson plans, many teachers already have a blueprint for how to launch into back-to-school classroom activities. However, if you’re looking for some new ideas, the NEA guide covers everything from seating arrangements to a desk drawer toolkit.

Classroom Management

Policies and procedures help your students know what to expect in your classroom. But that doesn’t prevent things from occasionally getting out of hand. The new school year is a good time to explore best-practices for how to handle difficult scenarios.

Working with Parents

A new school year also means getting to know new faces, both students and parents. The traditional parent-teacher conference is a must, but that’s just the beginning. Discover new ways to involve disengaged parents, as well as set parameters for overzealous parents who have trouble letting go.

Your best school year ever is in the making. Be sure to share your top tips, tricks, and techniques with your colleagues as well.

No one likes to go back to school (or work) after a fun holiday break with friends and family. Here are some tips to make it more motivating for you and your students.

Relax and reflect

Build in time to relax during your break from school. Whether that means making time for your hobbies, visiting with friends, or completing a project around the house. Also use the time to reflect on what you love about your work and your students, as well as on what you can do better when you return to the classroom.

Taking care of your needs first is one of the best ways to ensure that you will be rejuvenated and engaged when you get back to school.

Mix things up

Science has shown that certain types of activities and curiosities get attention, simply because of how our brains are wired. This article from The Guardian offers up some ideas for shaking up the status quo in your classroom.

The goal is to help break the expected patterns of getting back into the classroom. It can be as simple as playing music to fit the mood you wish to achieve. If you have more time available, you could consider rearranging the furniture or decorating the room to match any new curriculum that will be introduced now that break is over.

Read and share

If time allows, you can spend some of your break time reading education blogs and professional development materials. Share your favorite ideas with your fellow teachers, and let your students know how you plan to deploy new strategies.

Another way to get your students’ attention is to engage them in storytelling – about their favorite food, activity, or learning moment during their break from school. You can share your story first to get the discussion started.

Additional Reading

5 New Year’s Resolutions Just for Teachers

Teach for America, Six (Slightly Conflicting) Tips for Returning From Winter Break Strong

McGraw-Hill Education, 6 Strategies for Teachers to Recharge Over Winter Break

Once you start researching available grants, you will quickly find that there are a variety of options to help fund your goals as an educator. Explore these programs to see what opportunities are available for you:

General Grants

Teachers Count

A non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources to educators, with the goal of elevating the teaching profession.

Fund for Teachers

Since 2001, this group has invested $27.5 million in helping teachers excel as professionals and education leaders.

The NEA Foundation

Founded by educators to celebrate, support, and promote the value and voice of public school teachers.

GrantsAlert.com

A clearinghouse of grant opportunities that can be searched by name, type, location, and more.

Specialized Grants

Technology

Educators of America offers grants to help equip your classroom with the latest technologies – from whiteboards to STEM labs.

Computer Science

Where better to find a professional development grant to grow your career as a computer science educator than from Google itself.

Math & Science

The U.S. Department of Education extends this program in support of students and teachers with a focus on math and the scientific disciplines.

English as a Second Language

Also offered through the U.S. Department of Education, this grant is available on a state-by-state basis to help improve English language proficiency.

Travel

Grants listed on Travel Beyond Excuse can eliminate the financial worries of traveling abroad for once-in-a-lifetime professional development experiences.

How to Write a Grant

You can whip out a lesson plan in no time. Generate a pop quiz on the fly. Assemble a syllabus like no one else. But grant writing? Well, that’s just out of your wheelhouse. Not to worry as these resources can help you create a compelling application:

Kids Discover

This site gives a good rundown what a successful grant application must and should include.

Education World®

Designed for first-time grantees, this article can help teachers understand the requirements and commitments of pursuing a grant.

Pearson

Pearson – provider of education tools, content, products, and services – offers a free online tutorial on Grant Planning and Writing.

Good Luck!

You’ll hear this quite a bit before you enroll at Full Sail and while you’re in the thick of your degree program: “The secret to success is having great time-management skills.” Here’s why: With Full Sail’s accelerated degree programs, you’re getting your master’s degree in one year instead of two, and your bachelor’s degree in under three. That requires a fast pace and focus, and, like all degree programs, the ones at Full Sail require serious commitment. To keep up with your program’s demands, you’ve got to have a solid handle on things.

