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: critical/cultural studies and media industry studies. Both pathways have an optional thesis.

Critical/cultural studies pathway:

Required courses:

The following courses are required for all critical/cultural studies students:

9 hours of track-specific courses:

Students must take at least 9 hours of track-specific courses (course offerings subject to change with approval from faculty advisor).

9 hours of graduate elective courses:

In addition, students must take at least 9 hours of graduate elective courses. These can include up to (but not required):

6 credit hours from graduate courses in other departments at UNT as approved by the faculty advisor
3 hours practicum OR 3 hours Internship
3 hours special problems

Capstone:

The Master of Arts degree offers the option of a written thesis or a comprehensive exam. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue the thesis option if they are interested in applying to Ph. D. programs.

Thesis option (6 hours of thesis enrollment):

Of the required minimum of 30 graduate hours, 6 hours must be thesis credit. The student must have departmental approval for this option, including the approval of a Media Arts graduate faculty thesis advisor. The student must successfully complete and orally defend a written thesis.

Comprehensive exam option (3 hours of special problems):

Of the required minimum of 30 graduate hours, 3 hours must be a special problems credit with the successful completion of a comprehensive examination. The student must have departmental approval for this option, including the approval of a Media Arts graduate faculty examination advisor. 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:

Required courses:

The following courses are required for all Media Industry Studies students:

9 hours of track-specific courses:

Students must take at least 9 hours of track-specific courses (course offerings subject to change with approval from faculty advisor).

9 hours of graduate elective courses:

In addition, students must take at least 9 hours of graduate elective courses. These can include up to (but not required):

6 credit hours from graduate courses in other departments at UNT as approved by the faculty advisor
3 hours practicum OR 3 hours internship
3 hours special problems

Capstone:

Capstone: The Master of Arts degree offers the option of a written thesis or a comprehensive exam. Students are strongly encouraged to pursue the thesis option if they are interested in applying to Ph. D. programs.

Thesis option (6 hours of thesis enrollment):

Comprehensive exam option (3 hours of special problems):

Of the required minimum of 30 graduate hours, 3 hours must be special problems credit with the successful completion of a comprehensive examination. The student must have departmental approval for this option, including the approval of a Media Arts graduate faculty examination advisor. Students are eligible to complete the exam once they have a degree plan approved and have completed 21 hours of graduate course work.