Program overview

Communication and the technologies for message creation and dissemination are at the center of dramatic economic, social, and cultural changes occurring as a result of technological development and global connectedness. The master of science degree in communication and media technologies is an interdisciplinary advanced program of study combining liberal arts courses in communication with course work in an applied or professional program. Graduates will be adept at the analysis of communication problems, the development of solutions, and the creation of messages as a result of their combined training in the social sciences, humanities, and applied technologies.

Communication courses rooted in the humanities and social sciences provide students with the opportunity to gain a broad, historical understanding of issues in communication, including the ethical, legal, and social dimensions. Additional courses give students advanced guidance in the creation of written and visual message content. Courses in applied technologies or professional programs provide opportunities for implementation and application. The required thesis combines knowledge, practice, original research, and application under the guidance of a graduate advisement committee.

Graduates are prepared for careers as communication experts in such venues as commerce, industry, education, entertainment, and government, as well as for graduate work toward a doctoral degree.

Curriculum

The degree requires the completion of a minimum of 45 quarter credit hours of graduate course work.

Communication electives

Students are required to select three communication electives from the choices below; a fourth elective is optional. History of Media Technologies (0535-701) and Communication Theory (0535-702) are prerequisites for all communication electives.

Applied professional or technical courses

Students are required to select three applied professional or technical courses from the choices below; a fourth applied or technical course is optional.

Graduate committee

A full-time student will create a graduate advisement committee by the end of the first semester of study. The committee will be comprised of at least one faculty member from the department of communication and one faculty member from outside the department. The outside member should have a terminal degree. The committee advises and guides the student's elective course selection and course sequencing. With the guidance and approval of the graduate advising committee, students design and conduct a thesis or thesis/project appropriate to their course of study and their career goals.

Master's thesis/project

A thesis or thesis/project is required of all students in the program. The topic should complement the student's academic graduate interests and scholarly training. Topic selection and method(s) for implementing the thesis/project occur in consultation with the student's graduate advisement committee.

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission to the MS program in communication and media technologies, candidates must fulfill the following requirements:

• Hold a baccalaureate degree at an accredited college or university,
• Submit official transcripts (in English) of all previously completed undergraduate and graduate course work,
• Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0,
• Submit three letters of reference from academic advisers, major professors, and/or supervisors or managers,
• Submit a writing portfolio consisting of at least three writing samples, such as academic papers written for class, work-related brochures and pamphlets, or newspaper or magazine articles, and
• Complete a graduate application.
• International applicants whose native language is not English must submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Minimum scores of 600 (paper-based) or 100 (Internet-based) are required. This requirement may be waived for students who submit undergraduate transcripts from American colleges and universities.