Many Full Sail students – especially those enrolled in online degree programs – pursue and complete their degrees while also working full-time jobs or taking care of their families. It’s a lot to balance, but it’s definitely possible. These two Full Sail grads had their hands full while enrolled in their respective programs, but they succeeded. We checked in with them to get their best time-management advice:

Jeremiah Gonda: “Never Compromise.”

Jeremiah Gonda knows the value of great time management: The 2014 Digital Cinematography grad completed his online bachelor’s degree program while working a full-time job and helping his wife, Laura, raise their five children. Today, he’s a high school film production teacher, the co-owner of film production company Storyboat Media LLC, and the proud father of seven children.

“I always kept my life in perspective by having an order of the most valuable and important parts of my life: My wife and children, my full-time job and employer, and excelling at my studies at Full Sail,” Jeremiah says. “As long as I kept the main thing my focus and scheduled out my time to ensure I gave my best to each, I was able to do it all.”

His advice for students: Give each of your commitments 100 percent. “Put the things first on your list that have the most meaning and value and work down from there,” he says. “Figure out where school fits in and treat it as serious as your other life-important commitments. Move on from that and schedule your time for each of those commitments using an app or calendar to send frequent reminders and notifications for appointments, assignment due dates, study time, and down time.”

Jeremiah adds: “Remind yourself that this is accelerated education, so it requires a temporary sprint to make it to the finish line. You have to keep a strenuous pace that would be impossible in the long term, but it’s totally acceptable and necessary in order to complete your short time of studies at Full Sail.”

Thaddeus Ray: “Set a schedule that works best for you and stick with it.”

Thaddeus Ray, 2013 Entertainment Business Master’s and 2014 Business Intelligence Master’s grad (he was valedictorian of his class), found that his biggest challenge while at Full Sail was juggling his coursework, two part-time jobs, and finding time for himself.

“You have to be very creative,” he says. “Set a schedule that works for you and stick to it. Some assignments are more demanding than others, so be sure to stay on top of them and gauge what you can get done in a certain amount of time.”

Thaddeus, who now works as a product data management coordinator for Warner Music Group, has this classic, but ever-so-important advice for students: Don’t procrastinate! “Get it out of the way when information is fresh and when you can ask great questions,” he says. “Full Sail makes it easy to achieve these things and that shouldn’t be overlooked. It will make your experience that much better.”

More questions? Check out our online degrees here or call an admissions representative at 800.226.7625.

“I got my undergraduate degree from a major university here in Florida, and when I graduated, I didn’t feel prepared to do anything other than write papers and take multiple-choice tests.”

These are the reflections of Emily Wray, a graduate of an online master’s degree program from Full Sail University.

In an intimate roundtable discussion, Emily explains why Full Sail was the best, most practical choice for her to continue her education. “It was the absolute perfect fit for where I was in my life, and for what I wanted to do in my career … and at that point in time I wasn’t living in the Central Florida area, so I needed an online program. And it delivered in every way.”

Adrian Beecher, an Army veteran and Public Relations Master’s grad, describes his master’s program experience as “that extra cherry on top” in his career. “I liked the flexibility of it,” he says, “and being able to utilize what I was learning and immediately put it into action while I was in the field.”

In addition to offering flexibility, Full Sail’s online master’s degree programs provide the opportunity for students to build lasting, meaningful relationships. Adrian explains that this was a key asset that he’s carried throughout his career. And Emily, nearly eight years after graduation, still connects with her former classmates. “We rely on each other professionally,” she says.

There’s also a palpable sense of determination among Full Sail’s student body. And this dedication, explains Jeff Sharon (Course Director, Public Relations Master’s) is what makes someone a good fit for the school. “To me, the ideal student for our program has three things going for them,” he says. “They’re curious, they’re disciplined, and they’re passionate.”

Ryan Kitelyn (Program Director, Graduate Studies) agrees. “We’ve all been in our lives where we’ve had a passion, wanted to do something. But all those factors have to line up,” he explains. “You have to be ready to make a big commitment. You have to be dedicated. You have to be driven. There’ll be challenges. Your passion is not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding.”

Explore more at FullSail.edu or call an Admissions Representative at 800.226.7625.

“Never stop learning.”

In a roundtable discussion with fellow Full Sail University faculty, Michael Tabb (Course Director, Creative Writing Master’s) reflects on what it means to be both an educator and a creator. Each role inspires the other, he explains.

