Master of Arts - Journalism & Media Studies

Plan Description

The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism & Media Studies offers a graduate program of study leading to a Master of Arts degree. Courses of study are designed both for students with a career orientation - in such diverse arenas as human resources, politics, advertising, education, public relations, broadcasting, and social services - and for those who aspire to continue their education in doctoral programs. 

All students are required to take four introductory courses: survey of graduate studies, quantitative analysis, and qualitative research methods, and theory. Yet because each student’s goals are unique, the curriculum allows flexibility in developing individual degree programs. Such development aims to balance the discipline’s varied traditions in theoretical, historical, and applied research, with particular attention to the changing culture of the twenty-first century.

Learning Outcomes 

www.unlv.edu/degree/ma-journalism-media-studies

Plan Admission Requirements

The master’s degree program is designed to meet the student’s professional and/or personal objectives. Although an undergraduate degree in journalism, broadcasting, media studies, or communication is not required for admission to the program, a student without a background in these related fields may be required to complete additional course work at the graduate or undergraduate level in order to satisfy minimum expectations of someone entering a graduate course of study.

• The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies admits graduate students only in the fall semester.
• Review of applications begins March 15.
• For additional information, check the school’s website.

Students should send application and college transcripts to the Graduate College. In addition, the following should be sent directly to the Graduate Coordinator of the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies:

1. A copy of your undergraduate transcripts (you must have a GPA of at least 3.00 in the last 90 credits of undergraduate course work).
2. Satisfactory scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
3. At least three letters of recommendation from people who are able to attest to the applicant’s ability to do graduate-level work. At least one of these letters should come from a former or current professor or college-level instructor.
4. A letter of intent detailing the applicant’s goals and expectations as a graduate student in journalism and media studies.
5. A writing sample such as a college course term paper.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Plan Requirements

 Total Credits Required: 37

Course Requirements   

Required Courses – Credits: 7

JMS 708 - Journalism and Media Studies Colloquium 

JMS 709 - Introduction to Research Methods in Journalism and Media Studies  (3 credits)

JMS 730 - Journalism and Media Theory  (3 credits)

Journalism & Media Studies Courses – Credits: 15

Complete 15 JMS credits.

Elective Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits of 600- or 700-level elective coursework.

Thesis – Credits: 6

JMS 798 - Thesis 

Degree Requirements   

1.  Students may elect to present their theses content in traditional or non-traditional formats.
   
   1. The non-traditional thesis must be consistent with the overall objectives of the program and be approved by the student’s thesis committee. There content may be written or take the form of a documentary, drama, public relations campaign, film, video, exhibit, script, website, or any combination approved by the student’s thesis committee. In addition, a written research component that follows department and Graduate College formatting guidelines is required.
   2. Regardless of the option selected, the entire thesis must be approved by the Graduate College for electronic and university library access purposes. An oral examination of the thesis is required.
2. The Graduate Coordinator is the temporary advisor for all new, incoming graduate students. Before completing 16 credit hours, the student selects a permanent advisor who mentors the student through the remainder of the program and guides them in the thesis or examination process.
3. Students are responsible for determining a program of study with their advisor or Graduate Coordinator.
4. A passing grade in any graduate-level course is B- or better. Any course grade of C+ or lower will not be included in the student’s degree program. All grades, pass or fail, are calculated to produce the student’s GPA. Students can repeat a course to try to better a grade. To graduate, the master’s student must have a GPA of 3.00 or higher in his or her accumulated course work.
5. A student who fails the oral examination for the thesis or the comprehensive examination is allowed to reschedule the oral examination no sooner than three months after the first attempt. Student will be placed on probation. Failure on the second attempt results in the student being separated from the program.

Plan Graduation Requirements

1. The student must submit all required forms to the Graduate College and then apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing his/her degree requirements.
2. The student must submit and successfully defend his/her thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.  
3. The student must submit his/her approved, properly formatted hard-copy document to the Graduate College, and submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest by the posted deadline.