NSF/AMS Guideline adopted on 28 September 1990 by the Council of the American Meteorological Society:
"There are some cases where an individual has not obtained a B.S. or higher degree in meteorology, but has met the educational requirements set forth in the American Meteorological Society's Interpretive Memorandum effective June 1990, Article III, Section 4 (C), and has at least three years professional experience in meteorology. Such an individual also can be referred to as a meteorologist."
The criteria in the "Interpretive Memorandum" are minimal: only 20 credits of atmospheric/oceanic sciences are required, and three years of the professional practice of meteorology within the past 5 years.
So, can a MS State person call him or herself a meteorologist? With 3 years of professional experience, probably. Will he or she be respected by those who have spent 4+ years studying meteorology *and* becoming proficient in the related subjects (calculus, diff eq's, prob & stats, physics, dynamics, etc.)? Probably not. I think the consensus view of MS State grads by those who have traditional degrees is that the MS folks are "cheaters" who have only been briefly acquainted with the science -- but desire to be recognized as a traditional meteorologist anyways. The public can't tell the difference, so why not?
Now, having said all that, let me add that I *have* met ONE MS State grad who was actually worth his 10 cents as a forecaster and as a scientist. However, I've also met more than one who were ignorant, at best.
This is a really touchy subject -- maybe the AMS will address MS State's practices specifically sometime?
Take note that the off-campus broadcast meteorology certificate program offered by MS State is super watered down compared to traditional meteorology programs... no dynamics classes required!
From: Name withheld by request.....
To The Weathercaster 2/13/98