Combined-degree program difficult, but desirable to some

Imagine coming to college with no intention of graduating within four years, and having to fulfill the requirements for two separate degrees from two entirely different schools. For the students in the Tufts/School of the Museum of Fine Arts (SMFA) five-year combined-degree program, this dual college experience is not so difficult to imagine.

Students in the combined-degree program receive a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Bachelor of Arts (BA) upon graduation. Of course, this is after they have completed the requirements of a normal Tufts student _ completion of the foundation, distribution, and concentration credits. This works out to a minimum of 24 academic credits.

In addition to fulfilling a normal Tufts course load, Tufts/SMFA students must also complete 30 credits of studio art classes and six courses of art history. Each degree, which normally take four years to complete on its own, are completed at the same time but within five years. For the first two and a half years, students focus on their Tufts degree, usually taking four academic courses and one studio art course. For the last two and a half years, they focus on their art requirements, taking two academic classes and three art studio classes.

So why would someone submit themselves to this kind of workload? Students must fulfill two degrees at the same time, stay on an extra year after their friends graduate, take a 45-minute shuttle, sometimes more than four times a week between Tufts and the Museum School. One asks, "Is it worth it?"

Students in the program definitely agree that it is. The program started up unofficially in the late 1970's and early 80's. It finally became official due to student demands. "These students wanted the best of worlds, strong academics and a chance to fully develop their artistic abilities. They are truly ambitious," the Program Advisor and Dean of Academic Affairs at the Museum School Susan Lush said.

Caitlin Dalton, a freshman, gave a similar reason for applying to the program. "I didn't want to give up my arts, and I didn't want to give up my academics. I chose this program because it let me keep both." Students in the program are able to take any class at Tufts, as well as any of the courses offered at The Museum School, such as photography, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, paper making, sound art, and film.

Of course, while the connection between a Tufts degree and a Fine Arts degree may not be obvious at first, some students in the program find that both their majors supplement each other. One Tufts/SMFA student majoring in Peace and Justice Studies, and concentrating in video and film at the Museum School, finds that both of her concentrations actually complement each other. She uses film and video to make political statements in a creative and effective manner.

This isn't to say that combined-degree students are never frustrated with the program. One unanimous complaint among students is the long shuttle ride back and forth to the Museum School. Another major complaint would be the lack of communication between both schools. Both schools run under entirely different computer systems, so when students begin to enroll in the Museum School full-time after two and a half years, they may have trouble transferring credits or getting the right amount of financial aid.

Susan Lush also admits that most faculty members as well as students at Tufts "have no idea about how the program works, or even of the existence of the program." The lack of publicity is unfortunate, Lush says, since Tufts University is the only school to offer this kind of program with the visual arts. The Tufts/SMFA program is quite small, having about 60 students in it currently.

And what lies ahead for these unique students after they graduate? "They all do so many things," Lush said. "I'm actually writing recommendations for a student that wants to go to law school."