He tells a story about how he recently submitted a script, on a whim, to the New Mexico International Film Festival. Just to see if he could direct it. Ultimately, his project won the festival’s award for Best Screenplay.

“I didn’t start out thinking, ‘I’m going to be a teacher,’” he says. “I realized that there were these great situations where I could give back, and I saw other people do it. And the students empower you. They get me jazzed about writing the next thing.”

Cassandra Willard (Course Director, Entertainment Business Master’s) says she is similarly inspired by the intersection of teaching and her own passion for her industry. “I think one of my coolest experiences I’ve had here at Full Sail was speaking on a panel in Atlanta at a music festival, and looking three people down and seeing a graduate. To sit on a panel and have the moderator as a buffer between myself and a grad — it was a light bulb moment for that graduate. Like, ‘Hey, we’re here! We’re at the table. We’re in the industry!’”

Another instructor who’s had the opportunity to speak at several conferences is Paul Kegel (Course Director, Innovation & Entrepreneurship Master’s). Although the subject matter of the talks may vary — from architecture and tier design to banking and credit unions, for instance — they always, in some way, benefit and relate back to his classes at Full Sail. “One of the courses I teach is Innovative Work Environments,” he explains, “which is related to my business. And I recently went back to get my doctorate degree. I’m able to take all that knowledge from my dissertation and not only help my clients, but help the students understand it better.”

At Full Sail, we encourage faculty — to explore, to network, and to keep learning — not only because it helps them grow as individuals, but also because it benefits our students. “I love that this school supports whenever I go to a convention or a conference,” says Michael. “Our industries are always changing. We’ve got to make sure we’re teaching [students] what they’re doing now. It’s great that we work in a place where we have that support system all around us.”

Click here to explore more about the community of professionals who keep Full Sail’s degree programs dialed in to industry trends, or connect with an Admissions Representative at 800.226.7625.

“Our goal is to prepare them for the real world. To get jobs. To establish careers.”

That’s what Maria Ferguson, Department Chair of Full Sail University’s Internet Marketing master’s degree program says about how fundamental it is that students learn industry skills while enrolled in Full Sail’s immersive, hands-on degree programs.

“It’s important that we equip [students] with everything they need,” says Maria, “and that we give them honest feedback. Because they need to be able to use that in the real world, where people aren’t so nice.”

Cassandra Willard (Course Director, Entertainment Business Master’s) also implements this philosophy in her classes. “As our students go through the program, they’re learning skills like negotiations, finance, marketing techniques, and legal aspects. I always tell them: ‘At the end of a talk, if you aren’t walking away with something you can apply today, I’m failing you.’”

The two graduates at the table can attest to the value of their instructors’ focus on industry skills. Emily Wray, an Online Master’s Program grad, says she found it beneficial to continue working while she studied for her degree. “I could immediately apply the concepts and techniques I was learning in my curriculum, back at the office.”

Similarly, Thaddeus Ray (an Entertainment Business Master’s and Business Intelligence Master’s graduate) recalls a specific moment when his degree program positively influenced his career. At the time, he was living in Los Angeles, interning for an independent record label, and working toward his Business Intelligence Capstone project.

“My capstone project was to build a business case on developing a data-informed solution plan for a company. I went and talked to the CEO and asked if I could meet with him and talk about [the plan]. And he was intrigued. He was like, ‘Absolutely.’ It put me in a position I had never been in before. I wanted to have an edge — and Full Sail provided that for me.”

For a closer look at Full Sail’s master’s degree programs, all of which focus on skills-based learning to equip students for their careers, explore our degrees here,  or call an Admissions Representative at 800.226.7625.

Tired of the standard, run-of-the-mill classroom experience? With Full Sail University’s online master’s degree programs, students engage in hands-on, project-based curriculums designed to meet the needs of actual workplaces and realistic lifestyles.

Watch this video for an inside look as a group of grads and instructors discuss the importance of providing — and obtaining — a real-world education.

“It’s one thing to sit in a classroom,” says Jeff Sharon, a course director in Full Sail’s Public Relations Master’s Program. “It’s another thing to test your ability out in the field in real time.”

Jeff says he challenges students to build upon their technical skills week after week. To give an example, he describes a typical assignment in his Digital News Production class.

