Broadcast and Cinematic Arts, M.A.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 33 hours
The Master of Arts program in Broadcast and Cinematic Arts offers opportunities for both industry professionals seeking new skills and recent undergraduates desiring to pursue advanced study in electronic media or film theory and criticism. Students interested in the electronic media studies, electronic media management, or electronic media production concentrations should possess a professional or academic background in mass communication. Students interested in the film theory and criticism concentration should have a background in film, mass communication, speech, or literary studies.
Graduate students can complete coursework in formal classroom, seminar, and independent study settings, leading to a concentration in:
- electronic media studies,
- electronic media management,
- film theory and criticism, or
- electronic media production.
Classes are taught by a faculty possessing diverse professional and theoretical backgrounds. In addition, many students supplement their studies with offerings from Interpersonal and Public Communication, Political Science, English, and Journalism. One-on-one advising and personalized course study with members of the graduate faculty make the Broadcast and Cinematic Arts M.A. program one of the most attractive in the Midwest.
For an application, catalog, and graduate assistant information contact Michelle Kalisek, BCA Administrative Assistant at kalis1m@cmich.edu (989) 774-3851 or Amy Sindik, Graduate Coordinator, School of Broadcast & Cinematic Arts, 340 Moore Hall, Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI 48859.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirements Snapshot
GPA: 2.7
Entrance Exam: N/A
Interna'tl Application Deadline: July 1 (Fall), Oct. 1 (Spring)
See Admission Requirement Details Below
To receive regular admission to the program, a student must attain an undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale. Additional preparatory course work or particular courses may be required. All students applying to the Electronic Media Production concentration in BCA must submit a skills-based resume and a demo reel of their best audio and/or video production work with their application.
International applicants must present a TOEFL score of at least 550 (213 CBT or 79 Internet or IELTS of 6.5).
Program Requirements
Select one of the following concentrations:
Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Electronic Media Studies
In consultation with the School of BCA graduate advisor, M.A. students may choose Plan A or B. Plan A consists of course work, thesis (6 hours), and oral defense of the thesis. The oral examination may also include subject matter related to course work.
Students on Plan B must satisfactorily complete an independent research project (3 hours) and an oral examination related to the independent research and course work.
Required Courses I (12 hours)
| BCA 600 | Introduction to Electronic Media Research and Writing | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 601 | Theories of Mass Communication | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 603 | Qualitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 604 | Quantitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (6 hours)
Select two of the following:
| BCA 513 | Media Entrepreneurship | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 611 | Seminar in Telecommunications Media Policy | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 612 | Electronic Media Seminar | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 625 | Film Theory and Criticism | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses III (3-6 hours)
Select one of the following:
Electives (9-12 hours)
Select from the following:
| BCA 503WI | Critiquing Mass Media | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 506WI | Series Script Writing For Visual Media | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 508WI | Screenwriting for Cinematic Narrative | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 510 | Electronic Media Law | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 511 | Electronic Media Sales | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 512 | Electronic Media Promotion | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 513 | Media Entrepreneurship | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 515 | Sports Broadcasting | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 516WI | Electronic Media Management | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 517 | Advanced Electronic Media Performance | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 518 | Electronic News Reporting | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 519 | Electronic Media Programming | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 520 | Special Topics in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
| BCA 521 | Advanced Electronic Cinematography | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 522 | Audio Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 524 | Producing Live Television | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 525 | Film Genre Study | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 527 | Film Directors | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 528 | History and Analysis of Documentary Film | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 529 | Internship in Electronic Media-Film | 2-6(Spec) |
| BCA 531 | Industrial and Educational Video/Media Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 532 | Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 533 | Advanced Electronic Media Design | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 540WI | Recording Industry and Business | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 560 | Radio Operations I | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 561 | Radio Operations II | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 611 | Seminar in Telecommunications Media Policy | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 612 | Electronic Media Seminar | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 619 | Continuing Registration for Final Research Project | 1(1-0) |
| BCA 625 | Film Theory and Criticism | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 720 | Special Topics in Mass Media | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 729 | Advanced Independent Study in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
Note: Students may take a maximum of 9 hours outside of BCA.
Total: 33 semester hours
Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Film Theory and Criticism
In consultation with the School of BCA graduate advisor, M.A. students may choose Plan A or B. Plan A consists of course work, thesis (6 hours), and oral defense of the thesis. The oral examination may also include subject matter related to course work.
Students on Plan B must satisfactorily complete an independent research project (3 hours) and an oral examination related to the independent research and course work.
