Mar 28, 2024  
2011-12 Graduate Catalog 
    
2011-12 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Mass Communication, M.S.


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Robert Kalwinsky, Program Director
(615) 904-8366
Robert.Kalwinsky@mtsu.edu

The College of Mass Communication offers the Master of Science degree in Mass Communication. A graduate minor in Mass Communication is also offered.

The degree is designed for students seeking an advanced degree in mass media theory and methods of research. The degree is appropriate for students who may wish to become researchers or as a prerequisite for pursuing a doctoral degree. The degree is also relevant to media professionals in fields such as advertising, electronic media, journalism, public relations, publishing, or recording industries seeking to broaden their understanding of the field of mass communication and to develop research and management skills relevant to decision making in media-related organizations.

Please see undergraduate catalog for information regarding undergraduate programs.

Admission Requirements


Admission to the Master of Science in Mass Communication requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college;
  2. an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all coursework completed;
  3. acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)—a score of 291 (current scale) or 900 (former scale) combined on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE is usually required for admission to the degree program.

NOTE: Students may take up to 6 credit hours (two courses) before being admitted to the program. However, one of the courses MUST be  MC 6000  or MC 6010 . Enrollment in all other courses in the program requires permission of the graduate director.

Application Procedures


All application materials are to be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.

Applicant must

  1. submit application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php);
  2. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  3. submit 500-word essay;
  4. submit three letters of recommendation;
  5. submit acceptable GRE scores.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Mass Communication requires completion of a minimum of 36 hours.

Candidate must

  1. complete 36 hours (see Curriculum below for specifics).
  2. submit and defend either a written thesis or a professional project concentrating on an area of particular interest and to experience in-depth independent research (if admitted for or after Fall 2010 semester). The thesis results in the production of traditional academic research; the professional project results in the application of research knowledge to a professional production or other project.
  3. pass a written comprehensive examination.

Curriculum: Mass Communication


Candidate must complete 36 semester hours in the following course of study:

Required courses (18 hours)


Approved Electives (6 hours)


  • taken inside or outside the College of Mass Communication as benefits research orientation; no more than 3 credits may be taken at the 5000 level

Program Notes


Candidate must

  1. file a degree plan in the College of Graduate Studies prior to the completion of 21 credit hours;
  2. file a Notice of Intent to Graduate form in the College of Graduate Studies within the first two weeks of the term in which candidate intends to graduate.

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