Dec 07, 2024  
2022-23 Graduate Catalog 
    
2022-23 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Media and Communication, M.S.


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Jason Reineke, Program Director
(615) 494-7746
Jason.Reineke@mtsu.edu

The School of Journalism and Strategic Media offers the Master of Science degree in Media and 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 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 Media and Communication requires

  1. an earned bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college; and
  2. an acceptable grade point average (GPA) in all coursework completed.

NOTE: Students may take up to 6 hours (two courses) before being admitted to the program but must do so as non-degree seeking students. Enrollment in these courses requires the permission of the graduate director.

Application Procedures


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

Applicant must

  1. submit an application with the appropriate application fee (online at www.mtsu.edu/graduate/apply.php). Once this initial application has been accepted, the applicant will receive directions on how to enter the graduate portal to be able to submit other materials.
  2. submit official transcripts of all previous college work;
  3. submit a 500-word essay;
  4. submit three letters of recommendation.

Degree Requirements


The Master of Science in Media and Communication requires completion of 33-39 (thesis) or 33 (non-thesis) semester hours.

Candidate must

  1. complete either the thesis or non-thesis curriculum as detailed below in the Curriculum section;
  2. submit and defend either a written thesis or a professional project concentrating on an area of particular interest by exhibiting in-depth independent research. 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.

Curriculum: Media and Communication


The following illustrates the minimum coursework requirements. In addition, a maximum of 12 hours of thesis research may be required to fulfill degree requirements for the thesis option.

Thesis Option (33-39 hours)


Approved Electives (6 hours)


  • taken inside or outside the College of Media and Entertainment as benefits research orientation; no more than 6 credits may be taken at the 5000 level.

Thesis (6-12 hours)


Non-Thesis (33 hours)


Approved Electives (6 hours)


  • taken inside or outside the College of Media and Entertainment as benefits research orientation; no more than 6 credits may be taken at the 5000 level

Professional Project (6 hours)


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