Kent State University Catalog 2010 - 2011

Journalism and Mass Communication - M.A.

COLLEGE:	College of Communication and Information
DEPARTMENT:	School of Journalism and Mass Communication 204 Franklin Hall Tel: 330-672-2572 \| Fax: 330-672-4064 E-mail: jmc@kent.edu Web: www.jmc.kent.edu

DESCRIPTION:	The Master of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communication consists of seven concentrations: Media Management, Public Relations, Reporting–Editing: Journalism Educators, Broadcasting, Magazine, Newspaper, Convergence. Media Management provides a stimulating and challenging environment in which students can learn the principles of effective management from professors who are accomplished both professionally and academically. Public Relations accommodates the needs of students who wish to pursue a management-level career at a public relations firm or at an in-house public relations department. Journalism Educators caters to those who want to teach high school journalism. By offering hands-on, engaging courses—such as reporting public affairs, computer-assisted reporting online journalism, legal problems for mass media and design for cybermedia—the program readies our students to be better prepare their students upon graduation. Broadcasting focuses on education students who want to become reporters or producers of broadcast content. Through such courses as documentary, advanced broadcast news and online journalism, the program readies students to be leaders in their chosen field upon graduation. The Magazine concentration is for students who want to become writers, editors or magazine publishers. Courses such as magazine publishing, feature writing, specialized reporting and design for cybermedia will enable students to be competitive in the burgeoning magazine field. The Newspaper option is for students who want to become writers or editors for traditional newspapers. This concentration features courses such as reporting public affairs, computer-assisted reporting and specialized reporting to prepare students for careers in print journalism. Convergence is for students who want to become content providers for traditional and online media companies, across all platforms. This option features a combination of elements including reporting public affairs, computer-assisted reporting and design for cybermedia, along with online journalism and collaborative online production.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS:	Official transcript(s), three letters of recommendation, GRE, TOEFL for international students, goal statement and statement of desired concentration.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS:	Students must successfully complete a minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. All students complete a common core of conceptual courses in addition to required professional courses for each concentration. Approved electives include theoretical, conceptual and professional courses in journalism and mass communication. Electives from other academic units of the university may be approved through consultation with the student’s academic adviser. Students choose among master’s professional project, thesis and comprehensive exam options in meeting their capstone requirement.
PROGRAM FEE:	None