Master of Science in Communication and Media - Media Studies and Practice

The Master of Science in Communication and Media is an advanced degree designed for media professionals and recent baccalaureate graduates who plan careers as media scholars and/or practitioners. The program emphasizes the application of technology and new media delivery systems in the evolving mass media environment.

Completion Requirements

1. Complete the degree in four calendar years from the date of a student’s initial registration or student may be held to any new degree requirements.
2. Maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA and achieve a C (2.0) grade or higher in each course.
3. Complete 36 graduate credits of foundation and specialization course work, including a creative project or thesis.*
   

* In the Media Studies and Practice specialization, COM 540 and COM 545 may be substituted for the creative project or thesis.

The curriculum seeks a balance of theory and practice by incorporating a substantive foundation of communication and media theory, research, law and history with multiple layers of practical application in content production and delivery.

The interdisciplinary nature of the degree permits students who have undergraduate degrees in a variety of majors to enter the program without penalty. Students without an undergraduate degree in a media-related discipline may be required to complete a limited number of lower-level courses.

The M.S. in Communication and Media is made up of 36 credit hours of academic courses and a creative project or thesis or COM 540 and 545. Eighteen (18) of the 36 credits are foundation courses and 18 credits are specialization courses. The creative project/thesis is determined and evaluated by the candidate’s graduate committee. M.S. graduate committees are composed of the candidate’s major professor and two members of the graduate faculty.

*The following courses may be substituted for COM 590 and COM 595:

COM 540 TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA I AND COM 545 TOPICS IN COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA II.

Creative Project/Thesis

Students have the option to complete a creative project, a thesis, or COM 540 and 545. If the creative project or thesis is chosen, the applicant must adhere to the guidelines established by the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn College of International Communication.

The creative project offers candidates the opportunity and the means to demonstrate the acquisition, mastery and integration of knowledge and skills in communication and media. Students are expected to select a creative project that fits professional and career objectives.

The thesis is an original work conducted with scholarly rigor. The work must demonstrate the mastery of research skills and be theoretically significant. Students who wish to pursue doctoral studies are encouraged to choose the thesis option.

Grading of the Creative Project/Thesis

All projects/theses must be completed within one year of the date of the accepted proposal. The creative project culminates in a public presentation and the thesis project in an oral defense. The creative project/thesis is graded on a pass/fail basis. In the event of a failing grade, students may resubmit their work within 90 days of the decision.

Students who fail to complete COM 595 – CREATIVE PROJECT/THESIS SEMINAR II in the term following completion of COM 590 – CREATIVE PROJECT/THESIS SEMINAR I must reenroll in COM 595 for one credit in subsequent terms.

Completion of the Creative Project/Thesis

Upon successful completion of the creative project/thesis, the student must submit two copies, one for the university library and one for the College of International Communication.