The mission of the Master of Arts program in Media Studies is to equip its graduates to become lifelong commentators, media content creators, and media interpreters in an increasingly interconnected world. The program offers students the conceptual and analytical tools, along with hands-on experience, necessary to embark on careers in communication, to advance their academic pursuits at the doctoral level, and to assist those already employed in these fields in enhancing their expertise in their chosen areas of study.
Program Educational Objectives
The program will prepare students to:
- 1.Pursue higher studies towards a doctoral degree.
- 2.Acquire in-depth knowledge and research skills in the workplace.
- 3.Contribute to the growth and ethical development of the field in Lebanon and the region.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students should be able to:
- 1.Communicate ideas for effective media production.
- 2.Synthesize diverse perspectives in order to contribute to an ethical media environment.
- 3.Apply appropriate research methodologies to produce scholarly work.
- 4.Employ effective communication strategies in the production and consumption of traditional and digital media.
Admission Requirements
The program is open to students with bachelor's degrees in any of the listed areas, as well as those with degrees in other fields. Students with unrelated majors may be required to complete a set of preparatory courses as determined by the department in order to pursue a Master of Arts in Media Studies. A minimum grade of 'B' is necessary in any remedial course.
Candidates should have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a GPA between 2.8 and 3.0 may be admitted on a probationary basis, with the requirement to achieve a GPA of 3.0 in their first semester to continue in the program.
Candidates are also expected to provide three letters of recommendation, an updated CV, and a personal statement explaining their educational goals and reasons for choosing this field of study. Other university graduate admission requirements, as specified in the catalog, may apply to all first-year applicants.
Graduation Requirements
All students must complete a total of 15 credits in the general field of Mass Communication, in addition to 12 credit hours in their concentration area. The remaining six credits will be selected from a pool of courses offered by the program.
Students must write a 6-credit thesis, bringing the total to 39 hours required for graduation.
The minimum passing grade for a graduate course is “C.” Graduate students are required to maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 in all courses taken for graduate programs, with no more than two “C” grades per program.