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Graduate Programs

The college includes graduate programs in each of the four schools as well as housing the interdisciplinary M.A. program in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management and the Ph.D. program in Communication and Information.

Master's Degree Programs


Master’s degree programs are available in each of the following disciplines:

  • Communication Studies (M.A.)
  • Information Architecture and Knowledge Management (M.S.)
  • Journalism and Mass Communication (M.A.)
  • Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.)
  • Visual Communication Design (M.A., M.F.A.)


Information regarding individual graduate programs is provided on subsequent pages. Prospective students may obtain more information by visiting http://www.kent.edu/cci or by contacting the individual schools.

Application for admission is made to the College of Communication and Information. General admission requirements are listed earlier in this catalog. There also may be additional requirements for certain programs; please consult individual school sections in this catalog.


Doctor of Philosophy


The Doctor of Philosophy Degree is offered in the College of Communication and Information and is interdisciplonary in nature.


Communication Studies

The School of Communication Studies offers programs of graduate study leading to the Master of Arts degree.The M.A. degree program is intended to provide a broadspectrum of knowledge about human communication. It is intended for those who wish to continue graduate studyin communication beyond the master's level, to teach atthe secondary, community college or small-college level, to continue preparation for professional careers, or to prepare for nonacademic careers in which a broad understanding ofcommunication theory and research is desirable.

The M.A. program focuses on the social and behavioral study of communication theory and research. Students maypursue work in health, instructional, interpersonal, mediated,organizational, mass and public communication, and new technologies/social informatics.For more information, visit the school's Web site at http://www.kent.edu/comm.

For additional studies beyond the M.A. degree, refer to theCCI PhD program description.

Information Architecture and Knowledge Management

The Master of Science degree in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management (IAKM) is an interdisciplinary degree that provides opportunities for students interested in graduate studies and research in the broad range of information-related disciplines and professions. The program rests on a set of core courses that provide a broad and solid foundation for specialized work in these three concentrations:

  • Health Information Management
  • Knowledge Management
  • User Experience Design

Through these concentrations the program offers focus and flexibility for students to fashion a course of study that suits their interests and career objectives. This flexibility is essential to the nature of the program because of the transdisciplinary character of information, the emerging and evolving roles for information professionals, and the rapid and dynamic growth of information technologies, products, systems, services and networks. The major faculties contributing to the degree are the:

  • School of Communication Studies
  • Department of Computer Science
  • School of Journalism and Mass Communication
  • School of Library and Information Science
  • Graduate School of Management
  • School of Visual Communication Design

While information architecture and knowledge management have emerged as fields of study and career concentrations, their use in the degree title is intended to designate significant points on a spectrum of current and emerging information and knowledge professions and to draw upon and balance the strengths of the participating disciplines.

As a new career path surfaces, IAKM works to develop curriculum to meet its demands. The current options for study in IAKM reflect the current needs in the professional landscape with concentrations in Health Information Management (HIM), Knowledge Management (KM), and User Experience Design (UXD). Health information management sets standards for electronic health records, facilitates the rapid evolution from paper-based to electronic records and the integration of hospital, patient, and physician systems. Knowledge management is a discipline that turns an organization’s intellectual assets, including its recorded information, its memory, and the expertise of its employees into greater productivity and increased competitiveness. User Experience
Design involves the use of information architecture and interaction design to create a user experience that helps information seekers solve their information needs efficiently and effectively, primarily in web-based environments, but also through emerging technologies. For more detailed information on health information management, knowledge management, and user experience design in IAKM, visit the Web site at http://iakm.kent.edu.

Journalism and Mass Communication

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers professionally oriented graduate study in Journalism and Mass Communication and public relations leading to the Master of Arts degree. This program prepares students for careers in a multi-platform media marketplace characterized by free enterprise and freedom of expression.

The Reporting/Editing concentration allows students to select from these options:

  • Convergence
  • Journalism Education
  • Broadcast
  • Magazine
  • Newspaper

The public relations and media management concentrations are designed primarily for students with professional media experience who desire to move into PR or management positions. For those with strong professional backgrounds, an individualized program of study is also available. The degree program is designed to provide professional preparation and enhancement both for students who have undergraduate degrees and/or professional experience in journalism and mass communication and those without
such background and experience. While the emphasis of the program is professional, students who wish to structure their M.A. program to provide a foundation for future study of journalism and mass communication at the doctoral level may do so by completing a thesis as the capstone requirement.

Information on the program and on application procedures is available from the Coordinator of Graduate Studies, School of Journalism and Mass Communication or by visiting the School’s Web site at http://www.jmc.kent.edu.


Multiple Degrees Option
Students can concurrently pursue the Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication and the Master of Science in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management. Each program makes an independent admission decision. If approved for admission by both the program and the school, students may doubly count up to 28 credits for each degree. For further information about the master’s program in Information Architecture and Knowledge Management, see the Information Architecture and Knowledge Management section of the catalog.

Library and Information Science


The school offers a graduate program, accredited by the American Library Association, which leads to a Master of Library and Information Science (M.L.I.S.) degree. An American Library Association-accredited master’s degree is the basic requirement for professional employment in most libraries and information centers.

The School of Library and Information Science (S.L.I.S) prepares students for positions of leadership in librarianship and the information professions. The master’s and advanced certificate programs emphasize the preparation of students for professional service in academic, public, special and school libraries and other types of information agencies.

For more information about the School of Library and Information Science, prospective students may request an information packet by contacting the School of Library and nformation Science or by visiting the school’s web site at http://www.slis.kent.edu.


Admission

Prospective students should complete the application process no later than September 15 for Spring admission, January 15 for summer admission and March 15 for the fall semester. For further details on admission procedures and deadlines, prospective students should consult the school’s web site at

http://www.slis.kent.edu.

Visual Communicaiton Design

The School of Visual Communication Design offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts degrees. The programs are 32 semester hours and 60 semester hours respectively. The School of Visual Communication Design is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Art and Design.

Admission

Review of applications will begin February 15. Special consideration will be given to applicants who successfully submit all application materials by March 1.

Advising
After a person is admitted to the program and notifies the graduate coordinator of his or her intention to enroll, a graduate advisor is assigned to help plan a course of study and to familiarize the student with the procedures of the school. To help in the planning of the student’s program of study, the newly admitted student should share examples of his or her work with the graduate advisor.