Graduate Telecommunications Courses
The School of Telecommunications offers programs of study leading to the Master of Arts in telecommunications and the Doctor of Philosophy in mass communication. The Ph.D. is offered in conjunction with the School of Journalism (see Mass Communication).
Various specializations are offered at the master's level, including international communication, management, and screenwriting. Individualized programs that combine two or more specializations must be approved by the graduate committee of the school. The master's program prepares students for careers in telecommunications.
The M.A. in public broadcasting management provides theory and application training through coursework in the school and in business and public administration, while offering practical experience through the Telecommunications Center and internships. Research associateships are available for women and minorities who have full-time public broadcasting experience.
Admission to graduate study in telecommunications requires a baccalaureate degree for the master's program and a completed master's degree for the Ph.D. program. You should have a 3.0 undergraduate grade-point average (g.p.a.) on a 4.0 scale, although other factors-professional experience or test results, for example-may qualify you for admission if your g.p.a. is lower. Doctoral applicants are expected to present academic credentials of a higher caliber. All applicants are required to submit letters of recommendation, scores of the Graduate Record Examination and/or the Miller Analogies Test, and appropriate college transcripts. You should present previous degree work that includes a reasonable background in electronic media and closely allied fields of communication. Because academic ability, recommendations, and other factors weigh heavily in the admission process, some students may enter graduate study without such a background. On advice from the graduate committee, individuals may be required to make up this deficiency by enrolling in appropriate undergraduate courses or completing a directed readings program.
The M.A. in screenwriting requires submission of scripts or similar sample material along with the application.
To permit an adequate review of credentials, you must submit all materials no later than February 15. You may enter only in the fall quarter.
The typical master's program consists of a nonthesis sequence of 56 hours, including a minimum of 20 hours in the major field of study and at least 8 hours in a supplementary area. Supplementary areas may be selected from within or outside the College of Communication and may include more than one department. A thesis option exists in which you are granted up to 10 credit hours for the completed thesis.
Both thesis and nonthesis students are required to take two courses: TCOM 501 Introduction to Graduate Study and TCOM 601 Introduction to Mass Communication Research. Additional requirements include successful completion of qualifying examinations and approval of a final paper, or presentation of a thesis at the end of the program. Screenwriting students have somewhat different requirements commensurate with their professional writing commitment. Different courses are required, and a completed script (or scripts) will serve as a thesis.
The school requires that a minimum g.p.a. of 3.0 be maintained. In addition, those who earn a grade below a B (3.0) in more than two courses are not permitted to continue in the program except in unusual circumstances.
Ph.D. requirements are listed under Mass Communication.
Laboratory facilities are provided by a cable TV production unit; CATVision, a multichannel residence-hall cable service; stations WOUB AM-FM-TV; and ongoing contract studies through the school's Institute for Telecommunications Studies.
University Publications and Computer Services revised this file (http://www.ohiou.edu/~gcat/97-99/areas/tele.htm) June 1, 1998.
Please e-mail comments or suggestions to "gcat@www.ohiou.edu."