The Media and Communications program prepares students with the knowledge, skills, tools, and experience to excel in a variety of jobs in media, government, academia, marketing, or nonprofit organizations. Students are challenged to examine both theory and application for a deeper understanding of media and communications and their role in the world. The curriculum prepares students to leverage the power of emerging media to share stories that matter to any organization, community, and world. The Media and Communications degree offers three concentrations that allow for a tailored educational experience:
- News Editorial and Management is designed for professionals seeking an advanced career in media administration.
- Public Relations
- Media Production
Students also have access to outstanding facilities including NSU's on-campus television and radio stations which are well-equipped with the latest technology. Students can choose to complete an internship at one of these first-class facilities and use technology in a real-world setting.
Degree Requirements
To meet the requirements for the Master of Arts degree in Media and Communications, a student may select one of two options:
- Complete 30 credit hours of coursework for a total of 30 credit hours
- Complete 24 credit hours of coursework and 6 credit hours for a thesis or project for a total of 30 credit hours
The time limit for completion of the Master of Arts in Media and Communications is four (4) years.
Students must have an overall 3.0 grade point average for all coursework in the degree program in order to graduate. A grade of B- or below in a major required course is a failing grade.
Residence Requirement
The residency requirement is one academic year. At least eighteen (18) hours of graduate work in Media and Communications must be taken in continuous matriculation at Norfolk State University.
Course Load
A full-time graduate student enrolled during an academic year is permitted to carry a maximum course load of twelve (12) credit hours per semester and six (6) credit hours during a summer session. To be considered in full-time study, the student must be registered for at least nine (9) credit hours each semester during the regular academic year. Any departure from these regulations must be approved by the Master of Arts in Media and Communications Graduate Admissions Committee.
Internship/Thesis/Electives
Students can further tailor their experiences by completing an internship for more practical experience, completing a thesis, or enrolling in additional electives.
Internship
The internship for the master’s degree provides a student with practical experience in a setting in which the student expects to be employed. After completing the residency requirement, the student who chooses an internship, in partial fulfillment of the master’s degree requirement, must submit a viable internship proposal to the Master of Arts in Media and Communications Graduate Internship Committee for approval. The student must submit as part of his/her proposal the name of the approved agency, the nature of the student’s responsibilities during the internship, and a signed statement from the person(s) who will be the student’s supervisor during the internship, indicating a willingness to supervise the student and in turn submit the student’s evaluation to the student’s academic advisor. The student must perform satisfactorily for not less than 180 clock hours in the approved agency during the semester(s) he/she is enrolled in the internship course.
Thesis
The master’s thesis provides an opportunity for scholarly mass media and/or communications research. Before initiating a thesis, the student must select a thesis committee composed of three members of the graduate faculty in the Media and Communications graduate program. One of the committee members must agree to be the student’s thesis advisor. The student may submit his/her thesis proposal to the committee upon completion of twelve (12) hours of graduate coursework in the program.
Project
The project for the master’s degree provides the student an opportunity for artistic creativity by his/her writing, producing, and directing a quality audio and video media production. Before initiating a production project, the student must select a production project committee composed of three members of the graduate faculty in the Media and Communications graduate program. One of the committee members must agree to be the student’s production project advisor. The student may submit his/her production project proposal to the committee upon completion of twelve (12) hours of coursework in the program.
Admissions
Requirements
Admission to the program leading to a Master of Arts in Media and Communications may be admitted on a degree or non-degree basis. To be admitted as a possible degree candidate, a student must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with an overall academic average of 3.0 (based on a 4.0 scale), and have a 3.0 average in his/her major field of study from an accredited college or university. A personal interview may be required.
A student who otherwise meets all of the general requirements for admission but whose overall undergraduate academic average falls below the required 3.0 yet exceeds 2.8 (based on a 4.0 scale), may be accepted on provisional status and may take up to nine credit hours in the program, as a non-degree student. Upon completing the first nine hours of approved graduate work with a 3.0 or above average, the student may petition the Master of Arts in Media and Communications Graduate Admissions Committee for regular admission to the program as a degree-seeking student.
Re-admission
Re-admission to the program is not automatic. After an absence of one semester, a former student must apply to the Graduate School for re-admission to the program and follow the regular re-admission procedure. In lieu of the re-admission process, a student may maintain his/her matriculation status by enrolling in a continuous registration course and paying the appropriate fee.
Non-Degree Status
A person with a baccalaureate degree and who seeks to take particular courses but not work toward a graduate degree on a matriculating basis may be admitted in a non-degree status. The student may at a later date apply for admission to degree status. A change in status does not imply, however, that course work completed in the non-degree status will be automatically accepted and applied to degree requirements.
Application Procedure
A completed application consists of the following:
- A fully completed graduate application form
- An unofficial academic transcript (an official transcript showing that a baccalaureate degree has been awarded is required if admitted and prior to enrollment)
- A CV/Resume
- A minimum score on the TOEFL Exam as required by the Graduate School at Norfolk State University (international students only)
Only fully completed applications will be reviewed by the Master of Arts in Media and Communications Graduate Admissions Committee. The deadline for all fully completed applications is May 1 for fall and summer and November 1 for spring.
Transfer Credit
Up to six (6) hours of graduate-level transfer credit course work may be approved by the Master of Arts in Media and Communications Graduate Admissions Committee. Students must have earned a grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) for each hour of transfer credit accepted.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Graduation Degree Requirements: News Editorial and Management
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 |
| Concentration Electives | 9 |
| Internship/Thesis/Electives | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCM 610 | Media Research | 3 |
| MCM 620 | Media Theory | 3 |
| MCM 653 | Media Law | 3 |
News Editorial and Media Management Concentration Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| MCM 510 | Introduction to Mass Communication | 3 |
| MCM 513 | Specialized Writing | 3 |
| MCM 545 | Media Management Administration | 3 |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| XXX XXX | Internship/Thesis/Electives | 12 |
| Total Credits | 12 | |
Graduation Degree Requirements: Public Relations
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 |
| Concentration Electives | 9 |
| Internship/Thesis/Electives | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCM 610 | Media Research | 3 |
| MCM 620 | Media Theory | 3 |
| MCM 653 | Media Law | 3 |
Public Relations Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCM 512 | Editing Publications | 3 |
| MCM 513 | Specialized Writing | 3 |
| MCM 652 | Public Relations | 3 |
Electives
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| xxx xxx | Internship/Thesis/Electives | 12 |
Graduation Degree Requirements: Media Production
| Subject Area | Credits |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 9 |
| Concentration Courses | 9 |
| Internship/Thesis/Electives | 12 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 |
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCM 610 | Media Research | 3 |
| MCM 620 | Media Theory | 3 |
| MCM 653 | Media Law | 3 |
Media Producation Concentration Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MCM 550 | Introduction to Television | 3 |
| MCM 650 | Television Directing | 3 |
| MCM 660 | Seminar in Radio/Tv/Film | 3 |
Elective Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| XXX XXX | Internship/Thesis/Electives | 12 |