Students begin their studies in the fall semester (starting in late August), and must complete 36 credits of coursework emphasizing mass communication theory and research.
Program Requirements - 36 Credits - M.A.
Requisite: Three credits of graduate or undergraduate coursework in media skills. Substantial professional experience sometimes may be substituted by petition.
Required courses (12 credits)
COM 605 Research Methods
COM 755 Communications Theory
COM 601 Thesis Design
COM 701 Proseminar for Graduate Study
COM 997 Master's Thesis
Research (choose one; 3 credits)
COM 637 Historical Methods in Mass Media
COM 806 Advanced Survey Research Methods
COM 807 Content Analysis Research Methods
TRF 696 Television Research
ADV 509 Advertising Research
Media Law (choose one; 3 credits)
COM 698 Media Law
TRF 637 Telecommunications Law and Policy
Perspectives in Communication (choose two; 6 credits)
ADV 645 Economics, Persuasion, and the Global Marketplace
COM 600 Selected Topics (may be repeated with different topic)
COM 688 Origins of Contemporary Media Issues
COM 788 Theories of Media Content
NEW 608 Principles of Journalism
TRF 683 Communications Industry Frontiers
TRF 636 Critical and Historical Perspectives on Television, Radio, and Film
TRF 698 Social Effects of Television
Graduate Level Professional Skills Course (choose one; 3 credits)
To be approved by Director of Media Studies
Electives (choose three; 9 credits)
Courses will be selected in consultation with the student's advisor. Courses may include those offered in Newhouse or elsewhere in the University.
Fall Semester
COM 605 - Research Methods
COM 701 - Proseminar for Graduate Study
COM 755 - Communications Theory
Two additional courses
Spring Semester
Four additional courses
Summer Session and/or Fall Semester
COM 601 - Thesis Design
Two additional courses
Thesis
This curriculum was updated 3/05 and is subject to change.
For further information and course descriptions, please link to a PDF version of the University's Graduate Course Catalog.