“[The students] start with just a sequence of video — no narration, just natural sound. Then you add narration in Week 2. Then in Week 3, you add sound bites from two interviews. And then in Week 4, I take away one of those things. I take away narration. And then it’s just what we call a documentary-style piece … They don’t even realize it ’til the end.”

While lessons about documentary filmmaking aren’t found in every Full Sail classroom, this kind of project-based learning is. “Whatever fields that we’re teaching,” says Ryan Kitelyn (Program Director, Graduate Studies), “we’re using technology to an end. To make sure you can create and that you can be artistic in your endeavors.”

For instance, Cassandra Willard (Course Director, Entertainment Business Master’s) strives to make sure her students accomplish their respective endeavors by walking them through detailed business plans. “We look at a fundamental framework of, what are the things you’re going to create that somebody will want to buy one day?”

Reflecting on his experiences as a Full Sail student, Thaddeus Ray (an Entertainment Business Master’s and Business Intelligence Master’s grad) recalls building upon his own expanding skillsets. “I’d work on a big project bit by bit. And every week, it was something new and different and exciting.”

For a closer look at Full Sail’s master’s degree programs, all of which incorporate hands-on, project-based learning, explore our degrees here,  or call an Admissions Representative at 800.226.7625.

Among the most popular reasons to study online is the convenience of working from anywhere around the world. Thaddeus Ray, a graduate of Full Sail University’s Entertainment Business Master’s and Business Intelligence Master’s graduate, says this kind of 24/7 flexibility was key for him. “I moved cross-country during my second master’s program. I had my laptop. I found a library and an internet connection. I was able to get my work done … It was a seamless experience.”

Beyond empowering you to learn when and where you choose, Full Sail also provides all students with the technological tools they need to succeed. This package — called Project LaunchBox — is given to all students, both online and on campus. It includes a MacBook Pro, plus professional software and industry technologies.

Adrian Beecher (a Public Relations Master’s graduate) found Project Launchbox helpful in more ways than one. “I think the fact that everybody has the same type of technology in your degree program is very beneficial because you can team up. We wouldn’t be able to do that if we all didn’t have the same type of technology.”

This uniformity in resources not only allows students to team up on assignments; it also supports real-time interaction, enables hands-on creativity, and provides unique networking opportunities.

“I think technology has made the line between online and campus even more blurred in the last couple years,” says Ryan Kitelyn (Program Director, Graduate Studies). “Our discussion boards are set up to basically be that discussion in the classroom where you raise your hand, then I comment on something that you said. It’s a very organic way of discussing subject matter.”

Maria Ferguson (Department Chair, Internet Marketing Master’s) appreciates how technology allows staff to bring students together to enjoy Q&As and guest panels with industry experts. “This isn’t just within a cohort; we usually open it up to the entire university. I find that, especially for our online students, they really enjoy that.”

“We try to break down barriers,” says Jeff Sharon (Course Director, Public Relations Master’s). “And when you can see groups of students get together and meet up and share stories and share resources, that makes a world of difference.”

Explore more about Learning Online here, or contact an Admissions Representative at 800.226.7625.

Full Sail University is proud to announce the most recent recipient of its Extraordinary Educator award. Lindsey Spalding, who teaches Modeling and Simulation at Hagerty High School in Oviedo, FL, accepted the award as part of the celebrations during Full Sail’s ninth annual Hall of Fame Week.

By incorporating real world skills into her classroom, fostering collaborative partnerships, and striving to enhance her own curriculum knowledge, Lindsey was a natural choice for the Extraordinary Educator award.

“I take my role in helping students learn very seriously,” says Lindsey, “[so I go] above and beyond the traditional school walls to [help them] gain knowledge through experience.”

Since 2014, Lindsey has focused on developing Hagerty High School’s Modeling and Simulation program, facilitating STEM leadership initiatives between educational and industry institutions for the betterment of her students and the workforce.

“Interdisciplinary learning, especially in Applied Technology Programs is not a fad, it is the future,” says Lindsey, who continually sought out additional resources to enhance her classroom experience. “Full Sail University has played an important role in helping me build a four-year Modeling and Simulation program.”

Lindsey also provided training to 40 Central Florida teachers over summer break, teaching gaming, animation, and simulation coursework that they could take into their own classrooms.

This focus and determination to bring a modern educational approach to Lindsey’s students as well as her fellow educators continues to yield positive results, and Full Sail is proud to acknowledge her achievements and support her future endeavors.

