Sheridan supports proposals for colleges to offer master’s degree programs

Sheridan is pleased to hear that, according to a new survey conducted by Innovative Research, the majority of Ontarians support the creation of master’s degree programs at colleges. 

While Sheridan has enjoyed a long history of success in offering four-year degrees, the creation of a master’s degree program would provide Ontarians with more career options, including new opportunities to advance into management positions. 

Overall, Innovative Research found strong support for broadening Ontario colleges’ range of degree programs. Changes proposed to the provincial government include an increase in the number of four-year degree programs and the creation of master’s degree programs in specialized technical areas such as robotics, cybersecurity and animation.  

“At Sheridan, we’re laser-focused on providing our students with more opportunities to fulfill their career ambitions,” said Dr. Ted Gervan, Dean of Sheridan’s Faculty of Animation, Arts and Design. “The creative industries are undergoing professionalization, massive disruption and digitalization and digital media is now a vertical in all sectors of the economy.  Students train on state-of-the-art equipment, use powerful technology, and as we have seen from our work at the Screen Industries Research and Training Centre (SIRT), opportunities abound for a profession-orientated masters to support applied research specifically in the animation, games, and immersive technology sectors. As a global leader in this space, we are prepared to take this next step in the evolution of college programming.” 

Sheridan’s world-renowned Animation program is regularly amended to adapt to a changing job market. In 2001, over 30 years after first being introduced, it became a four-year Bachelor of Animation degree, and has expanded to include post-graduate certificates in computer animation, visual effects and digital creatures animation. Between 92% and 95% of Animation grads find jobs.  

“This is a transformational opportunity to build programing to address the ongoing and evolving healthcare needs of our communities and to build on the success of our degree programs,” adds Michael O’Leary, Dean of the Faculty of Health and Community Studies. “The COVID-19 pandemic has cemented the critical role trained healthcare professionals play in our society. Sheridan students working towards contributing to their communities in this significant way deserve to have the opportunity to further their education and acquire the specialized expertise master’s degrees provide.” 

The online survey of 1,056 Ontarians 18 or older was conducted June 21, 2021, by Innovative Research Group Inc. for Ontario’s colleges. Because it was an online survey, there is no calculation of the margin of error.