The School of Journalism& Media Studies offers an M.A. in Communication, with a specialization in either Mass Communication and Media Studies or Investigative Journalism. In addition, the School offers a specialized program for military Public Affairs Officers.
Completing core courses
Students must enroll in JMS 600 A, Seminar: Introduction to Graduate Studies in Mass Communication and Media Studies and JMS 600 B, Seminar: Research Methods in Mass Communication and Media Studies during their first semester. Students will only be allowed to take each core course once. At the end of the semester in which Communication 600A and 600B are taken, the grades in both courses will determine a student’s next steps in the program:
- Students who obtain a “B” average across both courses are permitted to continue their studies in the specialization.
- Students who obtain less than a “B” average across both courses, but who receive a grade of “B” or better in either 600A or 600B, may only continue their studies in the specialization upon approval of a petition. The petition will be evaluated by the faculty that teach within the specialization.
- Students who obtain less than a B average across both courses and who did not receive a grade of “B” or better in either 600A or 600B will not be allowed to continue in the program.
The grade of “I” will not be given to any student in any core course. A letter grade is assigned for work completed in the course. At the instructor’s discretion, a grade of “U” (unauthorized withdrawal) may be assigned to students who fail to complete a substantial portion of the coursework, which converts to an “F” in the computation of student’s grade point average.
Advancing to candidacy
1. File a Program of Study
The Program of Study outlines a plan of action by listing all the courses that you intend to complete in your graduate program. Consult the graduate program Curricula for general requirements and graduate course offerings to help in completing your Program of Study. The Program of Study must be filed with the Graduate Division through your Graduate Adviser upon completion of 12-15 units, typically the end of your first year.
Goals may change, preferred courses may not be offered, etc. In such cases negotiate a substitute course and then fill out a Change in Program of Study, through consultation with and signed permission from your Graduate Adviser.
2. Decide whether to complete a thesis or comprehensive exams
In order to receive an MA, mastery of program content must be demonstrated through the Comprehensive Exam or through completion of a thesis. To prepare your Program of Study you must make a tentative decision about writing a master's thesis or taking the Comprehensive Exam. If you elect to write a master's thesis, the thesis is specified as one of the 10 courses in your Program of Study; otherwise students electing comprehensive exam must select 10 graduate-level courses. Both options are discussed below in the "Writing a Thesis" and "Taking Comprehensive Exams" sections.
3. Complete course requirements
You will be advanced to candidacy when you meet certain conditions classification. Usually this is accomplished simultaneously with the submission of your program of study. Minimally you must complete core and proficiency course(s) with a ‘B’ or better and maintain a B average. Once advanced to candidacy, students pursuing an MA in Communication are ready for the final step in their advanced studies: conducting original research in the form of a master's thesis or demonstrating a broad, comprehensive understanding of communication by taking the Comprehensive Examination.
Taking the comprehensive examination
The Comprehensive Exam is a written and oral examination covering material common to all Master's degree candidates and material specific to the courses the candidate personally took in his or her official Program of Study . Students electing to take "comps" for their MA program must take 8 hours of written comprehensive examination. In addition, an oral defense of written answers before the candidate's Comprehensive Exam Committee may also be required. For more information, follow the link below.
Writing a thesis
Typically, the master's thesis is a multi-semester project of original research conducted by the master's candidate, under the supervision of a faculty thesis chair. The link below provides information about the master’s thesis process: the steps leading up to the thesis, the development of a thesis proposal, the review of thesis proposal, writing the thesis, the oral defense of the thesis, final review and duplication of the thesis, and continuing work beyond completion of the thesis.
Applying for graduation
Graduation is not automatic upon completion of degree requirements. An Application for Graduation may be obtained online or in the Graduate Division office. Complete and submit the form to the Cashier's Office with the appropriate fee as early as the semester before you expect to graduate, but no later than the deadline for the term in which you want to graduate (approximately the 2nd week of the semester).
Graduate students who have applied for graduation in Fall 2006, Spring 2007, and Summer 2007 will receive information about commencement in late March. Information regarding commencement is also available online at the SDSU Commencement Web site.
► Areas of Study
Explore the School of Journalism & Media Studies undergraduate and graduate programs.
► Activities
From clubs and publications to internships and study abroad programs, JMS students have plenty of opportunities to enrich their educations.
► Faculty & Staff
Meet the JMS faculty and staff, find contact information, and more.
► Graduate Courses
Read course descriptions for all graduate seminars offered by the School of Journalism & Media Studies