Program Description
The goal of the Master of Science program in Mass Communication is to prepare students for careers in mass communications management, journalism and mass communication education, and for further graduate study. Emphasis is on the application of communication theory, media management, mass communication research techniques, and ethics to the practice, management and teaching of mass communication.
The program has two options. The Thesis Option is mainly for students who want to teach at a college or obtain a higher academic degree. Students take 34 hours and write a thesis, a scholarly paper of about 100 pages based on original research. The Project/Creative Component Option is for students who mainly want to advance in their careers. Students take 34 hours and do a professional project or creative work that incorporates mass communication concepts. Projects can include a series of stories about health care for children or a management plan for a radio station. Creative components can include projects such as a documentary or promotional video. The student must also write a shorter paper for the creative component.
While we do not focus on practical training in these journalism courses, there are opportunities to continue gaining professional experience. We have a public radio station here on campus (KOSU) that is always looking for feature story contributions. A few of our students have also worked part-time in the past at television news operations in Oklahoma City and Tulsa.
Admission Requirements
The school's Graduate Faculty assess several factors to determine an applicant's admission to the program. These factors include undergraduate GPA, GPA in mass communication courses if taken, work experience, GRE scores, student career goals and their compatibility with our program. Students entering our graduate programs typically meet the following requirements:
- An
undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better. If mass communication
courses have been taken, a grade point average of 3.0 is desired
- A
minimum Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test score of 975 (with
a desired minimum verbal score of 490). Please send test scores
to institution code 6546 and use department code 4503.
- Previous
media experience or an undergraduate major in a mass communication-related
discipline is highly preferred, but not required.
Additionally,
applicants for whom English is a second language:
- An applicant who has not or will not have completed a baccalaureate or graduate degree from a college or university where English is the primary teaching language, and which is located in a country where English is a primary language, is required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. Applicants must have a TOEFL score of 100 for the internet-based TOEFL (600 on the paper-based TOEFL) or equivalant on the IELTS.
The
Graduate Faculty may admit students on a probationary basis who
are close to these requirements.
The application deadline for assistantships is March 31. Media skills are strongly preferred.
Financial Aid
The School has several graduate assistantships that waive out-of-state tuition and provide monthly stipends. Application deadline is March 31 annually, and awards are competitive, based on an applicant's skills, experience and potential for assisting regular faculty.
Candidates are eligible for a limited number of scholarships.
Numerous other university wide aid programs providing tuition waivers, fellowships, scholarships, grants, loans, and employment for graduate students are available.
Graduate Faculty List
Jami Fullerton, Associate Professor
B.A., Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Oklahoma
M.J.,
Advertising, University of North Texas
Ph.D., Higher Education Administration, University of North Texas
Research Interests:
Advertising Education
Cross-Cultural Communications
Portrayal of Women in the Media
Bobbi Kay Hooper
B.S., Advertising, Oklahoma State University;
M.S., Mass Communication, Oklahoma State University
Research Interests: Advertising, Communication and Religion.
Stanley
Ketterer, Associate Professor
B.A., Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia
M.E., Education, University of Missouri-Columbia
Ph.D., Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia
Research Interests:
Computer-Assisted and Crime Reporting
Journalism Education
Media Convergence
New Media
Newspapers
John
McGuire, Assistant Professor
B.A., Broadcast-Business, Northwest Missouri State University
M.A., History, Northwest Missouri State University
Ph.D., Communication, University of Missouri-Columbia
Research Interests:
Political Communication
Sports Journalism and Sports Broadcast Distribution Systems
Television Genres
Lori
Melton McKinnon, Associate Professor
B.A., Broadcast Journalism, Arizona State University
M.S., Journalism and Mass Communication, Oklahoma State University
Ph.D., Journalism, University of Missouri-Columbia
Research Interests:
Mediated Political Communication:
Campaign Communication
Political Advertising and "Ad Watch" Coverage
Political Public Relations
Presidential Debates
Joey
Senat, Associate Professor
B.A., Journalism, Louisiana State University
M.A., Journalism, Memphis State University
Ph.D., Journalism and Mass Communication, University of North Carolina-Chapel
Hill
Research Interests:
Mass Communication Law
Internet
Tom
Weir, Associate Professor
B.S., Journalism-Advertising, University of Kansas
M.S., Journalism-New Media, University of Missouri School of Journalism
Ph.D., Journalism-New Media, University of Missouri School of Journalism
Research Interests:
Advertising and Marketing
Information Seeking
Journalism Education
Knowledge Gap
New Media Technology and Motivation
