Curriculum

Writing or producing a thesis is an opportunity to crystallize, display, and extend ideas and skills that you have acquired in the program. The thesis project should be a synthesis of the knowledge you have acquired through the program. A thesis often serves as a foundation for ongoing creative work or the basis for an article or articles to be submitted for publication. It can be used as evidence of serious scholarship and/or professional production skills in applying for PhD programs or professional employment.

If you have an interest in pursuing a thesis, it is recommended that you attend an information session and complete your research methods course requirement in your first 18 credits of study. You may enroll in Thesis Proposal Lab (1 credit) only after completing 18 credits. If you have questions about submitting a thesis proposal and/or registering for thesis courses, contact [email protected].

• Thesis Handbook
• Thesis Completion Deadline

Students pursuing the non-thesis option complete a three-credit elective that is designated as their non-thesis culminating experience (capstone). As with all course selections, students should consult with their advisors to ensure that they are making good progress toward their learning goals and degree completion. 

The MA in Media Studies is designated a STEM-eligible program under the CIP* code 09.0702 Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia. All students in the program must take six credits of Digital Technology coursework. These courses can be part of the existing seminar, production, and elective requirements.

This is a list of current courses we offer that count for the Digital Technology requirement; new courses can be added to it if they qualify. 

You may take courses outside the School of Media Studies to fulfill your elective requirements with special permission. Graduate Minors

You can also use your elective courses to complete one of the university's graduate minors, which provide a structured, accessible way to complement your primary course of study with fresh ways of thinking. Your graduate minor is officially recorded on your transcript. 

Our online courses allow you to complete some or all of the requirements for the MA in Media Studies from anywhere in the world. Online-only students are integrated into the Media Studies community via remote access to the New Student Orientation and online access to program advisors.

All the requirements for the MA—Media Theory, media practices, and research methods—are offered online in both synchronous and asynchronous modalities. Seminar courses in history, theory, and criticism are also offered online; these courses either are online only or mirror on-site courses. Practice and projects studio courses offered online utilize software available for free to all students.

Online-only students can earn credit through internships and assistantships (maximum of 6 credits—3 in production and 3 in research).