Digital Media Arts College (DMAC)
by Amanda Fornecker
Wouldn't you love to get the most out of your educational experience, without having to wait to take those interesting specialized classes? How about achieving a four-and-a-half year degree in three years and paying less tuition? All of this is possible at Digital Media Arts College (DMAC), located in Boca Raton, FL.
DMAC was founded in 2001 by Cynthia Jakeway and Tony Palmieri. "We created the school as a combination of the best practices we could find. We thought, 'Let's pull all these things together to make a college,'" says Palmieri, who is the Executive Vice President and co-CEO. And a college they did make, creating both undergraduate and graduate programs in computer animation and graphic design.
From their very first semester, students at DMAC are immersed into the curriculum. The bachelor's degree is completed in three full years of study and gives students nine semesters of schooling, starting with work on a computer. "Why attend school for a full year and not use a computer?" asks Palmieri. "From that first semester students start working on the computer so they get three full years of immersion. That's what they're here for."
In addition to acquiring computer arts skills while in the classroom, students can take advantage of the labs that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "A lot of our students are artists who like to work at night," says Palmieri. "Everyone will excel if they have opportunities to work so we don't limit the amount of time they can spend practicing their craft. We aim to make students practicing digital artists -- it's not just about the field, but the act of actually working in it."
Within the curricula at DMAC are drawing, sketching, and painting classes, along with general education classes, such as politics and psychology, that can be taken at any time when a student can fit them within their schedule.
The typical student usually has a passion for the arts, says Jakeway. "I hire passion [within faculty], and we look to accept those who have the highest level of passion." Most students, out of the 300 enrolled, are also right out of high school, she says. But there are also non-traditional students and career switchers, along with transfers who apply to take advantage of the advanced curriculum. And the master's program is usually comprised of students in their early 20s. Some who complete their bachelor's degree at DMAC, continue on to the master's program, while others look to get out into the workforce.
Classes average about 11 students and all faculty have had experience in their field. Jakeway says she hires professors based on a culture of caring. "It's not only about passion. One of their attributes must be that they are caring. Our students and families come first and that's when we feel college is successful."
With small classes, labs that never close, and lots of hands-on experience, students can take advantage of many important resources. That's one thing that Jakeway advises of students looking to go to not just DMAC, but to any school. "Take advantage of what a school gives you, especially with computer arts. It's highly competitive once you get out there but go somewhere that will give you the skills you need to succeed."
DMAC was founded in 2001 by Cynthia Jakeway and Tony Palmieri. "We created the school as a combination of the best practices we could find. We thought, 'Let's pull all these things together to make a college,'" says Palmieri, who is the Executive Vice President and co-CEO. And a college they did make, creating both undergraduate and graduate programs in computer animation and graphic design.
From their very first semester, students at DMAC are immersed into the curriculum. The bachelor's degree is completed in three full years of study and gives students nine semesters of schooling, starting with work on a computer. "Why attend school for a full year and not use a computer?" asks Palmieri. "From that first semester students start working on the computer so they get three full years of immersion. That's what they're here for."
In addition to acquiring computer arts skills while in the classroom, students can take advantage of the labs that are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. "A lot of our students are artists who like to work at night," says Palmieri. "Everyone will excel if they have opportunities to work so we don't limit the amount of time they can spend practicing their craft. We aim to make students practicing digital artists -- it's not just about the field, but the act of actually working in it."
Within the curricula at DMAC are drawing, sketching, and painting classes, along with general education classes, such as politics and psychology, that can be taken at any time when a student can fit them within their schedule.
The typical student usually has a passion for the arts, says Jakeway. "I hire passion [within faculty], and we look to accept those who have the highest level of passion." Most students, out of the 300 enrolled, are also right out of high school, she says. But there are also non-traditional students and career switchers, along with transfers who apply to take advantage of the advanced curriculum. And the master's program is usually comprised of students in their early 20s. Some who complete their bachelor's degree at DMAC, continue on to the master's program, while others look to get out into the workforce.
Classes average about 11 students and all faculty have had experience in their field. Jakeway says she hires professors based on a culture of caring. "It's not only about passion. One of their attributes must be that they are caring. Our students and families come first and that's when we feel college is successful."
With small classes, labs that never close, and lots of hands-on experience, students can take advantage of many important resources. That's one thing that Jakeway advises of students looking to go to not just DMAC, but to any school. "Take advantage of what a school gives you, especially with computer arts. It's highly competitive once you get out there but go somewhere that will give you the skills you need to succeed."
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