Media Studies (MS)

Overview

This program is designed for students who wish to concentrate in:

• Professional media practice
  • Media message design
  • Media campaigns
  • Media policy
  • Marketing communications and management

• Media studies
  • Media and politics
  • Media influence
  • Media ethics
  • Media literacy
  • Transnational media
  • Media representation

The expertise of our graduate faculty enables students to attain high levels of competency in message design and placement, theoretical application, and research design.

So students will be able to apply the degree to their professional and intellectual goals, this program stresses a foundation in:

• Mass communication theory
• Qualitative and quantitative research methods 
• Design, production and application of media messages

This core focus of the curriculum is pivotal for what practitioners in the field might need, as well as what doctoral program selection committees look for when evaluating students. The three core areas of curriculum concentration combine to foster:

• Critical thinking
• Analytical thinking
• Clear communication, both written and oral
• Knowledge of the discipline
• Application of the knowledge
• Use of best practices, ethics and values of the profession

Flexibility in course selection allows students to pursue options that are aligned with their learning and career goals.

Program Format

The program can be completed through a mix of traditional daytime, evening, weekend and online courses.

• Students typically begin courses in August at the beginning of the fall semester and can finish their program as early as the following fall 
• Admission to the program is open all year and applications are assessed for acceptance as they arrive

The program maintains an enrollment of 30 students, ensuring small class sizes, personalized program advising based on a student’s career goals, and the opportunity for close working relationships with graduate faculty.

What can I do with a degree in media studies?

Recent graduates from the program have applied their degree professionally in: 

• Journalism
• Advertising
• Public relations
• Sports marketing and public policy 

Graduates have also gone on to pursue law and doctoral degrees.

Faculty

View current Department of Mass Communications faculty