Co-terminal M.A. Program in Media Studies

Application Deadline: November 18, 2008

What is the Co-Term Program in Communication?

The Coterminal M.A. Degree Program in Media Studies is a small program that permits current Stanford undergraduates to study for a bachelor’s and a master’s degree simultaneously. The program provides a broad introduction to scholarly literature in mass communication. Applicants choose from two tracks within the coterm program: Social Sciences or Journalism.

Which undergraduate majors constitute an appropriate preparation for the co-term program?

The following majors are some of those that best provide a grounding in a theoretical tradition relevant to the study of communication: communication, computer science, economics, history, linguistics, philosophy, political science, psychology, public policy, STS, sociology, and symbolic systems.

Unit requirements

The minimum number of units for a master's degree in Media Studies is 45 unduplicated units beyond the 180 units required for the bachelor's degree. The maximum number of units per quarter taken at graduate level is 18, with any additional units taken within the same quarter charged at a per unit rate.  It is important to evaluate carefully the total units you need to reach the minimum of 45 graduate units. Plan to take 15-18 units of Media Studies courses in the M.A. program each quarter. The required Master’s project will count as two units of credit for those on the Social Sciences track and four units of credit for those on the Journalism track.

Program requirements for the master's degree

Course units may be counted to meet the requirements of only one degree.The courses used to fulfill Master’s degree requirements must represent new work beyond the components of the undergraduate program. Normally a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better satisfies the requirement for high academic standing. Graduation requires a GPA of 3.0 or better. To count toward the M.A. units, all courses must be taken for a letter grade if offered as such, and courses in related areas outside the department must be approved by the student’s advisor.

Communication coursework taken previously

No coursework taken more than two quarters immediately prior to the first graduate quarter may be counted toward the 45 units of unduplicated work.  Those courses should have been taken at the 200 level. Exceptions may be granted with the approval of the student’s advisor. For courses taken earlier at the 100 level, the student may be required, as terms of admission, to complete additional work in order to bring the course(s) up to the graduate level requirements per the decision of the course’s instructor. Prof. Jeremy Bailenson, Director, Graduate Program in Media Studies, and the admissions committee will make the final decision. See the Student Services Administrator to determine if this applies to you. The units for each course will change from five to four.  This additional work can be done after admission to the program.

First graduate quarter

The quarter following completion of 12 undergraduate quarters is identified as the "first graduate quarter". Co-terminal students are subject to graduate studies policies and procedures as described in the "Advanced Degrees" section of the STANFORD BULLETIN. These policies include approval of a leave of absence for quarters not enrolled and minimal progress guidelines for graduate students.

 

Jeremy Bailenson, Director, Graduate Program in Media Studies, Bldg. 120, Rm 344, bailenson@stanford.edu