Media, Technology, and Democracy (MA)

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Offered by the School of Communication , the Media, Technology, and Democracy (MA) offers background and training in communication policy and technology for democratic societies, for students who want to become communications specialists in government and nonprofits, become policy experts, or who wish to continue to a PhD.

Admission to the Program

Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study. Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework.

International students whose first language is not English should take the TOEFL or ILETS examination to demonstrate proficiency in English. Official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a 1,000-word essay on the applicant’s commitment to pursuing graduate study in the program are submitted with the application.

If available, samples of relevant work, especially written analytic work, should be submitted. A limited number of graduate assistantships are awarded on the basis of merit as well as school and program needs.

Admission to the program is for the fall semester. Students are generally expected to complete the program in 12 months, although a two-year part-time option also exists.

Qualified undergraduate students may apply to a combined bachelor’s/master’s program and use up to 6 credit hours of 500-level courses or select 600-level cross listed courses to satisfy the requirements of both degrees.

Degree Requirements

30 credit hours of approved graduate work
Capstone Experience: COMM-797 Master’s Thesis Research (1-6) with grade of SP and completion of thesis
Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA maintained during all graduate work toward degree

Course Requirements

Core (18 credit hours)

Electives (9 credit hours)

Complete 9 credit hours from the following, or other courses approved by program director:

Capstone (3 credit hours)

Complete 3 credit hours from COMM-797 with completion of thesis:

COMM-797 Master’s Thesis Research (1-6)