Media Arts, M.A.
Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30 hours
The Master of Arts program in Media 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 media studies, media management, or media production track should possess a professional or academic background in mass communication and media. Students interested in the film theory and criticism track 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.
Classes are taught by 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 Media Arts M.A. program one of the most attractive in the Midwest.
Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards
Admission Requirements Snapshot
GPA: 2.7
Entrance Exam: N/A
International Application Deadline: July 1 (Fall)
Application Deadline for Assistantship Consideration: February 1
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. Students lacking appropriate preparatory course work may be admitted with stipulations.
International applicants must present a score of 250 CBT (Computer-Based Test) or 600 PBT (Paper-based Test) or 100 iBT (internet-Based test) or better on the International TOEFL, or a score of 7.0 or better on the IELTS.
Program Requirements
Core Courses (12 hours)
| MCA 600 | Introduction to Research and Graduate Study in Media | 3(3-0) |
| MCA 601 | Theories of Mass Communication | 3(3-0) |
| MCA 603 | Qualitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
| MCA 604 | Quantitative Mass Communication Research Methods | 3(3-0) |
Tracks (18 hours)
Select one of the following tracks:
Track 1: Media Production (18 hours)
Required Courses I (3 hours)
| MCA 575 | Film Theory and Criticism | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (9 hours)
Select three of the following:
| MCA 521 | Advanced Cinematography | 3(2-2) |
| MCA 522 | Audio Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| MCA 531 | Client Based Video Production | 3(2-2) |
| MCA 532 | Advanced Video/Multimedia Post-Production | 3(2-2) |
| MCA 533 | Advanced Theory and Practice for Content Creators | 3(2-2) |
| MCA 542 | Contemporary Recording and Mixing | 3(2-2) |
Required Courses III (3 hours)
| MCA 730 | Plan B Project Research | 3(3-0) |
Electives (3 hours)
Select from any graduate-level course in the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media. Courses should be selected in consultation with the school graduate coordinator.
Track 2: Media Management (18 hours)
Required Courses I (6 hours)
Required Courses II (3 hours)
Select one of the following:
| MCA 533 | Advanced Theory and Practice for Content Creators | 3(2-2) |
| MCA 534 | Media Content Distribution and Business | 3(3-0) |
| MCA 540WI | Music Industry and Business | 3(3-0) |
| MCA 571 | Telecommunications Media Policy | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses III (3-6 hours)
Select one of the following:
Electives (3-6 hours)
Select from any graduate-level course in the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media. Courses should be selected in consultation with the school graduate coordinator.
Track 3: Film Theory & Criticism (18 hours)
Required Courses I (3 hours)
| MCA 575 | Film Theory and Criticism | 3(3-0) |
Required Courses II (6 hours)
Select two of the following:
| MCA 525 | Film Genre Study | 3-9(Spec) |
| MCA 527 | Film Directors | 3-9(Spec) |
| MCA 528 | History and Analysis of Documentary Film | 3(2-2) |
Required Courses III (3-6 hours)
Select one of the following:
Electives (3-6 hours)
Select from any graduate-level courses in the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media. Courses should be selected in consultation with the school graduate coordinator.
MCA 525 and MCA 527 are variable content courses and can be repeated once as electives for this program if content is not replicated.
Track 4: Media Studies (18 hours)
Required Courses I (3-6 hours)
Select one of the following:
Electives (12-15 hours)
Select from any graduate-level courses in the School of Communication, Journalism, and Media. Courses should be selected in consultation with the school graduate coordinator.
Total: 30 semester hours