Degree Requirements
This program is designed for students who want to explore the world of video production and/or screenwriting. It is a two-year, 48-credit-hour degree program. Individuals do not need a background in video production to apply successfully for this program. During the first year, students gain an understanding of the field of mass communications and the basic technical and aesthetic skills in video production and writing. After completing 24 credits of the program, students develop a thesis project proposal that will guide them either through the process of researching, shooting and editing a video production, or the process of researching and writing a screenplay or teleplay (along with taking classes per the requirements). The project proposal must be approved by the student’s thesis project committee. Once a student’s thesis committee has approved the project proposal, the student then concentrates on researching, producing or writing the thesis project during the second year of graduate study. To complete this program successfully, a student must defend the thesis project before his or her graduate thesis committee.
SUMMARY OF COURSE WORK
• Required courses: 32 credits (8 classes)
• Electives: 8–16 credits, (2–4 classes, maximum of 12 credit hours, outside the Department of Mass Communications and Journalism Studies)
• Thesis: 1–8 credits (depending on program plan worked out between student and adviser)
• Total: 48 credits
REQUIRED COURSES
• MCOM 4160 Mass Communication Theory (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4222 Experimental Video Theory and Production (5 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4250 Seminar in Critical Studies of Film, Television and Popular Culture (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4260 Qualitative Research Methods (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4300 Issues in Freedom of Expression (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4450 Scriptwriting (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4470 Introduction to Field Production and Editing (4 qrt. hrs.)
• Plus at least one of the following two course sequences:
• Documentary
• MCOM 4219 Documentary Film/Video Production I (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4221 Documentary Film/Video Production II (4 qrt. hrs.)• Narrative
• MCOM 4218 Narrative Film/Video Production I (4 qrt. hrs.)
• MCOM 4220 Narrative Film/Video Production II (4 qrt. hrs.)