UNM is adding three degree programs for the next academic year.
A bachelor of fine arts degree in film and digital media will begin accepting students this fall. A teaching certificate in biomedical sciences and a master's of science for physician assistants will also begin accepting applicants.
The Board of Regents approved the programs at its meeting earlier this month.
Regent Carolyn Abeita said the three programs were unanimously approved by the board, the Faculty Senate and the Academic/Student Affairs & Research Committee.
"All three programs are incredibly enriching programs that not only meet a variety of needs but are also very timely in a growing and changing economy," she said.
Andrea Polli, director for the new Interdisciplinary Film and Digital Media Program, said the degree will benefit students who are interested in aspects of both fields and how they work together.
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"Whether they are technically minded and want to do programming and computer science or are artistically minded and want to make films and animations by using and even developing the tools of media, they will find a path in this program," Polli said. "With the new technologies that are being developed, this program will certainly give students an advantage and a leg up in terms of what is happening with the film industry . especially with all of the film rendering work from Hollywood being sent to New Mexico."
The certificate program in University Science Teaching in Biomedical Sciences aims to give graduate students teaching skills and experience in their chosen field, according to the summary presented to the Board of Regents.
The addition of the certificate program will address local and national shortages in discipline-specific training and professional development in the art of teaching and communicating. It aims to enhance competitiveness of trainees for teaching jobs in New Mexico and nationally.
The last of the three degrees is the master of science in Physician Assistant Studies. It will not begin until summer 2010.
The degree is meant to prepare graduates for the rapidly changing world of health care, according to the summary presented to the Board of Regents. It addresses the need for primary health care providers in rural areas of New Mexico.
Nikki Katalanos, who will direct the Physician Assistant Program, said the degree will allow UNM to train clinicians to help in their community.
"We are the only state-supported physician assistant program in New Mexico, and we are the only program in New Mexico that is dedicated strictly to New Mexico," she said. "At this point, out of 142 physician assistant programs in the country, we are one of the very few now that don't offer a master's degree, and as a result, we have lost some excellent applicants."
