Master of Arts Media Communications

The Master of Arts (MA) degree in Media Communications is for students who have a background in communications and a strong interest in global mass media.  It can be completed in 14 months, and requires 21 credits of core courses in addition to 15 credit hours of electives.  (see note 1)

Students without educational background or experience in the communications field are encouraged, but not required to enroll in 6 credit hours of prerequisite coursework.  (see note 2)

The curriculum is also designed for degreed professionals in other fields who would benefit in their career paths by acquiring a broader-based knowledge of the international media. (see note 3)

Finally, students who have already received graduate degrees in other fields may opt for a sequential degree which allows for completion in less than one academic year (based on a full-time schedule). (see note 4)

Accessibility

The MA degree in Media Communications at Webster Geneva is easily accessible to working professionals and those with family or other commitments:

1.  Each course is taught in the evening, once a week, in a four-hour block, leaving daytime hours free for work, family, internships and other obligations (with the exception of the specialized Summer Program).   (see note 5)

2.  Students are permitted to fast-track their Masters coursework with 2-3 courses a term, with their advisor’s approval.  They may also go at a slower pace, with one course per term, dependent on their residential status.

3.  Courses are available online.  (see note 6)

4.  The course schedule is designed so that all students can complete their desired track within the prescribed time frame. (see note 7)

Learning Outcomes

Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Understand the breadth of global media communications;
  • Examine media using multiple perspectives;
  • Examine media in multiple contexts: cultural, political, economical
  • Understand the media as product, process, and commentary;
  • Apply qualitative and quantitative research methodologies;
  • Use research strategies to effectively analyze and assess media effects.

Program Curriculum

The 36 credit hours required for the MA in Media Communications degree must include the following courses (21 required credit hours).

Descriptions of the courses offered on the Geneva campus can be found here.

MEDC 5000     Media Communications (Requisite Course) (3)
MEDC 5310     Media and Culture (3)
MEDC 5350     Media Organizations and Regulations (3)
MEDC 5360     International Communications (3)
MEDC 5400     Media Production Management (3)
MEDC 6000     Seminar in Media Communications (Final) (3)
MEDC Elective – one additional core course from MEDC electives, as determined through consultation with departmental advisor.

MEDC Elective courses;

MEDC 5200     Directed Study in Media Communications (3-6; can repeat once)        
MEDC 5290     Issues in Media Communications (3-6; can repeat once)
MEDC 5300     Strategic Communication (3)
MEDC 5331     Media Communications Production Video (3)
MEDC 5345     Writing for Media Communications:  Journalism (3)
MEDC 5346     Writing for Media Communications:  Interactive Scriptwriting (3)
MEDC 5390     Practicum (3)
MEDC 5401     Media Production Management:  Interactive (3)
MEDC 5430     Media Communications Technology (3)
MEDC 5500     Professional Seminars (Up to 3 credit hours, can be repeated)
MEDC 5550     Topics in Media Communications (3-6; can repeat once)
MEDC 5600     Introduction to Interactive Communications (3)

Note:  The MA in Media Communications is an academic degree, not a fine arts program, and Webster focuses on the acquisition of a firm theoretical foundation in Communications.  However, Webster University Geneva has quality working studios in Audio, Video, Photography and Editing which will be accessible to Master students through workshops and course content. Masters students may also earn Certificates in Journalism, Photography, Documentary and Magazine Production (see note 8).

Interdisciplinary areas at Webster Geneva

Business and Management (see note 9), Human Resources (see note 10) & International Relations (see note 11)

Notes

1. The Core is defined on the main page of this site.  Electives are determined through consultation with the student’s departmental advisor and may include a solid focus on communications courses, or a number of courses in an integrated area of interest.  Examples of this include:  journalism, public relations, business, psychology, international relations, human rights.

2. The selection of prerequisites and electives will depend on the student’s area of academic interest in communications, and determined through consultation with departmental advisors.  Students must earn a grade of “B” or better in the prerequisite courses before they will be allowed to enroll in graduate courses

3. In many cases, our graduate students are not looking for a complete career change, but an enhancement of skills which would better allow them to advance in their chosen field.  For an example, an economist might learn about how the media can be effectively used to educate the public about a program, a psychologist might acquire more information about the impact of social media on clients, someone in business might acquire more knowledge about trademarks and copyright protections in the media, product placement and promotion.)

4. The Transitional Degree accepts that students have already discovered their “specialty” and expertise in their chosen field or career.  Consequently, only the Core Curriculum (7 courses, attainable in one academic year) is required for graduation.

5. The Summer Program is the exception and is a full-time commitment during the Summer Term.  This exciting program is a multidisciplinary field trip practicum designed to take students through a unique on-site experience that will put them hands-on experience with their studies.  Students have preparatory coursework in advance; they then have time to analyze and write up the results of their experience.  The Program often provides the basis of excellent research for the Masters Thesis.

6. Online courses are available through the parent campus in St. Louis and are not specifically designed for the Geneva campus.  Online courses require excellent organizational skills, self-direction, and motivation to master the challenges of this learning environment.

7. The academic year is divided into two semesters (Fall and Spring), consisting of two terms each (Fall 1 & 2, Spring 1 & 2).  Core courses are consistently scheduled so students  will be able to complete requirements (see pdf)

* Fall  1, two required core courses are offered: MEDC 5000 (Media Communications) and MEDC 5360 (international Communications)
* Fall  2, one required core course is offered: MEDC 5310 (Media and Culture) and electives are encouraged.  In the second year (2013-2014), MEDC 6000 will be offered regularly)
* Spring 1, one required core courses is offered: MEDC (International Production Mnget) and electives are encouraged
* Spring 2, one required core course is offered:  MEDC 5350 (Media Organization and Regulations) and electives are encouraged.  (MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications will be offered for Transitional Students only)

The Summer Program is an on-site Field Trip Practicum which will combine a mix of 1) Topic, 2) Professional Seminars, and 3) Elective for up to 9 hours of credit.

8. Webster University Geneva offers a selection of certificate programs:

9. Business and Management courses

BUSN 4110  Operations Management
BUSN 4990  Business Policy
FINC 4300  International Finance
MNGT 4100  International Management
MNGT 4330  International Marketing
MNGT 4570  Marketing Research
MNGT 4900  Management Strategies and Policies
MNGT 4920  Marketing Strategies
MNGT 5000  Management
MNGT 5590  Organizational Behavior
MNGT 5870  Issues in Management        

10. Human Resources courses

HRMG 5000  Managing Human Resources
BUSN 5200  Basic Finance for Managers

11. International Relations courses

ECON 4900  History of Economic Thought
INTL  4280  International Economics
INTL  5050  Area Studies:  Geoplitics
INTL  5100  Research Methods and Perspectives
INTL  5400  International Political Economy
INTL  5540  International Organizations
INTL  5570  Comparative Foreign Policy
INTL 5625  Middle East Area Studies
INTL  700  Humanitarian Issues
POLT 4200  Advance Studies in Political Theory
POLT 4500  Political Science Seminar