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MA in Film & Media Production (Full-Time)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses:
- COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-663: Techniques & Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-682: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-524: Producing for Documentary (3 credits)
-
OR
COMM-613: Producing for Film & Video (3 credits) -
Spring 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Non-thesis project must be completed with minimum “B” (3.00) required.
- COMM-638: Production Practicum (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
OR
- COMM-691: Film & Media Arts Internship (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
OR
- COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
MA in Film & Media Production (Part-Time)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses:
- COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-663: Techniques & Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-682: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-651: Colloquium: The Story of Film (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-524: Producing for Documentary (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
-
OR
- COMM-613: Producing for Film & Video (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
- Non-thesis project must be completed with minimum “B” (3.00) required.
- COMM-638: Production Practicum (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
OR
- COMM-691: Professional Internship (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
OR
- COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
MFA in Film and Media Arts
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025 Subject to change as warranted.
The 54 credit hours, of coursework must include:
Required Courses:
- COMM-610: Principles of Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-663: Techniques and Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-630: Principles of Photography (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-631: Film & Video Production & Direction (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-682: Introduction to Screenwriting (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-651: The Story of Film (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-701: Graduate Seminar in Film Theory & Practice (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- Requirement from Concentration Area (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- COMM-711: Teaching Seminar in Communication (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- COMM-702: Master’s Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
- COMM-702: Master’s Portfolio Capstone (3 credits)
- Spring 2027
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2027
MA in Game Design
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 – 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required Courses:
- GAME-601: Game Prototyping (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- GAME-605: Games, History, and Society (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- GAME-612 Digital Art Tools & Techniques (3 Credits)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-610: Game Research Methods (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-615: Game Development (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- GAME-620 Making Meaningful Games (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- GAME-625 Game Development II (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- COMM-702: Master's Portfolio Capstone (6 credits)
- Spring 2026
- 9 credit hours in electives from varied programs. Students may design a focus with director and advisor approval.
MFA in Games and Interactive Media
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 and later. Subject to change as warranted.
The 54 credit hours, of coursework must include:
Required Courses:
- COMM-610: Principles of Film and Video Production (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-663: Techniques/Aesthetics of Editing (3 credits) (Minimum “B” (3.00) required)
- Summer 2024
- GAME-601: Game Prototyping (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- GAME-605: Games, History, and Society (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- GAME-610: Game Research Methods (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- GAME-615: Game Development I (3 credits)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-620: Making Meaningful Games (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- GAME-625: Game Development II (3 credits)
- Fall 2024
- GAME-675: Writing for Interactivity (3 credits)
- Fall 2025
- COMM-711: Teaching Seminar (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective (3 credits)
- Spring 2026
-
Additional required Courses:
COMM-702: Masters Portfolio Capstone (6 credits )
GAME-691: Internship (6 credits)
MA in Journalism & Public Affairs
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 33 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required SOC Courses (12 credit hours):
- COMM-624: Boot Camp for Journalists (Required for all tracks. Must earn "B" (3.0) or better)
