What is a self-designed curriculum?
A self-designed curriculum allows students to build an individualized
study plan. Students take only those courses that are an exact match
for their professional needs, or that are most interesting to them.
Return to Top
Is MACS a self-designed program?
Yes. MACS requires students to take only 4 core courses. All other
courses and the content of the practicum sequence are self-designed
by the students. Students can choose to pursue any of the courses
offered here at the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences
(SHSS), or at MACS partner programs at the Oceanographic Center,
the College of Allied Health and Nursing, or at the Graduate School
for Computer and Information Sciences.
Return to Top
Will anybody be there to guide me as I design my
own curriculum?
Yes. Dr. McKay, the MACS program chair, serves as an academic
advisor to students and helps them design an effective graduate
curriculum custom-matched to their academic interests and professional
needs.
Return to Top
I am keenly interested in two of your concentration
tracks. Do I have to choose one, or can I combine elements of both?
Yes, it is possible to combine courses from two different concentration
tracks to fashion your very own, individualized concentration track.
Return to Top
I am interested in MACS but I have a full-time job
I can’t give up. How can I combine my job and a Master’s
program?
The availability of all MACS courses in an online format makes
the program ideal for working professionals. Students can log on
to their course on their own time, whenever it is convenient. Logging
on is just as easy from home as it is from the office, or from the
road.
Return to Top
I understand MACS is available entirely online. Because
I don’t live in Florida, I will be a distance student, but
I am worried that my limited computer skills will be a problem.
No need to worry. The WebCT environment MACS utilizes is very easy
to navigate, and you do not need specialized computer skills to
be a successful distance student.
Return to Top
Are any MACS courses available in the traditional
classroom format?
Yes. Select courses taught at the Main Campus in Fort Lauderdale
and at NSU cluster sites are available in the traditional classroom
format.
Return to Top
How long will it take me to finish MACS?
Students who pursue the degree full-time without using transfer
credits will in almost all cases be able to finish within 5 quarters.
In some cases students will be able to complete the degree within
one academic year.
Return to Top
What can I do with a Master’s
degree in Cross-disciplinary Studies?
There is really nothing you can’t do with the degree. Its
self-designed structure allows you to take charge of your own graduate
learning and choose to pursue those courses that have meaning to
your professional aspirations. You can, for instance, use MACS to
bolster your current professional identity by enrolling in courses
that will build upon specific areas of expertise you already possess.
Choosing the Culture and Society track, for example, professionals
who are active in the social services field can deepen their knowledge
by selecting courses in both Family Therapy and Conflict Analysis
and Resolution. In addition, MACS can give you the opportunity to
enter a new field without having to forfeit the professional and
academic experiences that define you now. Also, MACS makes it possible
for students to combine their interest in separate fields, for example
in medical research and the environment, giving students the opportunity
to build expertise in both fields at the same time.
Return to Top
I do not live in South Florida. Do I have to come
to campus at any time during the program?
MACS offers students the opportunity to come to Fort Lauderdale
to meet with program staff and instructors, and to pursue special
on-campus sessions for selected courses they may have chosen. We
strongly recommend that MACS students visit NSU’s Main Campus
at least once during their time as MACS students, but such a visit
is not a requirement.
Return to Top
|
