Oct 08, 2024  
2024 2025 Academic Catalog 
    
2024 2025 Academic Catalog

Global Media and Communication Studies, M.A.

Location(s): Main Campus


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NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4966

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies is designed to pre­pare students to become communication specialists who can respond to the informa­tion revolution and the globalization of me­dia. The program conveys the importance of media experts that possess intercultural sensitivity and an ability to transcend bor­ders and interpret the communications of other cultures. The program’s Global Com­munications Track introduces and supports its students to develop the skills needed for careers in as spokespersons, cross-cultural communications specialists for governmen­tal, nongovernmental public diplomacy and for work with transnational corporations. Its New Media Track prepares students as web­masters and content managers for industry and for the work in the public sector.

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Com­munication Studies is a two-year program. It requires the completion of 36 semester hours of class work, including an internship, tuto­rial and thesis. Students who enter the pro­gram are expected to have completed at least one year of college foreign language study or pass a language proficiency exam. Students who have not studied a foreign language must do such study in order to graduate. Do­mestic students must do the internship in a country where the foreign language that they have studied is spoken and it may be done over two summers if necessary. Non-US stu­dents who speak another global language besides English may do their internship ei­ther locally or overseas.

Learning Outcomes

The curriculum of the Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies is designed so that students develop and dem­onstrate competency in the following areas:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and functions of traditional and new media
  • Demonstrate an ability to function as an effective communicator, writer, and spokesperson
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the dif­ferent media systems in the world and patterns of communication
  • Demonstrate abilities and skills to com­municate across cultures and nations
  • Demonstrate an ability to use media and communication skills to address conflicts and misunderstandings
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the le­gal and ethical issues in media communi­cation
  • Demonstrate abilities and skills in gather­ing, writing, and reporting news in for­eign countries
  • Develop abilities to create effective media content
  • Demonstrate abilities to assess, use, and interpret information
  • Develop basic knowledge of at least one world language other than English.

Masters of Arts Core Requirements

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies is a 36 semester hour graduate course of study that requires four to five semesters, including an overseas intern­ship.

The Master of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies offers two potential tracks and students choose one based on in­terests and skills:

Global Communication Track

Students who elect this concentration will normally pursue a career in public diploma­cy either (strike either) as a communications specialist either with a government, a gov­ernment agency, an intergovernmental agen­cy or a non-governmental agency or with a transnational corporation.

New Media Track

Students choosing this track will normally work as webmasters, web designers or spe­cialists for government-related agencies or in the corporate world.

Curriculum - 36 Credit(s)


All courses are 3 credits

Core Curriculum (Required for Both Program Tracks) - 24 Credit(s)


Required Courses for Track Options


Requirements for Track B: New Media Communication Track - 9 Credit(s)


(Take GMCS 546  and two additional courses)

Free Elective - 3 Credit(s)


English Language Requirement


For applicants whose native language is not English, a minimum score of 213 (computer) or 550 (paper) on the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is required. Excep­tion to these requirements will be consid­ered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the Director of the University’s English Language Institute and following completion of an oral and written English exam that is administered by the English Language Insti­tute. Students with demonstrated difficulty communicating in English may be required to take an advanced ELI course even if they have earned between 213/550 and 250/600 TOEFL scores.

Minimum Grade Point Average Requirement


Candidates for the Masters of Arts in Global Media and Communication Studies are re­quired to maintain a minimum semester grade point average of 3.0 to remain in good academic standing. The Master’s degree may only be conferred upon a student who has the minimum required average of a 3.0 at the conclusion of the student’s studies. To re­ceive credit for the completion of one of the tracks, a minimum of a “B” must be received in each course within the concentration.

Students failing to maintain minimum aca­demic standards will be placed on academic probation at the end of the first semester in which they do not maintain a semester or overall GPA of at least 3.0 or earn a C- or lower grade in any class. If the student fails to raise his overall GPA above a 3.0 by the end of the semester following being placed on academic probation, fails again to earn at least a 3.0 semester GPA or again earns a C-or lower grade in any class, she or he will be separated from the GLDP program.

A student separated from the program may apply for readmission to the program follow­ing a minimum of one semester of not par­ticipating in the program.

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