Degree Requirement Discussions

[KirkDarling]

This sticky is a continuing collection of posts copied from various threads identifying and discussing the specifics of attaining PPA degrees and awards.

[EdWilson]

My wife and I are members of the affiliate AZPPA (Arizona). The AZ affiliate has twice a year formal print judging events where entrants can get a "merit" from the the judges. Last time, about 10 of the 100 or so entries "merited". My question is "what are these merits worth?"
Do they apply towards a degree? are they local only? Do they apply to national PPA degrees?

[Keith_A_Howe]

No, they are state merits and do not apply to the PPA degrees. I assume AZ has some kind of state degree program that maybe those state merits would apply to.
Keith

[GregYager]

I assume AZ has some kind of state degree program that maybe those state merits would apply to.
Keith

I had no idea that there was such an animal.

[Rick_Massarini]

Many, if not most, of the State associations have their own internal recognition programs for their members that is sometimes similar to the national association's program. The programs provide a means for recognition of those who participate and give back to their profession on a state level. State merits earned within your state would be applicable towards your own state's degrees.

We have just revamped our state Fellowship and Merit program to create two new state degrees - a "PPLA Service Degree" which is similar to the PPA Craftsman's degree, and the "PPLA Imaging Artistry Degree" which is similar to the PPA Masters degree. The Service degree rewards members who provide service to the association and the profession. The Imaging Artistry degree rewards those who have excelled in imaging competitions. Our association's program, in certain cases, recognizes contributions done on the national level that is deemed beneficial to our state association. State Merits earned within our state program do not apply to PPA national degrees since they are issued by PPLA and not by PPA. Once you earn both the Service and Artist degrees, you gain the classification of PPLA Associate Fellow. To earn the PPLA Full Fellowship, you must earn twice as many Service and Artistry merits as it took to earn the two initial degrees.

State print merits earned at your state or local association competitions will not apply towards PPA degrees, these can only be earned at the PPA International Competition. You can receive a "seal of approval" at a PPA affililated District judging which will automatically become a merit when the image is submitted to the PPA International Competition.

Your state or local PPA affiliate can also give a specified number of PPA merits each year for Speakers who present educational programs at state conventions or local monthly or quarterly meetings. The number of PPA merits available to the state or local affiliates depends on the number of members in the association and the percentage of those members who are PPA members.

[RBrogen]

Not sure I put this in the right place but here's a link if it should have been in here

http://www.ppa.com/community/forums/...ad.php?t=21743

[LANEPHOTOGRAPHY]

how do you submit a pic

[Keith_A_Howe]

Are you asking about submitting images to print competition? Or how to post photos on this forum?

Keith

[Tamgerine]

So I'm confused. How do you get your merit on record? If I did say a community event for photography, how would I submit that for a merit? Or if I got an award in a national competition? I can't find anywhere on the website how you GET a merit.

[Michael_Gan]

Here is the link to the information you want: http://www.ppa.com/education-events/...ing-merits.php