- Summer 2024
- COMM-724: Reporting of Public Affairs (Required for all tracks)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-621: Community News Reporting (Required for all tracks)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-601: Communication Law (Required for all tracks)
- Spring 2025
Specialties-Choose either Investigative, International, or Broadcast
Investigative Journalism Specialty (9 credit hours)
- COMM-700: Investigative Journalism Practicum
- Fall 2024 or Spring 2025
- COMM-618: Data Driven Journalism
- Fall 2024
- COMM-619: In-Depth Journalism
- Fall 2024
- COMM-588: Race, Ethnic & Community Reporting
- Spring 2025
- COMM-607: International Investigative Journalism
- Spring 2025
International Journalism Specialty (9 credit hours)
- COMM-645: Global Journalism in 21st Century
- Fall 2024
- COMM-544: Foreign Correspondence
- Spring 2025
- COMM-607: International Investigative Journalism
- Spring 2025
- COMM-643: Foreign Policy and the Press
- Spring 2025
- COMM-588: Race, Ethnic & Community Reporting
- Spring 2025
Broadcast Journalism Specialty (9 credit hours)
- COMM-721: Digital Audio Production
- Fall 2024
- COMM-632: Backpack Video Journalism
- Spring 2025
- COMM-687 Advanced Broadcast Production
- Spring 2025
Capstone (3 credit hours-Choose 1 of the following)
- COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism (Must earn “B” (3.0) or better)
- Summer 2025
- COMM-725: In-Depth Broadcast Production Capstone (Must earn “B” (3.0) or better)
- Summer 2025
Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)
- COMM-509: Politics and the Media
- Fall 2024
- COMM-521: Opinion Writing
- Fall 2024
- COMM-544: Foreign Correspondence
- Spring 2025
- COMM-588: Race, Ethnic & Community Reporting
- Spring 2025
- COMM-617: Fundamentals of News Design
- Spring 2025
- COMM-618: Data-Driven Journalism
- Spring 2025
- COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Topics vary (approved topics only)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-691: Graduate Internship (One 3 credit internship is allowed in the MA program)
- Spring 2025 or Summer 2025
- COMM-717: Photography & Visual Storytelling
- Spring 2025
- COMM-717: Longform Storytelling
- Spring 2025
MA in Media, Technology, and Democracy (Full-time)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 – 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (18 Credit Hours):
- COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory
- Fall 2024
- COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods
- Fall 2024
- COMM-704: Media, Technology, and Democracy
- Fall 2024
- COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy
- Spring 2025
- COMM-755: Research Design in Communication
- Summer 2025
- COMM-797: Master’s Thesis Research
- Summer 2025
Electives (12 Credit Hours)
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2024
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
MA in Media, Technology, and Democracy (Part-time)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 – 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (18 Credit Hours):
- COMM-750: Advanced Media Theory
- Fall 2024
- COMM-751: Advanced Media Research Methods
- Fall 2024
- COMM-754: Media, Law & Policy
- Spring 2025
- COMM-755: Research Design in Communication
- Summer 2025
- COMM-704: Media, Technology, and Democracy
- Fall 2025
- COMM-797: Master’s Thesis Research
- Summer 2026
Electives (12 Credit Hours)
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Fall 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2026
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2026
MA in Political Communication (Fall Admission)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required Core Courses (19 credit hours):
- GOVT-620 Applied Politics and Public Policy
- Fall 2024 or Spring 2025
- GOVT-643 Applied Political Writing (offered fall & spring)
- Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
- COMM-628 or GOVT-628 Proseminar in Political Communication (1 credit)
- Fall 2025
- COMM-639 Political Communication
- Spring or Summer 2025
- COMM 640 Principles of Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
- COMM-735 Communication Theory
- Spring 2025
- COMM-738 Research for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
Required Institutes (5 credits):
Select one of the 4 credit courses:
- GOVT-520: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management
- Spring 2025 Intersession or Summer 2025
OR
- GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying
- Spring 2025 Intersession or Summer 2025
Select one of the 1 credit courses:
- GOVT-521: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (rotating topics)
- Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
OR
- GOVT-524: Topics in Public Affairs/Advocacy (rotating topics)
- Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
Required Capstone (3 credits):
- COMM-629 or GOVT-629 Capstone in Political Communication
- Spring 2026
Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)
Government:
-
GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying: European Affairs & Advocacy Institute
- Offered summer only in Brussels
