Requirements for the Master of Science
The University Graduate School Bulletin, which is republished annually, details your degree requirements.
The following degree requirements apply to all M.S. concentrations:
- A program of study listing all courses toward the degree, approved by the student’s committee.
- Complete a thesis, comprehensive exam OR capstone project.
- Thesis: Up to six credit hours of M699 Master's Thesis taken after an approved thesis proposal, including an oral defense administered by the student’s advisory committee
- Comprehensive exam: Written and oral, administered by the student's advisory committee
- Capstone project: Up to six credit hours of T540 taken after an approved project proposal, including an oral defense administered by the student’s advisory committee
- MSCH-T577 (independent project) may be taken for up to 12 hours, with approval of committee and director of graduate studies.
- No more than three hours of MSCH-J804 (independent study) may be counted toward the degree.
- All courses taken must be of the 500 level and above to count for credit toward graduate degrees.
Each concentration has its own additional requirements:
Complete the follow courses with a grade of B (3.0) or above:
- MSCH-J 501 Public Affairs Reporting
- MSCH-J 510 Media and Society Seminar
- INFO-I 505 Social Media Informatics
- DSCI-D 590 Data Science On-Ramp (Topics in Informatics)
- Up to six credits from approved boot camp courses may be counted toward degree
A minimum of 21 hours must be taken within The Media School and/or the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering.
Complete the following courses with a grade of B (3.0) or above:
- MSCH-T583 Introduction to Documentary Practice (three credits)
- MSCH-T584 Documentary Film Making (three credits)
- MSCH-T522 Managing the Creative Process (three credits)
- MSCH-T532 Media Law OR MSCH-C606* Media Criticism VT: Documentary Studies (three credits)
- 12 credit hours in the Production Practicum
*If MSCH-C606 is not offered, one of the documentary studies electives may be substituted with approval by the student's advisory committee.
A minimum of 21 hours must be taken within The Media School.
Complete the following courses with a grade of B (3.0) or above:
- MSCH-J501 Public Affairs Reporting (three credits)
- MSCH-J510 Media in Society (three credits)
- At least nine credit hours in the Arnolt Center Practicum
A minimum of 21 hours must be taken within The Media School.
Complete the following courses with a grade of B (3.0) or above:
- MSCH-T505 Media Organizations (three credits)
- At least two courses from this list:
- MSCH-T502: Introduction to Research Methods in Telecommunications (three credits)
- MSCH-T504: Introduction to Telecommunications Policy Studies (three credits)
- MSCH-T522: Managing the Creative Process (three credits)
- MSCH-T532: Media Law (three credits)
- MSCH-T571: Cognitive and Emotional Psychology (three credits)
- MSCH-T610: The Networked Society (three credits)
A minimum of 21 hours must be taken within The Media School.
Complete the following courses with a grade of B (3.0) or above:
- MSCH-J560 Principles of Strategic Communication (three credits)
- MSCH-T511 Research Methods in Audience Analysis (three credits)
A minimum of 21 hours must be taken within The Media School.
Critical steps for the M.S.
Processes and links to Media School, College and University Graduate School forms are included in the below sections.
- Working with the director of graduate studies, determine your concentration.
- Complete federal I-9 information, which will be emailed to you.
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Attend orientation.
- Orientation: Bring passport or other ID to the graduate office to complete federal I-9 filing.
- Check with graduate office to make sure we have a final, official copy of your undergraduate transcript.
- Sign, scan, and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Name a faculty advisor who will serve as the chair of your advisory committee. You should name a faculty advisor by February 15.
- Choose advisory committee and create program of study. Submit no later than April 15.
- Contact the graduate coordinator if you need to transfer credits.
- Enroll in courses noted for third semester on program of study.
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Defend your project proposal.
- Enroll in courses noted for fourth semester on program of study.
- Sign, scan and return SAA contract, if applicable.
- Submit your application for your oral thesis, exam or capstone defense at least 30 days before evaluation/defense. Your committee chair should submit the result of your exam or evaluation via this form.
- Initiate and submit your Master’s Application for Advanced Degree.
Questions?
Contact Leah Wolfe, graduate studies administrative associate.