Meteorology degrees and certificates offered by Mississippi State University.(Letter to the editor)

In the December 2006 issue of NWA Digest, Wilson (2006) addressed the sparsely-studied topic of broadcast meteorologists and their perceptions of the seals of approval awarded by the National Weather Association and American Meteorological Society. In this paper, Wilson (2006) provides useful insight into the opinions of weathercasters, which also establishes a standard for comparison of future research. Wilson (2006) uses Mississippi State University (MSU) as an example of a program that trains students in both the science of meteorology as well as communication skills. However, the brief explanations provided by Wilson (2006) leave some ambiguity regarding the MSU programs, and readers may be led to believe that one can earn an online degree in meteorology at MSU. This misconception and others should be clarified below.

Meteorology Degree and Certificate Programs Offered by MSU

Since the inception of the MSU Broadcast Meteorology Programs, there has been a great deal of confusion both within and outside of the broadcast meteorology industry regarding the program's offerings. Whether in professional publications or public conversations, the debate over the value of a broadcast meteorology education from MSU can be a contentious subject. This debate, while not likely to subside, deserves an entry of perspective and understanding into the formation and purpose of the MSU programs.

a. Distance Learning Broadcast Meteorology Program

The Distance Learning Broadcast Meteorology Program (DL BMP), developed in 1986, is a non-degree program designed to provide working broadcasters with training in meteorology. In fact, broadcasting courses are absent from the curriculum as it is assumed the student has gained, or is gaining, this knowledge from practical experience and/or previous education. Originally, the DL BMP consisted of ten courses. As a result of technological advances in both meteorology and DL delivery methods, and student requests, the curriculum has grown to 17 courses (Doug Gillham 2007, personal communication). Two courses are taken per semester (including summer term) for the period of three years (Table 1.).

 
Table 1. Course curriculum sequence of DL BMP 
 
Semester         Year 1           Year 2                  Year 3 
 
Fall     Phys. Geography       Synoptic Meteorology  Physical Met. 
         Introduction to Met.  Statistical           Thermodynamic 
         Introduction to Met.  Climatology           Met. 
 
Spring   World Geography       Water Resources       Weather 
         Climatology           Satellite  Met.       Prediction I 
                                                     Severe Weather 
 
Summer   Natural Hazards       Applied Climatology   Weather 
                               Radar Met.            Prediction II 
                                                     Oceanography 

Each course includes twelve one-hour lectures supplied on DVD, a web-based and instructor-driven, interactive learning center, weekly quizzes, and quarterly examinations. Upon satisfactory completion of the coursework (students must earn a grade of "C" or higher in ...