- GOVT-644: Political Speechwriting
- GOVT-651: The Legislative Process
- Offered spring only
- GOVT-652 The Presidency and the Executive Branch
- Offered fall only
- GOVT-656: Voting Behavior, Elections, and Campaigns
- Offered fall only
- GOVT-682: Women and Politics
- GOVT-683: Women, Politics and Public Policy
- COMM-684: Women and Political Leadership
- GOVT-685: Topics in Women and Politics
- Offered fall or spring
Communication:
- COMM-509: Politics and the Media
- Offered fall only
- COMM-521: Opinion Writing
- Offered spring only
- COMM-533: Ethics in Strategic Communication
- Offered fall only
- COMM-539: International Strategic Communication
- Offered spring only
- COMM-540: Social Marketing for Social Impact
- Offered spring only
- COMM-542: Media Relations
- Offered fall only
- COMM-543: Speechwriting
- Offered spring only
- COMM-551: Grassroots Digital Advocacy
- Offered spring only
- COMM-567: Communication and Social Change
- Offered fall only
- COMM-608: Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-641: Crisis Communication
- Offered spring only
- COMM-642: Strategic Communication Management
- COMM-643: Foreign Policy and the Press
- Offered summer only
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Offered fall only
- COMM-649: International Strategic Communication
- Offered spring only
MA in Political Communication (Spring Admission)
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 36 credit hours of coursework must include:
Required Core Courses (19 credit hours):
- GOVT-620 Applied Politics and Public Policy
- Sping 2025
- GOVT-643 Applied Political Writing
- Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
- COMM-628 or GOVT-628 Proseminar in Political Communication (1 credit)
- Spring 2026
- COMM-639 Political Communication
-
Summer or Fall 2025
- COMM-640 Principles of Strategic Communication
-
Spring 2025
- COMM-735 Communication Theory
-
Fall 2025
- COMM-738 Research for Strategic Communication
-
Spring 2025
Required Institutes (5 credits):
Select one of the 4 credit courses:
- GOVT-520: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management
- Spring 2026 Intersession or Summer 2026
OR
- GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying
- Spring 2026 Intersession or Summer 2026
Select one of the 1 credit courses:
- GOVT-521: Advanced Studies in Campaign Management (rotating topics)
-
Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
OR
- GOVT-524: Topics in Public Affairs/Advocacy (rotating topics)
-
Fall 2025 or Spring 2026
Required Capstone (3 credits):
- COMM-629 or GOVT-629 Capstone in Political Communication (3 credits)
- Fall 2026
Electives (9 credit hours-Choose 3 of the following)
Government:
-
GOVT-523: The Art and Craft of Lobbying: European Affairs & Advocacy Institute
- Offered summer only in Brussels.
- GOVT-644: Political Speechwriting
- GOVT-651: The Legislative Process
- Offered spring only
- GOVT-652 The Presidency and the Executive Branch
- Offered fall only
- GOVT-656: Voting Behavior, Elections, and Campaigns
- Offered fall only
- GOVT-682: Women and Politics
- GOVT-683: Women, Politics and Public Policy
- COMM-684: Women and Political Leadership
- GOVT-685: Topics in Women and Politics
- Offered fall or spring
Communication:
- COMM-509: Politics and the Media
- Offered fall only
- COMM-521: Opinion Writing
- Offered spring only
- COMM-533: Ethics in Strategic Communication
- Offered fall only
- COMM-539: International Strategic Communication
- Offered spring only
- COMM-540: Social Marketing for Social Impact
- Offered spring only
- COMM-542: Media Relations
- Offered fall only
- COMM-543: Speechwriting
- Offered spring only
- COMM-551: Grassroots Digital Advocacy
- Offered spring only
- COMM-567: Communication and Social Change
- Offered fall only
- COMM-608: Social Media Strategies and Tactics
- COMM-641: Crisis Communication
- Offered spring only
- COMM-642: Strategic Communication Management
- COMM-643: Foreign Policy and the Press
- Offered summer only
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Offered fall only
- COMM-649: International Strategic Communication
- Offered spring only
MA in Strategic Communication (Full-time)
Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) in at least two of these three courses: Principles of Strategic Communication (COMM-640), Communication Theory (COMM-735), and/or Research for Strategic Communication (COMM-738)
Degree requirements effective as of Academic Year 2024- 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (15 Credit Hours):
- COMM-640: Principles of Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
- COMM-735: Communication Theory
- Fall 2024
- COMM-738: Research for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
- COMM-744: Strategic Communication Capstone
- Spring 2025
Electives: 15 Credit Hours:
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2025
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2025
MA in Strategic Communication (Part-time)
Students must achieve a minimum grade of “B” (3.0) in at least two of these three courses: Principles of Strategic Communication (COMM-640), Communication Theory (COMM-735), and/or Research for Strategic Communication (COMM-738).
