What’s Your Combo? Spotlighting Our Combined Degree Students
By Leah Antovel, marketing and social media student assistant at UF CJC Online
April 1, 2020
All University of Florida students from any college, online or on-campus, can pursue a bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time in just five years through UF CJC Online’s Combined Degree Program. With the approval of their undergraduate adviser and after completing an application, approved students are able to choose from eight master’s specializations based on their interests. Up to four graduate-level courses replace students’ professional electives. This option allows students to significantly cut down on the amount of time it would take them to complete a master’s, with most only having a year left of their postgraduate degree.
Much like the Master of Arts in Mass Communication, the Combined Degree Program caters to all students from varying backgrounds and situations.
Matthew Duffy
Matthew Duffy, a fourth year telecommunications in media and society major and a minor in theater with a specialization in digital strategy, decided to enroll in Combined Degree when he was registering for his senior year classes and notices he had open electives. After speaking with his adviser, they both decided Combined Degree was the option that made the most sense and where he would learn the most.
“It’s been an unreal experience so far,” he said. “I’ve never been a fan of online classes, honestly, until I did the Combined Degree. It really is a different caliber of professor.”
Duffy is currently the student general manager at GHQ, the student-run radio station in Weimer Hall. Combined Degree is preparing him for the real world by teaching him new skills that he can implement into his role.
“I get tangible results. I drive productivity,” Duffy said. “With digital strategy, there’s so much online that I can do.”
After completing his education, Duffy plans to move to a big city with a big market and put everything he’s learned to the test. He encourages other students to follow the same path.
“This is not only affordable, but it’s basically only one more year of school,” he said. “To be able to make that a five or six year college career and leave with an undergraduate and graduate degree? It just makes sense.”
Paige Gryski
Paige Gryski, an advertising senior with a specialization in web design, chose to enroll in Combined Degree at the beginning of her sophomore year once she realized how far ahead she was credit-wise and after seeing a sign for the program in the PATH office. Overall, Gryski describes her experience in the program so far as both innovative and organized.
“It definitely sets me apart when applying to internships because I’m getting my master’s and bachelor’s at the same time,” Gryski said. “You don’t see that very often.”
Her original plan after graduation was to do copywriting for an advertising agency. Now, with web design under her belt, she is open to doing graphic design, or even coding.
For students who may be considering a Combined Degree, Gryski suggests talking it over with an adviser.
“They’ll answer so many questions for you, and I think it’s a great program for almost anyone,” she said. “There’s so many different ways you can go with it.”
Maria Becerra
Maria Becerra, a fourth year public relations major with a specialization in digital strategy, enrolled in Combined Degree in spring of 2019. Becerra is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps and decided to pursue higher education after her time in the military.
She was interested in going for a master’s, specifically in digital strategy, because technology is needed in all industries and careers.
“Whether you have a little bit of knowledge about coding, web design or anything like that, I always feel like it adds a little pizazz to who you are and makes me very versatile,” she said. “I want to go into public relations, but it opens me up to work in marketing and a bunch of other areas.”
Right now, Becerra works on campus at the Collegiate Veterans Success Center. She’s the student assistant manager and helps supervise other students, but also helps veterans find resources on campus.
“My career goals are to move to New York. I plan to go into PR and work in a corporation,” she said. “An agency like Edelman would be the dream, but I’m willing to work in anything. I love change.”
Becerra believes completing a Combined Degree from UF CJC Online is a great opportunity for students.
“I don’t see many programs like it in many colleges,” she said. “It really gives you a good head start.”
If you’d like to learn more about pursuing a Combined Degree from UF CJC Online in one of our eight specializations including audience analytics, digital strategy, global strategic communications, political communications, public relations, public interest communications, social media or web design, please visit our website at: ufcombo.com and follow us on social @UFCJConline
Posted: April 1, 2020
Category: Student Spotlight, Student Success, Student Work, UF CJC Online Blog, UF CJC Online Profiles
