IN THE CLASSROOM - Students Ryan Henisey and Teresa Boulger, above, listen to the discussion during class at California State University, Bakersfield-Antelope Valley Center in Lancaster. BERNARD KANE/Valley Press

Masters of learning

Program offered by CSUB-AV

By LIANE M. ROTH
Valley Press Staff Writer

But with gasoline nearing $4 a gallon and the Antelope Valley Freeway looking more like the California Speedway, who can afford to drive out of town for a master's degree?

Up until the advent of the California State University, Bakersfield-Antelope Valley Center satellite campus, students seeking upper-level degrees had to commute to Bakersfield, Northridge or campuses even farther away.

"People are surprised when they learn there's a branch campus of California State University in Lancaster and that we have a master's program," said Charles MacQuarrie, associate professor for the department of English at CSUB-AV.

MacQuarrie teaches English literature and linguistics at the campus on the northeast corner of the Antelope Valley College campus.

He said the English master's degree program is geared toward working people with bachelor's degrees who want to obtain advanced degrees for a variety of reasons.

"Some do it for personal development - others for professional development," MacQuarrie said. "Some do it for the love of the subject.

"The best part is it's right here in the AV - and we have highly qualified professors working with the students without the drive out of town," he said.

Besides the master of arts degree in English, CSUB-AV offers master of arts degrees in educational administration and educational curriculum and instruction, as well as a master of science degree in social work.

According to MacQuarrie, teachers make up the majority of the graduate students at the Valley campus, but several students are interested in honing their skills in other areas.

"Some of our students are screenwriters, or they want to pursue an academic career. Maybe they already have a job in something and now they want to teach. We can help them achieve that goal," he said.

CSUB officials are working on a teaching internship program with AVC so students can fulfill the credential requirements without driving out of town, said MacQuarrie.

All the classes required for the degree are available at the Lancaster campus, but sometimes students choose to travel to the main campus in Bakersfield, he said.

"Most students take three years to complete the course work required, but some are able to finish in two years if they take classes in Bakersfield. It's up to them," MacQuarrie said.

Getting into the master's program is a fairly simple process once people know how to start, said MacQuarrie.

"Students need a 3.2 (grade-point average) or higher - they might have to make up some undergraduate courses - we can help with that - and they don't have to take the GREs (graduate record examinations). Financial aid is available and is based on need and merit," he said.

The satellite campus is at Avenue J-8 and 30th Street West and includes an on-site advising center, a small research library and an administrative staff to provide student services.

"Our advising center is very good. The staff are knowledgeable and helpful. Students tell us they got the help they needed in a timely matter," MacQuarrie said.

Two professors are in the English department at the AV site: MacQuarrie and associate professor Steven Frye, who has a doctorate in American literature.

While MacQuarrie focuses on British literature and Frye teaches the American side, both call the smaller campus in Lancaster a good setting for more personal learning experiences.

"It has the feel of a small, liberal arts college," Frye said. "We all get to know each other - we become friends, study partners, after-hours buddies.

"Students rely on each other and get involved in each other's lives. The seminars are small and we get to be supportive of the students. The main campus can be overwhelming for students who might get lost among the numbers - students certainly never get lost with us," Frye said.

According to the university's Web site, the master's in English qualifies students to teach at community colleges as well as for careers in the public sector and emphasizes training in language, reading and writing, critical analysis and research methods.

California State University, Bakersfield, first opened in 1970 as the 19th member of the 23-campus California State University system. It sits on a 375-acre site in Bakersfield. The university has 30 buildings that provide classrooms, laboratory, administrative and technical support facilities.

About 6,200 undergraduate and graduate students are served by approximately 300 faculty members. The student-to-faculty ratio is 18-to-1. More than 90% of the regular faculty have doctorates from major universities, the university says.

CSUB has majors in more than 50 undergraduate academic fields, a full range of pre-professional offerings and 14 graduate degree options.

CSUB-AV is at 43909 30th St. West. For details about the English master's program or other studies, call (661) 952-5000 or visit www.csub.edu.

lroth@avpress.com