Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework including a six-hour thesis. The thesis is designed to demonstrate that the student is capable of conducting independent research under the supervision of a faculty committee.
Fifteen hours must be earned in graduate-level journalism and mass communication core courses. With the approval of the faculty advisor, the M.A. student may take a minimum of nine semester hours of coursework outside the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.
To earn the M.A. degree, you must complete the following:
The M.A. core (21 hours)
- Research Methods in Mass Communication
- Communication Theory
- Media Law
- History of Mass Media
- Literature of Mass Communication
- Thesis Preparation (6 hours)
Approved graduate-level electives (9 hours)
A comprehensive examination (a five-hour written test based on the M.A. core courses).
An oral examination in defense of the thesis.