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Columbia Campus    
2016-2017 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) 
    
 
  Dec 07, 2024
 
2016-2017 Graduate Studies Bulletin (Archived Copy) [Archived Catalog]

Journalism and Mass Communications, M.M.C.


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The M.M.C. emphasizes media management and is designed primarily for those who wish to become professionals in some aspect of mass communications. Students enrolled in the M.M.C. program do not write a thesis but are required to complete a minimum of 36 hours of course work, including a professional practicum experience with a newspaper, magazine, television or radio station, advertising or public relations department or agency, or some other approved mass media-related organization.

Required courses include the basic M.M.C. core and a minimum of 18 hours of directed electives as listed below. Some of the electives are taught in the Moore School of Business.

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate professional competence in a specialized area of mass communication, such as integrated communications or journalism. Students will show that they understand the principles, processes, strategies, and tactics involved in the profession. 
  • Students will demonstrate effective writing skills. Students  writing should show evidence of clear and critical thinking, and an understanding of proper grammar, sentence and paragraph structure, organization, transition, and tempo. 
  • Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of research and its importance in the fields of journalism, integrated and mass communication. Students should also show knowledge of various research designs and data collection methods, as well as how to report and interpret research results. 
  • Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of management issues related to media and mass communication. Students will demonstrate familiarity with contemporary issues facing media and communication managers. Students will also show knowledge of how to plan an effective integrated communications campaign and/or manage an effective media-related initiative or organization. 
  • Students will demonstrate a thorough understanding of mass media law. This knowledge should include an understanding of various areas such as libel, privacy, access to public information, regulation of commercial speech, copyright and related matters, and the philosophical considerations involved in issues related to free speech. 

Degree Requirements (36 Hours)

To earn the M.M.C. degree, a student must successfully complete:

2. Electives (18 Hours)


A minimum of 18 directed elective hours from an approved list provided by the school, depending on the student’s interests as approved by the student’s academic advisor and the associate director for graduate studies.

3. Comprehensive Examination


The comprehensive examination consists of a first-day, five-hour written examination based on the M.M.C. core courses and a second-day, five-hour written examination based on the student’s elective hours and practicum-related experience.

4. Oral Examination


An oral examination in defense of the second-day examination.

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