What makes a good IxD program?

I’ve grabbed this from a list that I ‘lurk’ on. I read it voraciously, but rarely post my own comments.

This caught my attention as I find my focus here in thesisland…

<snip>The question is pretty simple, “What makes a good IxD program?”

There was a thread on the AIGA-ED list about programs as well and many
pointed to the same schools that we listed here. I’m not so sure I’d
agree in both cases that an ED program is the same as an IxD program.

But here goes …
1) I do think that IxD is a graduate level program,for people who have
business experience, or who have done undergraduate work in interactive
design or other design disciplines. I would characterize an IxD program
as vocational in nature, though I could see an IxD PhD level program at
the very edges for those who really want to go out there. But b/c IxD is
a discipline of “practice” first and foremost a Masters program should
be centered around practice and prepare designers for a leadership role
in designing interactive systems. [that was the first sleeve of my fire
retardant suit]