Program Overview

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Master of Arts - Journalism and Media Studies

About

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

Available Options

• Thesis Track
• Non-Thesis, Professional Paper Track
• Non-Thesis, Strategic Digital and Social Media Track

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please refer to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

• Develop a grounding in mass communication theory.
• Achieve competencies in research methodologies relevant to the field.
• Develop critical thinking necessary for careers in higher education or management in the media industries.
• Balance the discipline's varied traditions in theoretical, historical, and applied research, with particular attention to the shifting media landscape.

Career Possibilities

The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism and Media Studies prepares students to become effective professionals in broadcast journalism, integrated marketing communication, (advertising and public relations) and print journalism. Faculty engage students in a supportive environment of scholarship and service, stressing theoretical and practical knowledge, critical thinking and social responsibility.

Greenspun Hall is one of the most innovative journalism buildings in the country, emphasizing a converged media curricula for the dissemination of messages via a multitude of platforms. The new facility enables journalism and media studies faculty and students to explore the limits of new technologies and to develop innovative partnerships between traditional and emerging media.

Career Options for Journalism and Media Studies Majors

• Advertising Coordinator
• Announcers
• Broadcasting
• Correspondents
• Editors
• Media Operators
• News Analysts
• Public Relations Specialist
• Reporters
• Writers

Requirements

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.

Plan Admission Requirements

(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements

1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee.
2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.
3. 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).
4. 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.

(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:

1. 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.
2. A letter of intent detailing the applicant's goals and expectations as a graduate student in journalism and media studies.
3. A writing sample such as a college course term paper.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Journalism & Media Studies - Thesis

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits by completing all of the following courses:

• JMS 710 - Graduate Journalism and Media Studies: Overview, resources, and communicating research
• JMS 712 - Quantitative Research Methods
• JMS 730 - Journalism and Media Theory

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.

Thesis – Credits: 6

• JMS 798 - Thesis

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.

Subplan 2: Journalism & Media Studies - Professional Paper

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits by completing all of the following courses:

• JMS 710 - Graduate Journalism and Media Studies: Overview, resources, and communicating research
• JMS 712 - Quantitative Research Methods
• JMS 730 - Journalism and Media Theory

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: Strategic Digital and Social Media

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Required Courses – Credits: 9

Complete 9 credits by completing all of the following courses:

• JMS 710 - Graduate Journalism and Media Studies: Overview, resources, and communicating research
• JMS 712 - Quantitative Research Methods
• JMS 740 - Strategic Digital Storytelling

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:

• JMS 699 - Professional Internship
• JMS 795 - Independent Study

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.