A college degree is one of life’s most rewarding accomplishments – especially when it’s in a field you’re truly passionate about. But, that degree doesn’t guarantee that the minute you leave school, someone will hand your dream job to you. While you’re in college and mastering a skill, you need to learn how to make yourself an ideal candidate too.

Full Sail’s Career Development department helps you grow professionally, from the minute you step foot on campus or log-in online. Ask any Full Sail alumnus – there’s a good chance he or she tapped into Full Sail’s Career Development expertise to polish their résumé, get a lead on an internship, or even connect to a coveted gig on a film set or in a design studio. Career Development is a readily available resource throughout your time at Full Sail. Here are a few ways they can help you focus on your future career:

Portfolio projects come with a side of Résumé Fundamentals. Throughout each of Full Sail’s bachelor’s degree programs, students complete seven career modules –focused, one-credit courses that cover everything from personal branding and networking to résumé writing and interviewing. Since they’re spread out throughout the course of the program, you’re always making sure to dedicate some time to your professional development.

Practice makes perfect. Beyond those modules, if you want some one-on-one help with your résumé, or you want to put your job-interview skills to the test in a simulated setting, Career Development staff members are there to help. The department frequently hosts guest speakers on campus (which stream for online students too), who bring with them an arsenal of pro tips on how to brand yourself and ace the job-search process.

They say it’s all about who you know… Career Development has a team of Industry Outreach employees whose main goal is to stay in touch with companies that need candidates for internships, temporary gigs, and full-time jobs. They’ll help you with your job search too, connecting you with these and other opportunities. Recently, for example, the department arranged a Full Sail-exclusive job fair with sports companies at Miami’s Camping World Stadium, and hosted a Career Expo with recruiting managers from IBM Design, Universal Orlando, and more during Full Sail’s annual Hall of Fame celebration.

To graduation … and beyond. The career help doesn’t stop just because you’ve graduated. Career Development at Full Sail comes with post-graduation help. Grads have access to an online alumni network and to CareerSync, an online portal of job listings and other opportunities. (You’ll get access to CareerSync three months before your graduation date.) You can always reach out to the department for career advice and job transition help as well. Once a member of the Full Sail family, always a member of the Full Sail family.

Learn it today, act on it tomorrow. In just 12 months, Full Sail’s New Media Journalism master’s program can help you expand your professional skills.

The age of information has given rise to a new breed of journalist – tech-savvy individuals who understand there’s more than one way to tell a story. Full Sail’s New Media Journalism master’s program prepares students for an ever-changing media landscape by giving them tools to produce engaging content.

“More people are choosing journalism today than ever before,” says program director Ryan Kitelyn. “As educators, we have to separate the signal from the noise. What defines good journalism? What is good content? We address these questions by looking at the theories behind the deliverables.”

Prospective students usually fall into one of two categories, says Kitelyn. The first are people who have worked in media and communications for a long time and are looking to expand their understanding of current trends and technologies. The second group tends to be less experienced. They’re budding journalists who have grown up with social media and are looking to expand their writing, research, and distribution skills.

No matter which group a new student falls into, each class provides balanced opportunities for both new media training and journalistic skill-building – beginning with a leadership course before moving on to study the foundations of new and interactive media. Students are encouraged to pursue topics that they’re passionate about as they build a portfolio throughout the program.

“Your career training starts when you enter the program. We help students pick a beat that interests them, and then they develop content around that topic along the way,” says Kitelyn.

Today’s journalists must also further the conversation through social media. Courses in online community engagement and public relations round out the foundational courses, offering strategies for continued discourse and social media hygiene. Finally, students will learn how to distribute their work.

“As students complete deliverables, we encourage them to send that stuff out,” says Kitelyn. “Hopefully, some of those pieces get picked up and published by media outlets.” The goal is to send graduates into the professional world with a robust portfolio they can show off to potential employers. The degree culminates with a final project that serves that very purpose – and allows students to do a deep dive into a story they’ve always wanted to tell.

“One thing all of our graduates have in common is curiosity,” says Kitelyn. “They come from all walks of life, but each of them wants to know more about the world around them. They’re the kind of people who read something and want to know who the writer is, or they watch a news story and look up more information about it afterward. Our grads are excited to dig deeper.”

Learn it today, act on it tomorrow. In just 12 months, Full Sail’s Media Design MFA program can help you expand your professional skills.

