Academic Requirements

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate with an M.S. in Mass Media Arts, Journalism, and Communication Studies, you must complete 36 semester hours, including required courses with a QPA of 3.00 or better on a 4.00 scale.

Media Writing Competency

If you do not have sufficient background in media writing, a 400 level Mass Media Arts, Journalism, and Communication Studies writing course will be recommended. This decision is made in consultation with your advisor through an evaluation of your writing portfolio or testing. 

Electives

Graduate elective courses are provided in the Department of Mass Media Arts, Journalism, and Communication Studies to help you build proficiency in media production areas such as web publishing, multimedia design, photography, and audio and TV production.  You may also take up to six credit hours of electives from other graduate programs on campus with the approval of your advisor and committee. You may complete no more than three hours of 400-level courses for graduate credit to count toward the master's degree.

Advisement

Based on your career goals, you will be assigned an advisor from the Department of Mass Media Arts, Journalism, and Communication Studies.  You may select another advisor if you desire.

By the end of your first semester in residence, you need to select a permanent advisor and two other members of your graduate committee.  Your advisor must be a regular member of the graduate faculty, your other two members can be associate or regular graduate faculty.  

You will also need to file a program plan by the end of your first semester in residency.  The program plan will specify the elective courses you plan to take in your program.  The program plan will be constructed with the consultation of your advisor and committee.

Selecting the Committee

The students should carefully select the members of their capstone committee. The committee will be composed of three members, all of whom must hold status as graduate faculty. Two members must be current graduate faculty in the Department of Mass Media Arts, Journalism, and Communication Studies. A third member may be proposed from another department at Clarion University when the topic area makes his/her selection appropriate. A member might also be named from outside the university. These outside members must be approved by the graduate faculty and the Office of Graduate Studies.

 The chairperson of the committee should be someone who has expertise in the selected option and the topic areas related to the work the student will propose. A good working relationship with this person is necessary. The chairperson of the committee will provide regular guidance to the student in the development of his proposal and then his work, making certain that the  student is progressing in an appropriate and timely manner.

 When the proposal has been refined, the chairperson will recommend that the proposal be submitted to the two other committee members. All three committee members must approve the proposal before the student may begin his work.

 When the chairperson and the student agree that sufficient progress has been made in meeting the requirements of the study, the internship or the portfolio,  materials will be submitted to the other two members of the committee, who will then offer recommendations to the student.

 The chairperson of the committee will make the necessary arrangements for the comprehensive examination, if it is required, and for the public oral defense.

Applying for Candidacy

 Step One

Select your Thesis Advisor by the completion of nine MMAJ graduate credits and MMAJ 621. Your advisor must be a MMAJCS Department faculty member and a full member of the graduate faculty. You should consider the scholarly interests of the faculty when selecting your advisor, who will serve both as the chairperson of your committee and as your academic advisor.  

Select the remaining members of your thesis committee. At least one member must be from the MMAJCS Department. You should select your committee with the consultation of your advisor. Your committee will assist you in the completion of your capstone experience, and will conduct your oral defense. 

All three members of the committee must sign and date the form (see Appendix A) to signify their willingness to serve on your committee.   

Step Two

Complete and submit your Program Plan (see Appendix A) to the departmental office. Your program plan specifies the courses you plan to take to complete your degree.  Construct your Program Plan with the careful consultation of the graduate catalog and your advisor. 

Step Three

Determine which of the three capstone experiences you will select (MMAJ 700 Thesis, MMAJ 701 Internship, or MMAJ 702 Portfolio), and make appropriate arrangements. Your oral defense should be scheduled before the end of the 14th week of the semester you plan to graduate.

 In all cases, it is the student's responsibility of meeting the stated requirements of the master's degree.

Last Updated 04/07/07