About
All graduate students complete either a thesis or Project/Creative Component. The thesis option trains a student to conduct traditional research that involves choosing an original topic, conducting an extensive literature review of the topic, and developing a research question. The Project/Creative Component is designed to give students an opportunity to develop and implement a project related to the student's interests. Internships equip graduate students to relate theory to practice in professional settings.
Thesis Option
The thesis option is designed to prepare graduates to teach at the college level or to continue toward doctoral work. The thesis option consists of 31 hours, including 6 hours of thesis research.
Non-Thesis Option
The non-thesis option is designed to help graduates advance their media and strategic communications careers. The school offers several non-thesis options consisting of 32 hours of course work with 7 hours devoted to degree completion. Non-thesis options include Creative Project (3-hour project elective, 1-hour project prospectus, 3 hours project research), Study Abroad (6 hours study abroad, 1-hour formal report), and Practicum (6 hours practicum, 1-hour formal report).
Project/Creative Component Option
The project/creative component option engages applied client-oriented research or special creative endeavors approved by the student’s adviser, such as the development of special promotional campaigns, a series of articles about an important issue, or audiovisual productions.
Advanced Practicum/Internship
Often, this experience helps students obtain work samples, such as clips or broadcast stories on DVDs that are needed to help obtain jobs in the industry. Students enrolled in this program also can augment their knowledge of operations in media-related companies and form industry contacts that may enhance their careers.
Study Abroad
Students may take up to 6 hours of MC Study Abroad as a degree completion option. The School of Media and Strategic Communication offers courses abroad. Alternatively, study abroad courses may be taken at sister universities via OSU Study Abroad for degree completion.
Elizabeth Roshelli Formal Report