SCHOOL of INTERNATIONAL SERVICE

American University · Washington, D.C.

MA, INTERNATIONAL MEDIA

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Admission to the Program:

Applicants must hold an accredited bachelor's degree with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.30 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Some background knowledge of communication studies, or media/journalism professional experience, or international studies and international work experience will be a plus. Student applications will be reviewed jointly by SOC and SIS, with both schools agreeing on student admission. Students should apply either to SIS or SOC, depending on where they intend to complete their research and capstone projects. The School in which the student completes the research and capstone projects will award the degree.

All applicants are required to submit results of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). In addition, international applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). A strong TOEFL score is necessary to ensure that students can fully benefit from the media production courses and analytical courses.

All applicants must submit two letters of reference evaluating undergraduate academic performance and suitability for graduate study in international affairs and communication.

Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA overall to remain in good academic standing, and must receive a "B" or above in all in-lieu of thesis classes. Requests for the transfer of a maximum of six graduate credits will be considered only on an exceptional basis.

Degree Requirements:

45 credits of approved graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of 3.00, including 12 credit hours of designated core courses, 6 credit hours of designated professional courses, 6 credit hours of designated methods courses, and 6 credit hours of research/capstone courses . Students have 15 credit hours of electives. Students must choose a concentration in either SIS or SOC and complete a total of 24 credits hours in that concentration, including their Research/Capstone requirement. Students may not take more than 24 credit hours in either SIS or SOC.
One oral comprehensive examination in the School of International Service. To be eligible to take a comprehensive examination, students must have maintained at least a 3.0 grad point average (on a 4.0 scale) in all graduate course work.
Demonstration of research and writing skills through completion of a substantial research paper requirement. All courses taken to fulfill this requirement must be passed with a grade of B or better.
Proficiency in a modern foreign language. Research competence in English and another language relevant to the student's career objectives must be certified.
Students who take COMM 640 as part of the core curriculum, must take either SIS 628 Global Knowledge Economy or SIS 644 Communication and Social Economic Development as an SIS elective.
Students who take COMM 640 as part of the core curriculum and who complete the Research/Capstone Requirement in SOC may choose only one SOC elective.

Course Requirements:

CORE COURSES (12 credits)

SIS 640 - International Communication
SIS 645 - International Communication Policy
COMM 549 - Topics in International Media

AND ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

SIS 628 - Global Knowledge Economy
SIS 644 - Communication and Social Economic Development
COMM 640 - Principles of Strategic Communication* ††

*(Students who take COMM 640 as part of the core curriculum, must take either SIS 628 Global Knowledge Economy or SIS 644 Communication and Social Economic Development as an SIS elective.)

†† (Students who take COMM 640 as part of the core curriculum and who complete the Research/Capstone Requirement in SOC may choose only one SOC elective.)

PROFESSIONAL COURSES (6 credits)

COMM 688 - Media Writing

COMM 638 - Production Practicum

METHODS REQUIREMENT (6 credits)

SIS695 - Research Seminar in International Communication

COMM 738 - Public Communication Research Methods

RESEARCH/CAPSTONE REQUIREMENT (In-lieu of thesis) (6 credits)

SIS 795 - Master's Research/SRP

AND

SIS 691 - Internship
OR
COMM 710 - Seminar in Public Affairs

AND

COMM 691 - Internship
OR
COMM 744 - Public Communication Seminar

AND

COMM 691 - Internship

SIS ELECTIVES (6 credits)

SIS 628 - Advanced Topics in International Communication

Students may choose from such topics as:

The Global Knowledge Economy*
Communication, Culture & Change
Communication in Islamic Society
Information Economy & Corporate Strategy--INDIA
Role of Information Technology, Society & Politics in China's Transformation
Digital Revolution and Global Communication
Health Communication in Developing Countries
Strategic Communications, Intelligence and National Security
Culture & Communication in Southeast Asia
Terrorism and the Media
Public Diplomacy & International Communication: America's Dialogue with the World
Foreign Media & Public Opinion in Europe, Asia and the Middle East
International Communication & Intercultural Aspects of Negotiation & Conflict
Globalization and the Information Society: Information, Communication & Development
Media, Culture & Politics in the Arab World
And electives related to International Communication in other SIS fields

SIS 566 - Skills Institutes in International Communication (up to 3 credit hours)

Institute topics include:

Health Communication for Development
International Journalism & International Relations
Information Technology & Development in Latin America

*(Students who take COMM 640 as part of the core curriculum, must take either SIS 628 Global Knowledge Economy or SIS 644 Communication and Social Economic Development as an SIS elective.)

SOC ELECTIVES (6 credits) ††

Theoretical Courses

COMM 541 - Media Relations

COMM 539 - International Public Relations

COMM 517 - History of Cross-Cultural Cinema

COMM 535 - Special Topics in News Media

COMM 546 - Foreign Policy and the Press

COMM 548 - Global Journalism

COMM 596 - Communication Paradigms of Public Diplomacy (new course)

COMM 596 - Foreign Correspondence

COMM 511 - History of Documentary

COMM 512 - Social Documentary

COMM 516 - Topics in Film and Media Arts

COMM 527 - History of Photography

COMM 531 - Political Communication

COMM 735 - Communication Theory

Professional Practicum

COMM 644 - Public Communication Writing

COMM 630 - Principles of Photography

COMM 521 - Opinion Writing

COMM 650 - Digital Imaging and Design

COMM 652 - Web Studio

COMM 631 - Film and Video Production I

COMM 567 - Communication and Social Change

COMM 635 - Introduction to Studio Television

††(Students who take COMM 640 as part of the core curriculum and who complete the Research/Capstone Requirement in SOC may choose only one SOC elective.)