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Writing Proposals | Final Projects | Deadlines | AlumniRequired Core Courses
MCom 210 - Media and Social Issues (3 units): Selected readings and group discussions of significant published works dealing with mass communications: history, biography and appraisals, law and ethics of the print and broadcast media, advertising and public relations, public opinion and propaganda.
MCom 290 - Theory of Mass Communications (3 units): Overview of the theoretical literature and research on mass communications, particularly as it relates to media institutions and their audiences. Approaches include media sociology, process and effects as well as critical and cultural theory.
MCom 295 - Mass Communications Research (3 units): Quantitative and qualitative research methods in mass communications: historical, case studies, survey, experimental and content analysis. Emphasis on statistical aspects of data analysis and interpretation.
Graduate Required Electives
Two graduate electives are required (6 units).
MCom 240: Mass Communications History (3 units): Application of historical method in mass communications research; emphasis on source and bibliographical materials. Research projects in media history and development.
MCom 250: International Communications (3 units): Factors affecting the international flow of news; sociocultural-economic influences on national media systems and concepts of press freedom; comparative mass media systems; the technology of international communications and its implications in developing a world community.
MCom 260: Integrated Strategic Communications (3 units): This course provides an overview of integrated communications methods including promotion, advertising, public relations, and direct marketing. It explains how to integrate these methods and develop a comprehensive integrated marketing communications plan.
MCom 270: Communication Law and Policy (3 units): A case history approach to the law of communications, including libel, privacy and regulation of broadcasting. Major development and landmark decisions, with emphasis on contemporary ethical and social issues such as free-press/fair trial and new technology.
MCom 280: Communication Management (3 units): Explores the practice and theory of media management as it applies to: online media, newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television stations, advertising agencies, public relations firms, and corporate communications, and marketing communications. It incorporates leadership, media economics and conflict resolution. Prerequisite: Instructor consent.
MCom 285: New Media Technologies (3 units): This course provides an introduction to new media technologies for mass communication students. The course examines these technologies and the ways they influence and converge with traditional media, particularly in the specialty fields represented by the students in the program. The social, political and regulatory ramifications of the emerging technologies are also covered.
MCom 298: Special Studies in Mass Communications (1-6 units): Independent studies in specific areas of mass communications. Repeatable for credit (not in same semester). Note: 3 units for Plan B projects. Grading: C/NC
MCom 299: Master's Thesis (3-6 units): Supervised thesis in the field of mass communications. Prerequisite: Admission to candidacy for the master's degree and approval of thesis proposal. Repeatable for credit (not in same semester). Grading: C/NC
Thesis or Project
Six units needed for thesis and project, three units needed for comprehensive papers.
MCom 298 - Special Studies in Mass Communications, 1-6 units (6 for Plan B Projects - 3 for comprehensive papers). Independent studies in specific areas of mass communications.
MCom 299 - Master's Thesis, 6 units. Supervised thesis in the field of mass communications.
Upper-division undergraduate electives
Nine units total may count towards degree.
The Business emphasis has the following requirements:
M.S. in Mass Communications
Communications Management EmphasisObjective:
To give mid-career managers in the communications industry (advertising, mass media, marketing communications, and public relations) an opportunity to pursue a master's degree that would develop their skill sets in management and the supervision of other employees. The degree is also designed to increase their knowledge base in the areas of communications theory and research and other related areas.
Required Courses: 9 Units
MC290 Theory of Mass Communications
MC295 Research Methods in Mass Communications
MC280 Communications Management
Two Courses from the Following List: 6 Units
MC210 Media and Social Issues
MC240 Mass Communications History
MC250 International Communications
MC260 Integrated Marketing Communications
MC270 Communication Law and Policy
MC285 New Technologies in Mass Communication
Four Courses from College of Business (MBA Program) 12 Units
>From the Following List:*
BUS210 Development and Managing People
BUS225 Diversity in the Workplace
BUS231 Marketing Management
BUS231A Market Forecasting
BUS243 Database Management
BUS250 Law and the General Manager
BUS257 Creativity in Managers
MC298 Special Studies 3 Units
A project or research study in the area of
Communication Management with a written
Executive summary and report
TOTAL 30 Units
*Other MBA courses (200 level) may be substituted with the approval of the graduate coordinator in the School of Journalism & Mass Communication
Undergraduate JMC courses
For a complete list of all undergraduate courses offered by the School of Journalism & Mass Communications, click here.