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2024-2025 Graduate Catalog
Master of Arts - Journalism & Media Studies
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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, 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.
For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.
Plan Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.
(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements
- Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
- Bachelor’s Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
- Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor’s degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits).
- All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.
- Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.
(b) Department Admission Requirements
The master’s degree program is designed to meet the student’s academic, 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.
Please access the application deadlines page for details regarding review of applications. For additional information, check the school’s website.
Students should send application and college transcripts to the Graduate College, containing:
- 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.
- A letter of intent detailing the applicant’s goals and expectations as a graduate student in journalism and media studies.
- A writing sample such as a college course term paper.
Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.
Subplan 1 Requirements: Journalism & Media Studies - Thesis
Total Credits Required: 30
Required Courses – Credits: 9
Complete 9 credits by completing all of the following courses:
Qualitative Methods Course - Credits: 3
Complete 3 credits of graduate-level coursework in qualitative methods - coursework from outside the department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) - must have the approval of the graduate coordinator. Journalism & Media Studies Courses – Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits in JMS or other advisor-approved courses. Elective Courses – Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits of advisor-approved 600- or 700-level elective coursework. Degree Requirements
- Students may elect to present their theses content in traditional or non-traditional formats.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Graduate Coordinator is the temporary advisor for all new, incoming graduate students. Before completing 16 credits, 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. Students are responsible for determining a program of study with their advisor or Graduate Coordinator.
- 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 their accumulated course work.
- A student who fails the oral examination for 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.
Subplan 2 Requirements: Journalism & Media Studies - Professional Paper
Total Credits Required: 30
Required Courses – Credits: 9
Complete 9 credits by completing all of the following courses: Qualitative Methods Course - Credits: 3
Complete 3 credits of graduate-level coursework in qualitative methods - coursework from outside the department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) - must have the approval of the graduate coordinator. Journalism & Media Studies Courses – Credits: 12
Complete 12 credits in JMS or other advisor-approved courses. Elective Courses – Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits of advisor-approved 600- or 700-level elective coursework. Degree Requirements
- The 30 credit Professional Paper option culminates in the development and presentation of a professional paper.
- Completion of the degree requirements includes working with an advisor and committee according to the guides set forth by the Graduate College.
- The Graduate Coordinator is the temporary advisor for all new, incoming graduate students. Before completing 16 credits, the student selects a permanent advisor who mentors the student through the remainder of the program and guides them in the professional paper process.
- Students are responsible for determining a program of study with their advisor or Graduate Coordinator.
- 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 their accumulated course work.
Subplan 3 Requirements: Strategic Digital and Social Media
Total Credits Required: 30
Required Courses – Credits: 9
Complete 9 credits by completing all of the following courses: Qualitative Methods Course - Credits: 3
Complete 3 credits of graduate-level coursework in qualitative methods - coursework from outside the department of Journalism and Media Studies (JMS) - must have the approval of the graduate coordinator. Journalism & Media Studies Courses – Credits: 12
Complete 12 credits in JMS or other advisor-approved courses. Internship / Independent Study Courses - Credits: 6
Complete 6 credits from a combination of the following courses: Degree Requirements
- All requirements listed above must be completed successfully.
- The Graduate Coordinator is the temporary advisor for all new, incoming graduate students. Before completing 16 credits, the student selects a permanent advisor who mentors the student through the remainder of the program.
- Students are responsible for determining a program of study with their advisor or Graduate Coordinator.
- Students must complete a critical review and analysis of the results of the internship experience in reference to the knowledge discussed throughout the program and their independent study, delivered to the grad coordinator in the form of a 20-25 page academic paper.
- 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 their accumulated course work.
Plan Graduation Requirements
Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.
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