American Psychological Association Media Psychology Division to Give Life Achievement Award to Bernard Luskin

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif., July 11, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Bernard Luskin will receive APA Media Psychology Division life achievement recognition for contributions to Media Psychology at a convention reception in Washington, D.C., on August 5, 2011," announced Dr. David Shapiro, Chair of the Awards Committee and former Division President.

"Bernie Luskin has been active in Media Psychology for most of his professional career," said Rachel Bishar, the first Ph.D. recipient from the first university doctoral program in Media Psychology. In 2002, we launched this first university Ph.D. program enrolling what we called, "The Magnificent Seven," i.e., the seven beginning MA, Ph.D. Students who pioneered this important unique new graduate program in Media Psychology," said Bishar.

"The master's degree, EdD and Ph.D. programs we began at Fielding were triggered by the 1998 APA Media Psychology Division Task Force report entitled Psychology and New Technologies, chaired by Lilli Friedland and me. The findings identified emerging professional areas of work where media psychology is emerging," Luskin explained.

"This spring we will have the first graduates from the new Touro University Worldwide MA degree program in Media and Communications Psychology and, with Bernie's leadership, will start an EdD program with a concentration in Media Psychology by summer 2012," said Dr. Michael Hamlin, TUW Director of Academic Affairs.

"Bernie Luskin has been developing the application of psychology to media and technology all of his professional life. We worked extensively together in the mid-eighties when Bernie was CEO of Philips Interactive Media. We developed interactive compact disc, producing titles in art, reference works, games and movies. Our programs included the first Sesame Street interactive CD, the first Compton's and Grolier's Encyclopedia on CD plus such interactive movies as "Voyeur" starring Robert Culp," said Dr. Jean Pierre Isbouts, Professor of Media Psychology.

Throughout his career, Bernie Luskin has served as president of Mind Extension University, a leading cable network dedicated to education, founding Chancellor of Jones International University and founding President of Coastline Community College, where he was central in the establishment of KOCE-TV. He worked nationally in helping to establish the PBS Adult Learning Service as a pioneer in telecommunications in education, distance education, online learning, and interactive media.

"These innovative programs paved the way for programming today. In fact, the work in applying behavior to interactive compact disc led to interactive disc, DVD and movies now digitally accessible in many ways," said Eric Doctorow, EVP and home video chief at Miramax Films.

"My interest in psychology and technology began in the 1960s while I was teaching using computer assisted instruction at Orange Coast College and completing a doctorate in Education and Technology at UCLA," explained Luskin.

"I am flattered and pleased to be acknowledged and look forward to continuing to work in developing media psychology," he said.

For enrollment information regarding an MA or EdD degree program in Media and Communications Psychology, please contact: Alyssa.Mark@TouroW.edu, or call: (818) 575-6800

Touro University Worldwide (TUW)

Touro University Worldwide is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) and presently offers online Masters' Degrees in Business (MBA), Organizational and Leadership Psychology, Media and Communications Psychology, and Marriage and Family Therapy. For program and enrollment information, visit: www.TouroW.edu.

About the Touro College and University System

Touro is a system of non-profit institutions of higher and professional education. Touro College was chartered in 1970 primarily to enrich the Jewish heritage, and to serve the larger American community. Approximately 19,000 students are currently enrolled in its various schools and divisions. Touro College has branch campuses, locations and instructional sites in the New York area, as well as branch campuses and programs in Berlin, Jerusalem, Moscow, Paris, and Florida. Touro University California and its Nevada branch campus, as well as Touro College Los Angeles, are separately accredited institutions within the Touro College and University System. For further information on Touro College, please go to: http://www.touro.edu/media/.

SOURCE Touro University Worldwide