SPECS HOWARD SCHOOL OF MEDIA ARTS 2015 CATALOG Specs Howard School of Media Arts is dedicated to inspiring, educating and motivating future leaders in the media arts. We continuously monitor and evaluate both our student outcomes and the achievement of our institutional goals so that we may improve our efforts for our students, staff, employers, and community. — SHS mission statement Specs Howard School of Media Arts is accred- MAIN CAMPUS: 19900 West Nine Mile Road, Southfield, MI 48075 ited by the Accrediting Commission of Career 248-358-9000 | Fax: 248-746-9772 Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), which is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. SATELLITE LOCATION: 23801 Industrial Park Drive, Suite 100, Farmington Hills, MI 48335 Specs Howard reserves the right to modify 248-427-1800 | Fax: 248-426-1212 any portion of this catalog as needed. Any changes to this catalog will be provided in the form of an addendum, which shall be agreed to, in writing, by all parties. 866-61-SPECS | specshoward.edu Volume 43, JANUARY 2015 For completion rates and other disclosures, visit specshoward.edu/consumerinfo Contents Welcome! ................................................. 5 3 Who is Specs Howard? ..........................7 About the school .................................... 8 Admissions Requirements ................10 Career Services .....................................12 PROGRAMS Broadcast Media Arts (BMA) .............14 Graphic Design (GFX) .........................22 Digital Media Arts (DMA) ....................28 Management .........................................34 Facilities .................................................37 Student Success .................................38 Specs Howard School policies.........40 All photographs in this catalog were taken either at Specs Howard School of Media Arts’ Main Campus Financial policies .................................49 in Southfield, Michigan, or its Satellite Location in Farmington Hills, Michigan, unless otherwise noted. Schedule of classes ............................52 Additional information .......................54 Index ........................................................55 Founded in 1970 for the purpose of training aspiring radio and television industry professionals, Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts changed its name in 2009 to SPECS HOWARD SCHOOL OF MEDIA ARTS, to reflect an expanded curriculum that included training in digital media arts and graphic design. Welcome! 5 A message from THE MEDIA WORLD is a rapidly developing, tremendously exciting field with untold growth potential. The radio and television industries, along with audio and video production, graphic design, digital media and related enterprises, have impacted the Chairman our society at almost every level imaginable. of Specs Howard Since the time that Mr. Howard first opened the school in 1970, our students have been preparing for careers in the mass media through a practical, hands-on approach. Over the years, we have adapted our curricula in response to the School of Media Arts tremendous growth in the industries for which we train. One thing that has not changed is the practical, hands-on, “real-world” approach to learning. For over forty years, thousands of individuals have made a change in their lives by enrolling at Specs Howard School of Media Arts. Today our graduates work all over the world in virtually every aspect of the broadcast, communications and media industries. I hope you will choose the Specs Howard School as the first step in making a difference in your life. We’re ready to help you! Good luck in your new career in radio, television, audio or video production, graphic design, media arts, or whatever part of this wonderful industry you choose to enter! Jonathan Liebman Chairman WHO IS SPECS HOWARD? Radio pioneer Specs Howard was born Jerry Liebman on April 8, 1926, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. Here are some of In 1948, he received a bachelor’s degree in history/political science and radio 7 Specs’ many awards speech and dramatics from Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania. That and honors: same year, he opened his own radio station in his home state. n Detroit Producers In 1954, Howard moved to Cleveland and continued his broadcast career there Association’s with NBC and Westinghouse. In 1962, he joined forces with Harry Martin, launching Lifetime The Martin and Howard Show, which remained on the air in Cleveland until the duo Achievement Award moved to Detroit in January 1967. The show aired for another two years in Detroit. (1996) n Inductee into In 1970, Howard founded the Specs Howard School of Broadcast Arts, which has the Michigan since trained thousands of people for successful media careers. Association of Broadcaster’s Hall As a result of Specs’ longstanding history and dedication to the broadcast and of Fame (2005) media arts, he has been the recipient of a number of the industry’s top awards, honors and accolades. n Inductee into the Ohio Association of Specs still shows up for work every day at the school he founded over forty-five Broadcaster’s Hall years ago. If you spot him in the hall, be sure to say “hi!” of Fame (2006) n Inductee into the Oh, and the name? He chose “Specs” as his professional Radio/Television moniker because of the trademark horn rimmed glasses he Broadcasters Hall of wore. “Howard,” however, was chosen randomly out of a Fame of Ohio (2007) phone book! n Imagine America Foundation’s Pioneer Award (2008) n Michigan Association of Broadcaster’s Lifetime Achievement Award Top: Specs with his Cleveland (2009) radio show partner Harry Martin, some time in the 1960s. Left: n Broadcast Legacy Specs more recently. (Photos Award Cleveland courtesy of Broadcast (2010) Mr. Howard) About 8 SPECS HOWARD SCHOOL offers undergraduate programs of study in Broadcast Media Arts, Graphic Design and Digital Media Arts. The curricula at Specs Howard School focus on teaching students the skills and knowledge needed to work with industry equipment in job-related activities through a the “hands-on” approach. Specs Howard students are continu- ously building confidence and increasing skill levels, while working toward achieving their ultimate goal: employment. Specs Howard School is a private career school that takes an active interest in every student’s individual development. All faculty members have received college School degrees in their areas of expertise and/or have worked extensively in those fields. The Broadcast Media Arts (BMA) program provides hands-on training through supervised lab sessions in the Specs Howard School radio and television studios. BMA students refine skills in radio performance, news and commercial copywriting, television field production, audio and video production, and digital editing. A portion of the BMA curriculum is taught via an online learning management system. Our Since its 1970: SHS begins offering 1973: SHS 1978: SHS inception, programs in basic radio incorporates its receives History SHS has been performance and first on-air radio national dedicated federal licensing station, WNLD, accreditation. to providing requirements. as part of the In 1983, the hands-on radio program school is training in curriculum. approved for the media federal financial industries. aid programs. SHS has thousands of graduates working throughout the world in all aspects of media arts. The Graphic Design (GFX) program provides hands-on tions in the communications and media fields to enrich 9 training through supervised lab sessions in the Specs Howard their educational experience. Internships, while strongly School graphics labs. GFX students refine skills in basic encouraged, are not a requirement for graduation from any graphic design principles, color theory, layout concepts, SHS program. typography, copywriting, photography, motion graphics and web design. A portion of the GFX curriculum is taught via an The final measure of the quality of Specs Howard School’s online learning management system. programs is the degree of success of the graduates. The SHS Career Services Department actively generates job leads and The Digital Media Arts (DMA) program provides hands-on works individually with graduates to maximize their possi- training through supervised lab sessions in the Specs bilities for timely and appropriate job placement. Addition- Howard School media labs. DMA students refine skills in ally, Specs Howard School graduates have been working in camera techniques, non-linear editing, media writing, and the industry since 1970; therefore, many of the employers web design. A portion of the DMA curriculum is taught via an are graduates themselves who are currently employed in online learning management system. upper-level management positions in the radio, television and communications industries. Specs Howard School provides students with structured opportunities to succeed in simulated job situations. Instructors provide the necessary theoretical background in traditional classroom settings and feedback from lab and field experiences. Whenever possible, students are offered internship opportunities (usually unpaid) with organiza- 1981: SHS adds its first TV studio, 1994: Keeping 2008: Due to 2009: SHS 2010: In response to increasing allowing students to study camera pace with new demand for opens its demand for web-based media operation, technologies, graphic and Farmington professionals, lighting, directing the school web design Hills location, the Digital Media and video adds