Media Industry and Critical Studies, MA

The master’s degree requires the completion of at least 30 hours of graduate course work. A student may also elect 6–12 hours in a minor area. In addition, students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.25 while in the program. Any student whose GPA drops below this level will be placed on probation for one semester. If at the end of the probationary semester the student’s GPA has not been raised to a 3.25 or better, the student will be subject to program dismissal.

Course requirements

The master’s degree has two pathways: media industry studies and critical/cultural studies. Both pathways have an optional thesis.

Critical/cultural studies pathway

Critical/cultural studies students must take:

Thesis option

Of the required minimum of 30 graduate hours, 6 hours must be thesis credit. The student must have departmental approval for this option. The student must complete and defend the thesis successfully.

Non-thesis option

The student must take the minimum of 30 graduate hours and successfully complete a comprehensive examination. Students are eligible to complete the exam once they have a degree plan approved and have completed 21 hours of graduate credit.

Media industry studies pathway

Media industry studies students must take 30 hours of graduate course work.

Thesis option

Of the required minimum of 30 graduate hours, 6 hours must be thesis credit. The student must have departmental approval for this option. The student must complete and defend the thesis successfully.

Non-thesis option

Students must complete 27 graduate hours of course work and one 3 hour capstone course. The capstone course may be an internship or a graduate course. The capstone will be chosen by the student in consultation with the department graduate advisor and one other faculty member and will depend on the academic needs of the individual student.