Communications & Media Technologies Degrees

Communications & Media Technologies (MA)

The MA program provides advanced study for students pursuing careers in multimedia communications. Coursework focuses on short-form production, on-camera performance, multimedia writing, and journalism for broadcast as well as for streaming mobile devices, and entrepreneurship. Students graduate from the program with a comprehensive portfolio or reel that showcases their talents refined through a concentrated curriculum.

Master of Arts (MA) Degree
Major Classes

This program is available online and on campus

School of Communications & Media Technologies

COM 602

Visual Storytelling: Editing for Short-Form Video Content Major/3

Leverage AI to craft powerful stories across digital, brand, and broadcast news platforms. Gain skills in audio and video editing to create compelling content and build essential techniques to engage diverse audiences and drive impactful narratives in today’s media landscape.

COM 603

Visual Storytelling Production Major/3

As a graduate student, you'll create a series of short pieces on a variety of topics such as entertainment, news, fashion, food, reality television, technology, sports, or art and design.

COM 604

On-Camera Performance for Multiplatform Media Major/3

Go beyond broadcast performance. You'll use live streaming, social networks, and mobile communications to acquire new techniques for engaging an audience. Industry insiders will coach you in voice and movement to draw out your personality and instill professional performance and directing skills.

COM 610

Media Production: Working with the Client Major/3

Create a real-world production for a non-profit client. You'll perform a variety of roles to create media content, including concept, pitch, development, pre-production, and production. (This course is cross-listed with MUS 498MP.)

COM 620

Multiplatform Specialty Writing Major/3

Master short-form writing for all media. You'll learn to gather and synthesize original interviews with information from personal contacts, email, social networks, and published material to write stories for audio, video, and the web.

COM 635

Social Media Production and Branding Major/3

Develop a comprehensive modern marketing campaign. You'll use branding videos, influencers, product placement, social media, event marketing, analytics, and public speaking skills to promote your own product. (This course is cross-listed with COM 202.)

COM 650

Multiplatform Production: Original Series Major/3

Develop a binge-able series. Work as a series producer, associate producer, segment producer, and talent on your original series.

COM 690

Your Media Portfolio Major/3

Prepare your portfolio for today's dynamic media industry. Applying your own creative and individual brand, you'll work to align your media portfolio, your personal web presence, and social network with the professional practices today's media industry demands.

IXD 613

Motion Graphics and Video Major/3

Become a better storyteller using motion graphics and digital video. You'll learn how to sync music, sound, and video to develop compelling digital video. Learn contemporary trends and practices in motion graphics. You'll research, concept, storyboard, and design motion graphics using industry-standard tools.

Degree Requirements

Unit Requirements	Units
Major Coursework	33
Electives	3
Total	36

MA COMMUNICATIONS AND MEDIA TECHNOLOGIES DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Successful completion of Final Portfolio Review.
Minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA.
Minimum grade of C in all required 36 units.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate students will meet the following student performance criteria:

Production Skills

Produce broadcast-ready video content that adheres to professional standards
Use and create interactive content and web designs to promote and enhance media projects
Depending on the student's specialization: ability to present oneself on camera professionally in various kinds of scripted, live, and impromptu settings in the studio and on location; or, the ability to direct on camera talent in the studio and on location.

Conceptual Thinking

Identify, research, and evaluate relevant information as appropriate to chosen media specialty.
Apply creative business and technological solutions for formatting, distributing, and marketing content across all major media platforms
Apply creative business strategies in the presentation and promotion of projects.

Written and Oral Communication

Develop scripts, features, articles and other written content for in-depth and continuous coverage of a media specialty.
Demonstrate mastery of various types of interview techniques appropriate to a target audience or media genre.
Develop sophisticated concepts for a media project and to professionally pitch these ideas.

Visual Communication

Rapidly visualize story ideas in the pre-production stage, for individual projects and larger-scale projects or series.
Apply advanced design principles to various types of video, print, and interactive media.

Professional Readiness

Produce a professional reel to acquire a job within the media industry or corporate environment
Meet deadlines and submit work according to professional presentation standards.