Communications, MA

Program Description

The master’s program in communications offers a great deal of flexibility in planning and design. With the help of an advisor, students plan a 36-hour master’s program that best suits their individual needs.

Admission Requirements

In addition to Lindenwood’s general admission requirements, students applying to the School of Communications must meet the following requirements:

  • Submission of a 300-word statement of purpose
  • A 3.0 undergraduate grade point average (GPA)
  • Official results from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE revised General Test)

Students who do not meet the 3.0 GPA should contact the School of Communications.

A graduate student in communications may take only one tutorial or independent study course and may enroll in a maximum of 9 graduate credit hours per semester. A student may not receive graduate credit for any course designated as a dually-enrolled course, if that student received credit for the undergraduate version of that course.

Requirements

Core Curriculum

COM 50300Research and Scholastic Writing

3

COM 50310Contemporary Digital Rights

3

COM 50320Critical Analysis of Media

3

COM 50330Media and Politics

3

COM 50340Audience Analysis in an Interactive Age

3

COM 60101Communications Project

3

Specialized coursework

Specialized coursework will determine the major emphasis area.

The degrees and their additional requirements are listed below. Some classes will be dual enrollment.

Broadcast Emphasis

A Master of Communications with a broadcast emphasis requires the completion of COM 15400 Video Production or the demonstration of basic video skills. In addition to the core courses, the broadcast emphasis requires 18 credit hours chosen from among the following options:

COM 50400Broadcast Newswriting

3

COM 50700Writing for the Electronic Media

3

COM 54300Television News Production

3

COM 55700Non-linear Video Editing

3

COM 57000History of Film

3

COM 57100Advanced Audio Production

3

COM 57400Advanced Video

3

COM 57900Production for Television

3

COM 58000Television News Reporting

3

Journalism Emphasis

A Master of Communications with a journalism emphasis requires the completion of COM 24200 Basic Reporting or the demonstration of basic journalistic skills. In addition to the core courses, the journalism emphasis requires 18 credit hours chosen from among the following options:

COM 50400Broadcast Newswriting

3

COM 50600Investigative Reporting

3

COM 52500Photojournalism

3

COM 52600Advanced Reporting

3

COM 53000Online Journalism

3

COM 54300Television News Production

3

COM 58000Television News Reporting

3

COM 58100Editing

3

Interactive Media and Web Design Emphasis

A Master of Communications with an interactive media and web design emphasis requires the completion of COM 23300 Foundation of the Internet or the demonstration of basic web design skills. In addition to the core courses, the media and web design emphasis requires 18 credit hours chosen from among the following options:

COM 50500Desktop Publishing

3

COM 52400Applications for Mobile Devices

3

COM 53000Online Journalism

3

COM 53700Design with Illustrator

3

COM 54200Interactive Web Development

3

COM 54400Advanced Interactive Scripting

3

COM 555003-D Graphics

3

COM 55700Non-linear Video Editing

3

COM 56600Web Design

3

COM 57100Advanced Audio Production

3

Communications Studies Emphasis

A Master of Communications with a communications studies emphasis requires the completion of COM 15400 Video Production or the demonstration of basic video skills and the completion of COM 23300 Foundation of the Internet or the demonstration of basic web design skills. In addition to the core courses, the communications studies emphasis requires 18 credit hours chosen from among the following options:

COM 50400Broadcast Newswriting

3

COM 50500Desktop Publishing

3

COM 50700Writing for the Electronic Media

3

COM 52400Applications for Mobile Devices

3

COM 52500Photojournalism

3

COM 52600Advanced Reporting

3

COM 53000Online Journalism

3

COM 53700Design with Illustrator

3

COM 54200Interactive Web Development

3

COM 54400Advanced Interactive Scripting

3

COM 55700Non-linear Video Editing

3

COM 56600Web Design

3

COM 57000History of Film

3

COM 57100Advanced Audio Production

3

COM 57400Advanced Video

3

COM 57900Production for Television

3

COM 58100Editing

3

COM 59000-59999Special Topics

3