威斯康星大学麦迪逊分校

Three available tracks:

1. Professional-track masters focused on specialized training in multimedia skills that lead to careers in mass media industries.
2. Thesis-track master's focused on developing skills in mass communication research and typically leading to enrollment in a doctoral program.
3. Non-thesis master's for students interested in basic concepts and theories in journalism and mass communication studies but not in advanced doctoral-level training.

Graduate programs in journalism and mass communication are designed for advanced academic preparation in the various fields of mass communication and journalism, and for training in research and teaching. The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers three options for the master of arts: professional-track M.A. (30 credits in multi-media communication and topic specialization); thesis-track M.A. (30 credits in theory and methods plus thesis); and non-thesis M.A. (30 credits with tight focus on journalism and mass communication concepts).

The school is a recognized leader in teaching and research in a variety of topics including the process and effects of mass communication; communication campaigns; community and social movements; consumer and popular culture; health and science communication; history of mass communication; international communication; media accountability and criticism; media law and policy; new media technology; political communication and public opinion; and race, gender and mass communication. Graduate work prepares students to use and contribute to the research and scholarship in these and many other areas. Identifying important questions, gathering evidence, and understanding standards of inference are dominant features of all graduate degree programs.

Learning outcomes

• Attain mastery in an area of the mass communication field. This encompasses an ability to articulate, critique, or elaborate theories, research methods, and approaches to inquiry in the chosen field of study. (Research)
• Identify sources and assemble evidence pertaining to questions or challenges in the field of communication. (Research)
• Demonstrate understanding of the primary field of study in a historical, social, psychological, cultural or global context. (Research)
• Select and/or utilize the most appropriate methodologies and practices. (Research)
• Evaluate or synthesize information pertaining to questions or challenges in the field of communication. (Research)
• Develop professional communication skills related to gathering, assessing, compiling and disseminating information, by selecting and/or utilizing the most appropriate methodologies and practices and the evaluation and synthesis of information. (Professional)
• Demonstrate understanding of the journalism field of study. (Professional)
• Select and/or utilize the most appropriate professional journalistic practices. (Professional)
• Evaluate or synthesize information pertaining to questions or challenges in their field of journalistic specialization. (Professional)
• Attain mastery in an area of the mass communication field. This encompasses ability to articulate, critique, or elaborate theories and approaches to inquiry in the chosen field of study. (Non-Thesis)
• Develop in-depth and specialized expertise in a topic of interest. In doing so students will be able to identify sources of information and assemble evidence pertaining to questions in that area. (Non-Thesis)
• Communicate clearly in ways appropriate to the field of study. (Research)
• Communicate clearly in ways appropriate to journalism practice. (Professional)
• Communicate clearly in ways appropriate to the field of study. (Non-Thesis).