These days, brands rely on creative content strategies to connect with consumers. To keep up with an ever-changing market, successful designers are widening their scope to encompass all facets of media design – including aspects of print, web, audio, and video.

Full Sail’s Media Design MFA program offers working professionals the chance to branch out and push their craft to the next level. The program combines foundations in research and development with practical project application, providing graduates with a comprehensive portfolio they can then present to potential clients.

“We’ve designed the program in a way that builds skills through the progression of courses,” says Program Director Don Larson.

Students begin with basic mastery courses focused on building leadership skills and identifying client needs. From there, they move on to brand development. In the third month, they create a company logo for either a real or fictitious business. That business becomes the focus of ongoing portfolio projects.

“The logo project goes beyond the undergraduate level because we have them put a ton of research into it. They spend an entire month just sketching different versions of a brand mark, and by the end of the class they’ve built all these considerations into the ideation process,” says Larson.

Another class that’s unique to Full Sail’s approach to media design is Effective Copywriting.

“Traditionally, designers do not write copy,” says Larson. “But they will spend their professional lives working with copywriters. A well-rounded designer should be able to do more, whether that means competently reworking copy for layout purposes or having a working knowledge of the fundamentals of copywriting to better support their team members.”

Halfway through the program, students submit their partially-completed portfolios to a faculty committee for review. Based on that feedback, they can either move forward with their projects or enter a cycle of revision where they refine their design strategy.

“Most of our students are coming into the program with some design experience,” says Larson. “But at varying levels of mastery. The portfolio review allows students with less experience to get up to speed. It’s a process called diversified learning.”

Personalized attention is a hallmark of the program. Smaller class sizes (about 15 people on average) mean more one-on-one time with instructors. And since students are free to choose the direction of their campaigns, the options for professional applications are endless – from creating a stellar interview showpiece to building a brand package for an actual small business.

Rounding out the program are courses in multimedia platforms and design effectiveness, where students can explore design concepts for different content mediums and measure performance values for each platform. The program culminates with a thesis presentation.

“The point of the program is to open new doors to designers who want to take their creative work to the next level,” says Larson. “The type of people who do well in this program are the ones who want to dig deeper and try something new. We give them the tools, and then we give them the time to hone their skills.”

For an example of a Media Design portfolio project, check out 2015 graduate Aileen Pasion’s brand campaign for the fictional Honey Dew Bee Company.

Learn it today, act on it tomorrow. In just 12 months, Full Sail’s Internet Marketing master’s program can help you expand your professional skills.

The age of information has led to consumers who are more aware – and more inundated with choices – than ever before. Companies need to develop a strong digital presence if they hope to thrive in a competitive market. Full Sail’s Internet Marketing master’s program is aimed at working professionals looking to engage an audience and set their business apart.

“Our program is exclusively focused on digital marketing,” says program director Rob Croll. “We’re looking at consumers and trying to answer a question: How does what you do online influence what you do offline?”

Students begin with a course in leadership and personal brand development before choosing a case study to follow for the duration of the program – anything from a non-profit they admire to a company they hope to work for someday. Small business owners can even choose to study their own company or that of a competitor.

“The case study is an opportunity to learn the material by putting it into action,” says Croll. “The biggest challenge grads face is how quickly the industry changes. Our curriculum is designed around agile marketers focused on continued education. We connect them to what’s happening and teach them how to stay on top of the industry.”

This means building foundations in things like web design, analytics, new media tools, and public relations. The goal isn’t to breed advanced web designers or analysts, but rather to give students an overview of digital marketing as a whole, something that’s critical when it comes to developing a good marketing strategy.

“Halfway through, they take an advanced internet marketing course, which allows them to see how the pieces fit together to maximize productivity,” says Croll.

Another standout course is advanced search engine optimization, where students develop crucial strategies for increasing brand awareness through both organic and paid methods of SEO. It also gives students a broader understanding of consumer search habits, something Croll calls “the linchpin to modern marketing.”

Throughout the program, students build a case study portfolio, which they can present to future employers after graduation. Working professionals often find themselves applying what they learn in the program right away.

“We hope they can take something away from every class and immediately put it into action,” says Croll. “It’s one thing to learn something. It’s another to do it. By doing, an action becomes meaningful. Internet marketing isn’t just something they study; it’s something they do.”