|
|
FOR THOSE SEEKING INFORMATION about our graduate program, we want you to know that we appreciate your inquiry. We're interested in you, and we will do our best to answer your questions and to provide the information you want. If you already have made your decision to earn your Master of Arts in Journalism degree at the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, we welcome you into the program.
This material is designed to help both those considering entering our program and those already enrolled. The graduate coordinator has produced this guide by addressing the questions most frequently asked and the information most often sought by our students. The information is organized topically to enable you to identify quickly the specific information you need at any time during your pursuit of the degree.
This publication is an attempt by the faculty to do a conscientious job of meeting your needs, anticipating your questions, and reducing your potential problems. We want you to know from the beginning of your studies until your graduation what is expected of you, what your status is in your program, and what you may expect from us. Use this as a guide, and do not be reluctant to ask questions if you need additional information.
Let us re-emphasize: We are interested in you! If you are looking for a challenging program with high standards and a solid record of accomplishment, we would like to have you as a member of our graduate family.
THE GRADUATE CATALOG | Students are responsible for making themselves knowledgeable of all requirements, guidelines, and deadlines included in the Graduate Catalog.
The graduate coordinator, who serves as academic adviser for all journalism graduate students, and all other faculty members are available for guidance. However, the responsibility for satisying requirements and for meeting deadlines is each student's.
Click Here for the list of SOJMC graduate courses.
ADMISSION TO GRADUATE SCHOOL |
You must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and complete the information requested on the Application for Graduate Admission form. In addition, a minimum total of 1200 on the Graduate Record Examination is required for students who completed their bachelor's degree program with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A minimum total of 1500 is required for students who completed their bachelor's degree program with a grade point average of 2.25 to 2.99 on a 4.0 scale. The application for admission should be filed in the Graduate Admissions Office.
After you are officially enrolled, you must schedule an appointment with the graduate program coordinator in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications (304/696-2729 or 304/696-2360). The graduate coordinator will explain the general or "core" requirements, discuss with you your area(s) of professional interest, and design a program of courses that not only will satisfy graduation requirements but also will fit as many as possible of your individual academic/professional needs.
International students must demonstrate English language skills sufficient to perform at the graduate level. Undergraduate course work designed to improve students' proficiency in writing and in speaking English may be required regardless of students' previous course work or professional experience. A minimum TOEFL score of 525 is required for admission, and international students must complete the Graduate Record Examination no later than during their first semester in the program. GRE minimum score requirements are the same as those previously listed.
GENERAL OR CORE REQUIREMENTS | Perhaps the major appeal of the graduate program in journalism and mass communications is its flexibility. Recognizing applicants' wide-ranging professional and academic interests, the faculty has developed a relatively small core of required courses and permits each student considerable flexibility in determiningÑin consultation with and approval from the graduate coordinatorÑthe remainder of the program.
The core courses are JMC 601, Theory of Mass Communication; JMC 602, Mass Communications Research and Methodology; JMC 502, Law of Mass Communication, or JMC 535, Radio-Television Law and Regulation; JMC 504, History of American Journalism and Mass Communications; and JMC 540, Mass Communications Ethics. Educational Foundations EdF 517, Statistical Methods, also is required for students who have not completed a statistics course that meets the approval of the graduate coordinator. EdF 517 and JMC 601 are prerequisties for JMC 602. The student's choice between JMC 502 and JMC 535 must be approved by the graduate coordinator. Also with the approval of the graduate coordinator, a substitute course for JMC 504 may be made by international students.
Students who recently completed at the undergraduate level one or more of the 500-level core courses may be permitted by the graduate coordinator to take substitute courses. Students permitted to take substitute courses will still be tested in all core-course areas on the comprehensive examination.
TWO TRACKS: PROFESSIONAL OR THESIS |
Students may choose from professional or thesis tracks. The professional track requires a minimum of 36 graduate hours, any undergraduate courses determined by the graduate coordinator to be necessary, and the comprehensive examination. The thesis track requires a minimum of 27 graduate hours, a five-credit-hour thesis, any undergraduate courses determined by the graduate coordinator to be necessary, and the comprehensive examination. The thesis track is appropriate for students planning to pursue doctoral degrees and for others with a special interest in research.
A minor consisting of a minimum of six hours in one subject area may be approved by the graduate coordinator. Students who enter the master's program without undergraduate preparation in journalism and mass communications and also without relevant professional experience may be permitted by the graduate coordinator to complete all of their course work in journalism and mass communications.
THESIS REQUIREMENTS | Students who choose the thesis option have a number of additional requirements ranging from forming a committee to meeting several deadlines. A thesis director and other thesis committee members assist throughout the process, but meeting the requirements is the student's responsibility.
TRANSFER CREDIT | A maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate credit relevant to the student's major field of study may be accepted by the dean of the Graduate School with the recommendation of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. A minimum grade of "B" is required in each course transferred.
Transfer credit can be used to satisfy credit hour requirements for graduation but will not become a part of the student's grade point average at Marshall University. All transfer credit must meet time requirements established for the completion of the graduate degree.The School of Journalism and Mass Communications will not accept transfer credit for courses in the core requirements (See General or Core Requirements).
GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS |
Students may apply for graduate assistantships by writing to the Graduate Coordinator, W. Page Pitt School of Journalism and Mass Communications, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25755-2622. Send a letter of application, a resume, and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of three references.
A limited number of full- and half-time assistantships are available. They include a wavier of tuition and some fees for the fall and/or spring semesters and a stipend.
PROFESSIONAL INTERNSHIPS |
The school has an outstanding internship program in which graduate students may receive three semester hours of credit toward their degree. Most interns also receive a salary from their employer. Internships must be arranged through and approved by the Director of Internships.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS |
The school has chapters of The Society of Professional Journalists, the Public Relations Student Society of America, the Advertising Club (of the American Advertising Federation), the International Radio and Television Society, and the National Association of Black Journalists.
ADMISSION TO CANDIDACY |
After a student has completed a minimum of 9 hours of graduate work, he or she must complete a Plan of Study/Admission to Candidacy form. At least two of the courses must be from the required core (explained previously), and the student must have maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in journalism and mass communications courses and in any courses taken in other academic areas.
The candidacy application information must be typed and submitted in triplicate. It presents the student's completed course work, courses currently enrolled in, and courses proposed to complete the degree requirements. The form requires the signatures of the student, the graduate coordinator, and the dean of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications. After the form is submitted, it must be approved by the dean of The Graduate School.
THE WRITTEN COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION | A written comprehensive examination is required. The examination is not based exclusively on the specific courses completed but affords the student an opportunity to demonstrate comprehensive knowledge of the major field. The five-part examination covers, but is not limited to, mass communications theory, research, law, ethics, and journalism and mass communications history.
The comprehensive examination should be taken during the student's final semester of course work. Requests to take the examination earlier or later must be approved by the graduate coordinator. The student must complete and submit the appropriate application form before the deadline (usually during the first month of the semester). The graduate coordinator will provide assistance in filling out the form. To receive a passing grade, a student must answer the questions in all five sections and receive a passing grade in at least four of the five sections. Students are permitted three attempts to pass.
APPLYING FOR GRADUATION |
Students must apply for graduation before the deadline during the first month of the semester in which they graduate. Students planning to graduate during a summer term are asked to apply before the end of the spring semester.
GRADUATION & THE HOODING CEREMONY | Marshall University has one commencement each year in May for summer, fall and spring graduates. The Graduate Student Association sponsors a "hooding" ceremony the previous evening, providing graduates an opportunity to be recognized individually by being presented and "hooded" by a graduate faculty member of their choice. |
|
