Students enrolled in the online MA in Communications and Digital Media must complete 36 credits of coursework and can choose to follow either the Digital Filmmaking and Media Production track or the Social Media and Public Relations track. These tracks provide students with the opportunity to focus their studies while also obtaining general communications knowledge through the required core courses. If you are interested in exploring all elements of the industry, you may choose to forgo following a track.
Internship or Thesis
After completing 20 credits of coursework, a student will choose to complete either an internship or a thesis.
Internship Option
The student will meet with the program director and a counselor from Career Services to discuss career goals and potential placements. The student is responsible for attending any and all interviews and gaining employment.
Thesis Option
The student will meet with the program director during the semester before the thesis project would be completed. Although, traditionally, a thesis is a long form, research-based paper, and that medium is accepted, students have the opportunity to propose less traditional, long-form thesis projects which fall under the Media and Communication Arts umbrella.
CURRICULUM
Required Courses (20 credits)
- MCA 601 Industry Communications Theory and Practice (4)
- MCA 602 Writing for Organizations (4)
- MCA 603 Effective Speaking for Industry Professionals (4)
- MCA 610 Communications Research (4)
- MCA 693 Internship or Thesis (4)
Digital Filmmaking and Media Production track (16 credits—Students choose 4 courses)
- MCA 639 Creative Writing for Media Professionals (4)
- MCA 645 Media Innovation (4)
- MCA 652 Digital Video Field Production (4)
- MCA 654 Industrial Media Production (4)
- MCA 655 Producing the Documentary (Requires additional travel fees) (4)
- MCA 696C Advanced Production (4)
- MCA 696D Editing Aesthetics (4)
- MCA 696T Producing: From Script to Schedule (4)
- MCA 680 Media Law (4)
Social Media and Public Relations (16 credits—Students choose 4 courses)
- MCA 620 Media Relations (4)
- MCA 625 Corporate Communications and Responsibility (4)
- MCA 630 Digital Communications Leadership (4)
- MCA 635 Organizational Communications and Social Responsibility (4)
- MCA 640 International Communications (4)
- MCA 645 Media Innovation (4)
- MCA 670 Effective Web Architecture & Communication Design (4)
- MCA 680 Media Law (4)
- MCA 681 Multi-Platform Communications(Online) (4)
- MCA 696 Social Media Topics (4)
Comprehensive Exam
To earn the master’s degree, students must pass a 4-hour, written comprehensive exam, taken at the end of their final semester. This exam simulates a real world experience and has them apply what they learned to the job.
Program Walkthrough
Join Program Director Maria Luskay, EdD, Program Coordinator Kate Mulhollem, and Admission Advisor Abby Zupancic as they provide a video overview of the online Master of Arts in Communications and Digital Media program.
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
Required Courses (20 credits)
Course Rotation: Fall.
Course Rotation: Fall.
Digital Filmmaking and Media Production Track (16 credits—Students choose 4 courses)
Course Rotation: Fall
Course Rotation: Spring
Course Rotation: Fall
Course Rotation: TBA
Course Rotation: Spring
Course Rotation: Spring
Course Rotation: Fall—Even Years
Course Rotation: Fall
Social Media and Public Relations Track (16 credits—Students choose 4 courses)
Course Rotation: Spring
Course Rotation: Fall
Course Rotation: Spring
Course Rotation: Spring
Course Rotation: Spring—Odd Years
Course Rotation: Fall.
MCA 696 Social Media Topics (4)
Completed Comprehensive Exam
To earn the master’s degree, students must pass a 4-hour, written Comprehensive Exam, taken at the end of their final semester. Students will have access to only a computer and word processing software on site; the Internet and other computer programs will be unavailable. During their second to last semester, the student must choose five courses which they have completed or will complete during the semester the exam is taken. At least one of the five selected courses must be a core course. Additionally, the student must select three areas of the field which pertain to their educational and future career goals (e.g., public relations, film production, etc.). All of the aforementioned information should be included in an email to the program director and delivered during the student’s second to last semester. Of the five courses, a minimum of two courses will be chosen by the faculty, and the student will receive one fact pattern or essay question(s) for each of the selected courses. One course chosen for the student’s comprehensive exam will be a core course.
