Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Communication (Media Studies Concentration), Master of Arts

The Media Studies concentration is geared toward students with an interest in the scholarly study of mass media – including news, entertainment, infotainment, social media, and other mass media. This concentration provides students with theoretical and research foundations and is particularly suited for students interested in pursuing a doctoral degree, a career in higher education, or a career in consulting. Students will gain an advanced understanding of the role and impact of media through their study of areas such as Media Effects; Media Law and Ethics; Gender, Race, Class and the Media; Culture, Media and Technology; and Social Media.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Unconditional Admission

  1. Graduate with a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (degrees from institutions outside the U.S. are evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees).
  2. Possess a grade point average of at least 3.0 in undergraduate studies.
  3. Complete satisfactory preparation in the specific discipline or field of study.
  4. Attain a score of at least 213 on the TOEFL, if an international student.

Conditional Admission

Students who fail to satisfy the unconditional admission criteria may be admitted on a conditional basis. Under conditional admission, the student must have at least a 2.8 undergraduate grade point average or the undergraduate grade point average within the last thirty-hours (30) of course work must be at least 3.2. Students admitted in this category will be required to meet the unconditional admission criteria by maintaining at least a grade of "B" or better in each course in the first twelve hours of graduate work within the first year of enrollment. Failure to satisfy unconditional admission criteria within the stipulated time will result in the student being dropped from the program. Conditional admits are not eligible for financial aid.

Post- Baccalaureate and Non-Degree Seeking Applicant Policy

  1. Applicants are not eligible for financial aid.
  2. If admitted as a post- baccalaureate student, the student is required to earn a minimum of 3.5 in those hours they take while in the graduate program in order to be admitted into the program.
  3. If admitted with non-degree-seeking status, a student is allowed to take up to six (6) hours only.

Summary

Foundation Courses (9 hours)
COMM 533Theory & Process Of Comm3
COMM 534Introduction Graduate Research Communication3
or RTF 501 Master's Seminar in Mass Media Projects
RTF 510Visual Storytelling3
Prescribed Courses (9 hours)
COMM 526Introduction : Graduate Studies in Communication3
or RTF 501 Master's Seminar in Mass Media Projects
COMM 634Adv Comm Res Meth3
or JOUR 505 Art of Narrative
or COMM 546 Qualitative Methods in Comm
COMM 698Research Project3
or COMM 699 Master's Project Production
or COMM 665 Graduate Practicum
or COMM 658 Masters Comprehensive Exam
Concentration Courses (12 hours)
COMM 527Mass Communication Effects3
Select 9 hours from the following:9
COMM 530Media Law & Ethics3
Social Media Culture and Communication
Internet and Society
E-Health Communication
Health and Mass Media
Race Gender Class and the Media
Race and News
International Media Systems
Elective Courses (3 hours)
Select any School of Communication graduate course3
Total Hours36