Mar 29, 2024  
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2019-20 
    
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2019-20 [Archived Catalog]

Media Arts and Studies - MA


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Degree Title and Name:  Master of Arts in Media Arts and Studies

Program Name and Number:  Media Arts and Studies – MA5315

Department/Unit:  School of Media Arts and Studies

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall

Program Overview:  The M.A. in Media Arts and Studies is designed for students seeking expertise in media fields beyond the undergraduate level. Students typically tailor-make programs in various specialties (e.g. media studies, international media, social media, media industries and management, media for social change, public media, communication and development).

The public media program is jointly administered by the School of Media Arts and Studies and the WOUB Public Media, and has trained over 130 public media professionals to return to a career with new skills.

The Communication and Development Studies program is jointly administered by the Center for International Studies and the School of Media Arts and Studies. With a focus on communication strategies and implementation for positive social change, the program is unique in its approach to the study of international development. CIS administers the application process; see separate entry in this catalog.

Opportunities for Graduates:  The program prepares students for careers in media industries, including as audience researchers, producers and program executives, sales and marketing professionals; for work in media policy sector; or for doctoral study.

Link to Program:  http://mediaschool.ohio.edu/masters

Graduation Requirements:

  • Minimum semester hours required: 36.
  • Expected time to degree if studying full time: 12 months (fall, spring and summer semesters).

COMPREHENSIVE EXAM OPTION
Fall Semester (13-17 credit hours total)

  1. MDIA 6000 - Introduction to Graduate Study (1 credit hour)
  2. MDIA 6010 - Introduction to Mass Communication Research
  3. plus 8-12 additional credit hours (two to three additional courses) from a student’s area of specialization and/or appropriate courses outside the School

Spring Semester (12-16 credit hours total)

Course work in a student’s area of specialization and outside the School as approved by their committee

Summer Semester (9-12 credit hours total)

  1. Courses as needed to fulfill any remaining requirements in student’s area of specialization (minimum of 24 credit hours required) or outside area (minimum of two courses required).
  2. Completion of the comprehensive exam

THESIS OPTION
Fall Semester

  1. MDIA 6000 - Introduction to Graduate Study
  2. MDIA 6010 - Introduction to Mass Communication Research
  3. MDIA 7700 - Mass Communication Theory*
  4. 3-8 additional credit hours (one to two additional courses) from a student’s area of specialization and/or outside the School

Spring Semester

  1. MDIA 6020 - Quantitative Research Methods; OR MDIA 6030, Qualitative Research Methods
  2. MDIA 7720 - Critical-Cultural Theory*
  3. plus 7-12 additional credit hours (two to three additional courses) from a student’s area of specialization and/or outside the School

*Thesis option requires one Theory course (either MDIA 7700 or MDIA 7720) and one Methods course (either MDIA 6020 or MDIA 6030)

Summer Semester 

  1. MDIA 6950 - Thesis (4-9 credit hours)
  2. Courses as needed to fulfill any remaining requirements in student’s area of specialization (minimum of 12 credit hours required) or outside area (minimum of two courses required).  

Master’s Advisory Committee

During the first semester of study, master’s students select a faculty member from the School of Media Arts and Studies to serve as their advisor and chairperson of their Program committee. The committee includes a minimum of two other members, one of whom must be a MDIA faculty member with the appropriate credentials and expertise to fit the student’s interest and serve on a graduate committee. The chair assists in laying out program goals and the selection of courses in the program of study. The committee must approve the student’s program of study; and will also provide the questions and evaluate the comprehensive examination or approve the thesis proposal, conduct the defense of the thesis, and approve the final draft.

Culminating Experience:  6-hour comprehensive exam or Thesis (4-9 credit hours)

Admission Requirements:

  • Bachelor’s degree with GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Three letters of recommendation with at least one from an individual who has mentored or taught the applicant.
  • Personal statement of purpose

Please note that applications for the M.A. in Communication and Development Studies must apply to MA4218.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

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