Degree requirements effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
Core Courses (15 Credit Hours):
- COMM-640: Principles of Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
- COMM-644: Writing for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2024
- COMM-735: Communication Theory
- Fall 2025
- COMM-738: Research for Strategic Communication
- Fall 2025
- COMM-744: Strategic Communication Capstone
- Spring 2026
Electives: 15 Credit Hours:
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2025
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2025
- Approved Elective
- Summer 2025
- Approved Elective
- Spring 2026
Weekend MA in Journalism and Digital Storytelling
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
- COMM-622: Writing/Editing for Convergent Media
- Fall 2024
- COMM-652: Web Studio
- Fall 2024
- COMM-717: Photography & Visual Storytelling
- Spring 2025
- COMM-632: Backpack Video Journalism
- Spring 2025
- COMM-601: Communication Law
- Summer 2025
- COMM-625: Innovation and the Media Industry
- Summer 2025
- COMM-719: The Past, Present, & Future of Longform Storytelling
- Fall 2025
- COMM-620: Topics in Mass Media: Storytelling with Audio
- Fall 2025
- COMM-618: Data-Driven Journalism
- Spring 2026
- COMM-720: Capstone Seminar in Journalism
- Spring 2026
Weekend MA in Producing Film, Television and Video
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 – 2024. Subject to change as warranted.
The 30 credit hours of coursework must include:
- COMM-682: Writing for Visual Media
- Fall 2024
- COMM-660 Developing Fiction Productions
- Fall 2024
- COMM-661 Developing Nonfiction Productions
- Spring 2025
- COMM-601: Communication Law
- Spring 2025
- COMM-662: Production Planning and Management
- Summer 2025
- COMM-665: Film & TV Marketing Concepts and Strategies
- Summer 2025
- COMM-674: The Business of Television
- Fall 2025
- COMM-659: International Film and TV Markets
- Fall 2025
- COMM-671: Media Enterprise I: Establishing the Enterprise
- Spring 2026
- COMM-702: Masters Portfolio Capstone
- Spring 2026
PhD in Communication
Degree requirements, effective as of Academic Year 2024 - 2025. Subject to change as warranted.
The 33 credit hours, of coursework, exclusive of COMM-898/COMM-899 must include:
- COMM-704 Media, Technology, and Democracy (3)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-750 Advanced Media Theory (3)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-751 Advanced Media Research Methods (3)
- Fall 2024
- COMM-754 Media Law and Policy (3)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-711 Teaching Seminar (3)
- Spring 2025
- Statistics or research methods course OR Elective (3)
- Spring 2025
- COMM-755 Research Design in Communication (3)
- Summer 2025
- COMM-860 Seminar in Doctoral Research (3)
- Fall 2025
- Statistics or research methods course (3) and Elective (3) OR Approved Electives (6)
- Fall 2025
- COMM-861 Advanced Research and Project Development (3)
- Spring 2026
- COMM-898 Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (6)
- Spring 2026
- Qualifying Exams
- Spring 2026
- COMM-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
- Fall 2026
- COMM-899 Doctoral Dissertation (9)
- Spring 2027
Schedules for Weekend Students
Spring 2024: SOC Weekend Programs
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day — January 15
Classes Begin — January 16
Spring Break — March 10-17
Commencement — May 10-12
1st Session
- January 20
January 27
February 3
February 10 — Work Day*
February 17
February 24
March 2
2nd Session
- March 9
March 16 - OFF Spring Break
March 23
March 30 — Work Day*
April 6
April 13
April 20
April 27
*May be used as a makeup day in the event class missed due to weather or other reason.
Summer 2024: SOC Weekend Programs
- Commencement Weekend — May 10-12
Memorial Day — May 27
Juneteenth — June 19
Independence Day — July 4
1st Session
- May 18
May 25 — Work Day*
June 1
June 8
June 15
June 22
June 29
2nd Session
- July 6 — Work Day*
July 13
July 20
July 27
August 3
August 10
August 17
*May be used as a makeup day in the event class missed due to weather or other reason.
Fall 2024: SOC Weekend Programs
- Fall 2024 Classes Begin — August 26
Labor Day — September 2
Thanksgiving — November 28
1st Session
- September 7
September 14
September 21
September 28
October 5
October 12
2nd Session
- October 26
November 2
November 9
November 16
November 23
November 30 — OFF Thanksgiving weekend
December 7 – Study Day
December 14 - *May be used as a makeup day in the event class missed due to weather or other reason.