Master of Science in Communication and Media Technologies

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 advanced interdisciplinary program combining liberal arts courses in communication with course work in an applied or professional program. Students will become 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.

Students are prepared to pursue careers as communication experts in commerce, industry, education, entertainment, and government, as well as for graduate work toward a doctoral degree.

Plan of study

The degree requires the completion of 36 credit hours of graduate course work. The program consists of five required courses, three communication electives, three applied professional or technical courses, and either a thesis, project or a comprehensive exam.

Graduate committee

Full-time students create a graduate advisement committee by the end of their first semester of study. The committee is 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 project appropriate to their course of study and their career goals.

Thesis/Project

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

Comprehensive examinations

Comprehensive examinations may be taken in lieu of a thesis or project. Students are eligible to take these examinations after all course work has been completed. The graduate committee chooses the exam committee members from two areas: theory and methods. The student selects a specialty area within the communication elective courses with the consent of the faculty member who taught the course, and that faculty member will administer and grade the exam question(s). Specialization areas include the following: electronic, visual, international, strategic, and education. Exams take place at two times: intersession and in June. If students fail any portion of the exam, they receive one opportunity for a rewrite.

Industries

• Internet and Software
• Health Care
• Food and Beverage
• Non-Profit
• Transportation and Logistics
• Higher Education

Typical Job Titles

• Marketing Specialist
• Marketing Manager
• Communications Coordinator
• Digital Marketing Specialist
• Account Coordinator
• Customer Sales Director
• Communication Assistant
• Marketing Analyst
• Digital Marketing and Communications Analyst
• Technical Writer

Curriculum

Communication and Media Technologies, MS degree, typical course sequence

• COMM-700 Survey of Media Technologies
• COMM-702 Communication Theories
• COMM-703 Research Methods in Communication
• COMM-704 Media Law and Ethics
• COMM-720 Thesis Preparation Seminar
• Communication Electives
• Professional Core

Choose one of the following:

• COMM-800 Communication Thesis/Project
• COMM-801 Comprehensive Exam, plus two additional courses*

*Courses may be professional core courses, communication electives, or a combination of both.

Admission Requirements

following requirements:

• Complete a graduate application,
• Hold a baccalaureate degree from 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 either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum scores of 570 (paper-based) or 88-89 (Internet-based) are required on the TOEFL. A minimum score of 6.5 is required on the IELTS. This requirement may be waived for students who submit undergraduate transcripts from American colleges and universities.