MASTER OF ARTS IN MEDIA, CULTURE AND SOCIETY

The MA in Media, Culture & Society is an interdisciplinary program that combines theoretical study, historical perspective and practical application for understanding the cultural and social implications of our rapidly changing digital media worlds. Students consider how corporate and government policies shape media industries and how individuals form identities through interactive media use. The program offers conceptual frameworks in media and cultural theory for understanding the power of media in society, with a particular emphasis on issues of race, class, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, nation and globalization. Students have access to state-of-the-art digital media production facilities and instruction from practicing media professionals in Chicago. The program is designed for those seeking to further their professional careers in the media fields or to prepare for a Ph.D. program. The program includes a 5-year BA/MA option for continuing DePaul students.

Admission TO MA IN MEDIA, CULTURE AND SOCIETY

A bachelor's degree, or equivalent, is required for admission to this program. To be admitted, applicants must demonstrate, through past academic or professional work, a capacity for achievement. The Department of Communication looks at each application as a unique presentation of a candidate's profile and will consider a variety of information sources. Admission decisions are based on the following:

• An official undergraduate transcript (minimum grade point average 3.0 on a 4-point scale)
• A completed application form
• A Statement of Purpose (750 words) explaining why the student is seeking admission to the program
• A writing sample (a research paper that demonstrates the applicant's ability to synthesize and analyze scholarly work or a work-related document that demonstrates the candidate’s engagement with media-related projects)
• Two letters of recommendation written by work supervisors and/or faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional achievements
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• GRE scores are not required, but may be submitted to strengthen an application
• For students who completed their undergraduate education outside of the U.S. and who are not native speakers of English, a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) is also required.

ADMISSION TO FIVE-YEAR BA IN COMMUNICATION/MA IN MEDIA, CULTURE AND SOCIETY

Students seeking admission to the five-year BA in Communication and Media/MA in Media, Culture & Society must:

• Apply for the program in their junior year.
• Apply only after completing the three College of Communication core requirements (CMN 101, CMN 203, CMN 110).
• Take three Media, Culture and Sociaty (MCS) graduate courses in their senior year. These courses cannot be used to replace their core major requirements but can be used to replace communication electives, open electives, or Radio/TV/Film track electives. The three graduate courses count toward their BA in Communication.
• Fill out an application form
• Submit an official undergraduate transcript (minimum grade point average of 3.50 in Communication courses and an overall GPA of 3.00 on a 4-point scale)
• Provide a Statement of Purpose (750 words) explaining why the student is seeking admission to the program
• Submit a writing sample (research paper that demonstrates the applicant's ability to synthesize and analyze scholarly work)
• Submit two letters of recommendation from professors in the College of Communication
• Submit a copy of their official course record  

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Students must complete 48 credit hours (12 four-credit courses). All students take four core courses and eight additional courses from a Comprehensive Exam, Thesis or Project option.

Four Core Courses:

MCS 501  Introduction to Media Studies

MCS 502   Media and Cultural Studies

MCS 503   Global Media

DC    525   Digital Media Practicum

Comprehensive Exam Option : Students choose up to two media production electives and six to eight critical studies electives. Students must complete a four and one-half hour in-class comprehensive exam.

Thesis Option : Students take two thesis courses, up to two media production electives and four to six critical studies electives.

Project Option . Students take two project development courses, up to four media production electives and two to six critical studies electives.

Critical Studies Electives include:

MCS 520   Topics in Media Studies

MCS 521   Topics in Cinema Studies

MCS 530   New Media and Culture

MCS 531   Media Policy

MCS 532   Asian Cinema/Media

MCS 533   Latin American Cinema/Media

MCS 534   Documentary Studies

MCS 592   Independent Study

MCS 599   Thesis/Project Supervision.

CMN 591   Internship

Media Production Electives include:

MCS 541   Audio Documentary

MCS 542   Topics in Production

DC    415   Advanced Sound Design

DC    420   Advanced Non-linear Editing

DC    471   Documentary Production

DC    475   Advanced Cinematography

ENG 486   Document Design

ENG 409   Online Documentation/Writing and Technology

NMS 520   Web Design I

NMS 521   Web Design II

MCS 599   Thesis/Project Supervision.

CMN 591   Internship

Please visit http://communication.depaul.edu/ for more information about the program, course descriptions, and application materials. If you do not have a password for Campus Connection you may log on as a guest.