MCA courses other than those listed may be offered. Students should contact the program director to confirm if the course falls under their selected track.
Internship Option
After completing 20 credits of coursework, if a student chooses to complete an internship, they should meet with the program director and a counselor from Career Services to discuss career goals and potential placements. The student is responsible for attending any and all interviews and gaining employment. Once the student has been offered a position, and the position has been approved by the program director, the student must:
1. Send the program director a letter, written by the internship supervisor, stating the student’s employment hours and responsibilities.
2. Register for the internship section (MCA 693—4 credits) by completing a registration “add” form and acquiring a signature from the program director before bringing a hard copy of the form to the Office of the Registrar to officially register.
3. Work for 160 hours (1 credit per 40 hours) in the internship position while keeping a log. If the student is working on a consistent project, a weekly log will suffice. If the student’s responsibilities in the role change every time they work, a daily log will be more appropriate.
4. Submit a portfolio of work completed at the internship and a 5–7 page paper, thoroughly reflecting on the internship experience, to the program director by the last day of the semester.
5. Request an evaluation letter from the internship supervisor reflecting upon the student’s success in the position to be sent to the program director by the last day of the semester.
Internship Restrictions
1. May not exceed 4 academic credits
2. May not be a substitute for a major elective or core requirement
3. May not be arranged retroactively or for a position (full- or part-time) that a student already holds
4. May not be undertaken without a sponsoring faculty member
5. May not be undertaken without reasonable assurance that it will provide the opportunity for a significant learning experience
6. May not be undertaken for an experience which does not provide a basis for academic evaluation
7. May not be arranged unless there is a reasonable period of time (usually 30 days) to discuss and negotiate the nature of the internship with cooperating organization
Thesis Option
After completing 20 credits of coursework, if a student chooses to complete a thesis project they should meet with the program director during the semester before the thesis project would be completed. Although, traditionally, a thesis is a long form, research-based paper, and that medium is accepted, students have the opportunity to propose less traditional, long-form thesis projects which fall under the Media and Communication Arts umbrella. These include and are not limited to: a short film, website, screenplay, social media plan, etc. Enrolled students who are currently working are encouraged to take on a thesis project that may help them advance their career in their current workplace. If a student wishes to write a traditional thesis paper, this can be formulated in the Communications Research class. The thesis option may not exceed 4 academic credits.
Traditional Thesis Requirements
The thesis is a formal paper with a definite purpose that seeks to advance a point of analysis reached by the student in the course of their research. In order to do so, students are asked to come up with a new query, hypothesis, or investigation, and go forth to resolve or answer the question at hand. Students will submit a formal proposal for a thesis and must be granted permission to proceed by the program director. The program director will appoint a faculty member to direct the student with their thesis. This must be determined during the semester before the student registers for the thesis.
The completed thesis should present the nature of the problem or subject investigated, its significance to the profession or larger field of study, a discussion of the relevant literature, a clearly defined method of answering/exploring the question of interest, and specific conclusions or evaluations. The length of the thesis depends on the subject and the extent of the literature, but 30–50 pages is appropriate, plus appendices such as tables, charts, questionnaires, interview schedules, drawings, and photographs. Documentation and the bibliography must meet the standards of academic research set forth by the American Psychological Association (APA) or the Modern Language Association (MLA). Notes and bibliography should be consistent and follow the style of the latest edition of these guidelines.
Students who choose to complete a traditional thesis paper should adhere to the following proposal outline. Students who choose to complete a long form thesis project should ask the program director for guidance in designing a proposal, relative to the particular project.
Thesis Proposal
Purpose
State the problem to be addressed during the project. This should be in the form of research questions and/or hypotheses.
Rationale
Explain why your research is important to the field of communications.
Research Background
Explain the current state of the research about the phenomenon you want to study.
Data
Describe what data will you collect, where, and how for this project.
Analysis
Describe what can be extracted from the data and how this is significant to the area of inquiry.
Timeline
Identify the stages of your proposed study including data collection, testing, and writing up the study. Use a timeline that coordinates with the semester.
Meeting Schedule
Explain how you will identify emerging issues within the project and plausible solutions for discussion and consultation with your advisor.
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Information
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