1. What is the NWA seal? This is a seal offered by the National Weather Association. This seal represents that the TV weather personality is competent at both basic meteorology knowledge and on-air performance. 2. When should I apply for NWA seal? Once you have completed or have sufficient knowledge in the courses (Introduction to Meteorology, Radar meteorology, Satellite Meteorology, Severe Weather, and Climatology) along with having 2-years full time TV weather experience. 3. Does the NWA seal deem one a meteorologist by the meteorological community? The NWA seal by itself does not classify one as a meteorologist. The NWA seal is a "weathercasters" seal and is thus named so. 4. Why should I get the NWA seal? It is often viewed as showing competency in on-air performance combined with basic meteorology knowledge (above those without any seals). It is something to add to the resume' for job promotion and for job searching. 5. Where can I get information from the NWA about their seal? http://www.nwas.org/seal.html 6. What do I do to get the NWA seal? a. become NWA member, b. pass a test with a grade of 80% or higher covering subjects given in question 2, c. submit performances of your on-air work. This is covered in website given in question 5. 7. What is the AMS seal? This is a seal offered by the American Meteorological Society that will be discontinued at the end of 2008. This seal represents that the TV weather personality is competent with on-air performance and has completed sufficient coursework in meteorology. 8. When can I apply for AMS seal? Depends on your educational background. Refer to cases below: a. I have a meteorology or atmospheric science degree- You are ready once you gain TV weather employment and you feel you are able to deliver a quality weathercast. b. I have a science degree but not in meteorology or atmospheric science- Course work in meteorology is required. Refer to webpage (see Article III Section 4 (B)) at end of this FAQ for course information. After gaining the courses, you are ready once you gain TV weather employment and you feel you are able to deliver a quality weathercast. c. I have completed the 3-year off-campus Mississippi State BMP program but I have no science degree- You are eligible once you have 3-years full time experience in weather within the last 5 years (or equivalent) and you are working in TV weather. d. I just want to take the specific courses required by AMS and I have no science degree and I am not in 3-year off-campus Mississippi State BMP program- See webpage below and go to Article III Section 4 (C) for educational requirements. 3-years full time experience in weather within the last 5 years (or equivalent) and currently working in TV weather is also required. http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/amscert/sealreq.html 9. Does the AMS seal deem one a meteorologist by the meteorological community? Yes. This is true even for those without a science degree but have taken the required courses by the AMS and have 3-years full-time weather experience. 10. Why should I get the AMS seal? It is important to attain when employment is sought in high market stations. It is something to add to the resume' for job promotion and for job searching. Many TV weather jobs highly desire the AMS seal. AMS seal shows you are rising high in your profession. 11. Where can I get information from the AMS about their seal? http://www.ametsoc.org/AMS/amscert/ 12. Which MSU BMP courses does the AMS as core meteorology courses accept? To be eligible to apply for seal, 4 of 5 core classes are needed for those who become an AMS member under Article III Section 4 (C). The core courses the Mississippi State BMP offers are Synoptic 1, Water Resources, Thermodynamics, Physical Meteorology and Oceanography. Since the AMS requires 20 credit hours in meteorology, 3 other 3 credit hour meteorology courses need to be taken (such as Intro. Meteorology, Severe Wx, Synoptic 2, Satellite / Radar Meteorology, etc.). The MSU BMP program does NOT allow students to pick and choose courses to take. Courses must be taken in sequence, thus a student must completed the entire 3-year 17-course BMP program to be able to finish all the AMS core courses. The BMP course sequence is given below: http://www.msstate.edu/dept/geosciences/CT/BMP/Descriptions.html 13. Can I still display my AMS seal after 2008? Yes, the AMS will let those that have the AMS seal to keep it as long as they are in good standing with the AMS. Although no new AMS seals will be awarded after 2008 they will still recognize those that have them. 14. What is the CBM? CBM stands for Certified Broadcast Meteorologist. The CBM is a program instituted by the AMS. It is not called a seal but rather it is a certification that the weather broadcaster has a calculus based meteorology degree and is a very competent weather broadcaster. Note: There is a loophole that if a person earned the AMS seal before 2005 they can convert that to the CBM without the calculus based meteorology degree if they do it before the end of 2008. 15. How can I get the CBM? The CBM requires a calculus based meteorology degree. The CBM also requires the passing of a meteorology test and the passing of a weathercast tape evaluation. 16. What is the difference between the AMS seal and the CBM? The AMS is in transition of replacing the AMS seal with the CBM. After 2008, no new AMS seals will be awarded. At this point only the CBM will be available from the AMS. The requirements to get the CBM are much higher than the AMS seal. The CBM requires the passing of a meteorology test and the applicant must have a calculus based meteorology degree. |