Department of Mass Communication

Graduate Degree Requirements

MA in Public Relations MS in Journalism

The MA Degree in Public Relations

Required Core Courses

PR 601 Theories of Communication
PR 604 Applied Communications Research
PR 605 Media Law and Ethics
PR 609 Writing for the Media
PR 615 Principles of Public Relations
PR 616 Public Relations Campaigns
PR 617 Media Relation

21 Total Credits

Culminating Experience

PR 980 Thesis/Project Preparation
PR 981 Thesis/Project

- Or -

Test Option (0 credits)
Comprehensive Exam
1 - 10 Page Paper

Thesis/ Project

6 Total Credits

Elective Courses

PR 611 Corporate Communication
PR 613 Organizational Communication
PR 618 Public Relations for Non-Profit Organization
PR 621 Writing for Organizations
PR 622 Electronic Graphics and Publication Design
PR 623 Fundraising for Institutional Development
PR 624 Business and Professional Presentations
PR 625 International Communication
PR 628 Public Relations for Entertainment and Sports
PR 629 Converged Technologies
PR 631 Integrated Marketing Communication
PR 638 Investor Relations
PR 639 Community and Government Relations
PR 691-5 Special Topics in Communication
PR 699 Internship in Communication
PR 999 Independent Study in Communication

9 or 15 Credits

Option A (Thesis/ Project)

Graduation Equation:

Core Courses (7)

Thesis/Project (2)

Electives (3)

Total 36 Credits

Option B (Culminating Experience)*

Graduation Equation:

Core Courses (7)

Electives (5)

Total 36 Credits

* includes a 4-hour exam and a 10-page paper

Graduation Requirements:

Completion of the required 36 credits, including the seven core courses and three electives for option A or five electives for option B.
A minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
Acceptance of the Thesis/Project or a Pass on both the Comprehensive Examination and 10-page paper
All requirements must be completed within five years from the date of entry in degree program .

The MS Degree in Journalism

Required Core Courses

JRN 601 Journalism in the Contemporary Society
JRN 602 News Reporting and Writing
JRN 603 Copy Editing
JRN 605 Media Law and Ethics
JRN 617 Online Journalism

15 Total Credits

Elective Courses

Choose six from the following

JRN 612 Magazine Editing
JRN 613 Interpretive Writing
JRN 614 Advanced Reporting
JRN 617 Online Journalism
JRN 620 Feature Writing
JRN 621 Sports Journalism
JRN 622 Electronic Graphics and Publication Design
JRN 626 Media Management and Economics
JRN 629 Converged Technologies
JRN 666 Seminar in Specialized Reporting
JRN 691 Special Topics in Journalism
JRN 699 Practicum in Journalism
JRN 799 Independent Study in Journalism

18 Total Credits

Culminating Experience

JRN 981 Master's Project

3 Total Credits

Graduation Equation

Core (5)

Thesis (1)

Electives (6)

Total: 36 Credits

Graduation Requirements:

Completion of the required 36 credits, including the five core courses and six and JRN 981
A minimum 3.0 G.P.A.
Acceptance of the # Master's Project
All requirements must be completed within five years from the date of entry in the program.