Required Courses I (18 hours)
| BCA 528 | History and Analysis of Documentary Film | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 600 | Introduction to Electronic Media Research and Writing | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 601 | Theories of Mass Communication | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 603 | Qualitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 604 | Quantitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 625 | Film Theory and Criticism | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (3-6 hours)
Select one of the following:
Electives (9-12 hours)
Select hours from the following:
| BCA 503WI | Critiquing Mass Media | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 506WI | Series Script Writing For Visual Media | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 508WI | Screenwriting for Cinematic Narrative | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 513 | Media Entrepreneurship | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 520 | Special Topics in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
| BCA 521 | Advanced Electronic Cinematography | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 522 | Audio Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 525 | Film Genre Study | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 527 | Film Directors | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 611 | Seminar in Telecommunications Media Policy | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 612 | Electronic Media Seminar | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 619 | Continuing Registration for Final Research Project | 1(1-0) |
| BCA 720 | Special Topics in Mass Media | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 729 | Advanced Independent Study in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
Note: Students may take a maximum of 9 hours outside of BCA.
Total: 33 semester hours
Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Electronic Media Management
In consultation with the School of BCA graduate advisor, M.A. students may choose Plan A or B. Plan A consists of course work, thesis (6 hours), and oral defense of the thesis. The oral examination may also include subject matter related to course work.
Students on Plan B must satisfactorily complete an independent research project (3 hours) and an oral examination related to the independent research and course work.
Required Courses I (21 hours)
| BCA 513 | Media Entrepreneurship | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 516WI | Electronic Media Management | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 600 | Introduction to Electronic Media Research and Writing | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 601 | Theories of Mass Communication | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 603 | Qualitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 604 | Quantitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 611 | Seminar in Telecommunications Media Policy | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
| BCA 519 | Electronic Media Programming | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 533 | Advanced Electronic Media Design | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 540WI | Recording Industry and Business | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses III (3-6 hours)
Select one of the following:
Electives (3-6 hours)
Select from the following:
| BCA 503WI | Critiquing Mass Media | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 510 | Electronic Media Law | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 511 | Electronic Media Sales | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 512 | Electronic Media Promotion | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 519 | Electronic Media Programming | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 524 | Producing Live Television | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 529 | Internship in Electronic Media-Film | 2-6(Spec) |
| BCA 533 | Advanced Electronic Media Design | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 540WI | Recording Industry and Business | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 560 | Radio Operations I | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 561 | Radio Operations II | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 612 | Electronic Media Seminar | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 729 | Advanced Independent Study in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
Total: 33 semester hours
Broadcast and Cinematic Arts: Electronic Media Production
Students on Plan B must satisfactorily complete an independent production project (3 hours) and an oral examination related to the independent research and course work.
Required Courses I (18 hours)
| BCA 600 | Introduction to Electronic Media Research and Writing | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 601 | Theories of Mass Communication | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 603 | Qualitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 604 | Quantitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 625 | Film Theory and Criticism | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 729 | Advanced Independent Study in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
Required Courses II (6 hours)
Select two of the following:
| BCA 521 | Advanced Electronic Cinematography | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 522 | Audio Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 531 | Industrial and Educational Video/Media Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 532 | Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 533 | Advanced Electronic Media Design | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 542 | Contemporary Recording and Mixing | 3(2-2) |
Note: BCA 542 is offered in Summer only.
Required Courses III (3 hours)
| BCA 730 | Plan B Project Research | 3(3-0) |
Electives (6 hours)
| BCA 506WI | Series Script Writing For Visual Media | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 508WI | Screenwriting for Cinematic Narrative | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 515 | Sports Broadcasting | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 517 | Advanced Electronic Media Performance | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 518 | Electronic News Reporting | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 520 | Special Topics in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
| BCA 521 | Advanced Electronic Cinematography | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 522 | Audio Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 524 | Producing Live Television | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 525 | Film Genre Study | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 527 | Film Directors | 3-9(Spec) |
| BCA 528 | History and Analysis of Documentary Film | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 529 | Internship in Electronic Media-Film | 2-6(Spec) |
| BCA 531 | Industrial and Educational Video/Media Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 532 | Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 533 | Advanced Electronic Media Design | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 540WI | Recording Industry and Business | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 542 | Contemporary Recording and Mixing | 3(2-2) |
| BCA 560 | Radio Operations I | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 561 | Radio Operations II | 3(1-4) |
| BCA 611 | Seminar in Telecommunications Media Policy | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 612 | Electronic Media Seminar | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 513 | Media Entrepreneurship | 3(3-0) |
| BCA 729 | Advanced Independent Study in Electronic Media | 1-9(Spec) |
Notes:
Student may take up to 6 credits of BCA 729 as an elective.
BCA 560 and 561 are offered in Summer only.
Total: 33 semester hours