Graduate Program

Degree Programs

Degrees are awarded as a Master’s of Science in Mass Communication. We offer emphases in Advertising, Public Relations, Journalism, Magazine, or Broadcast News. 

Required Courses

• MCOM 210: Media and Social Issues
• MCOM 290: Theory of Mass Communications
• MCOM 295: Mass Communications Research
• Four (4) approved graduate business courses  

In addition to required courses, students must complete six (6) units of electives and a final project.

Final project options include:  

Plan A: Thesis

• This option requires the successful completion of a thesis and an oral presentation of the thesis to a faculty/student audience. The Graduate Committee must approve the thesis proposal and the student will work with three advisers.
  

Plan B: Professional Project

• This option requires a professional project and an oral presentation to a faculty/student audience.
• The professional-quality project may take a variety of forms  including a series of newspaper or magazine articles, a radio or television documentary, a photojournalism essay, an advertising or public relations campaign, design of a web page, or another professional work.
  

Plan C: Comprehensive Papers

• This option requires taking an additional graduate elective and completing 3 units of MCOM 298 by researching and writing two 40 page comprehensive exam papers in (a) media communication and (b) the candidate’s area of specialty.

For more information, please visit our website or contact: Dr. William Tillinghast, Ph.D

(408) 924-3239 or btillinghast@casa.sjsu.edu