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Think media. Practice media.
The Master of/ Magisteriate in Arts (Media Studies)
The Master of/Magisteriate in Arts in Media Studies provides for the advanced study of the cultural and social aspects of media and communication. It is designed to serve both media artists and professionals seeking to develop a critical understanding of their practice as well as students seeking to become scholars and researchers. The program offers a wide range of courses, with particular emphasis upon cultural studies, the form and institutional context of media, and the theory and philosophy of communication.
Program Director - Dr. Peter van Wyck
Please direct questions about the program to
MA in Media Studies Courses
MA Thesis Listing
MA Thesis and MA Project Deadlines
2010 - 2011 APPLICATION DEADLINES
The deadline for completed applications is February 1, 2010 (earlier funding deadline, see below).
Concordia University Graduate Fellowships and
International Tuition Fee Remission Awards
Application Deadline for the 2010 - 2011 academic year:
December 15th, 2009
How to Apply
Please refer to our Masters Application Page.
Admission Requirements
Normally the candidate must have a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in communication or a cognate field with a minimum of a B average. Experience in media or a media-related field is an asset. Applicants whose prior degrees are not from an English or French-speaking university are required to submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores. The minimum TOEFL score required is 623 (computer-based score is 263) or an IELTS score of 8.
Requirements for the Degree
1. Credits. Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits.
2. Residence. The minimum residence requirement is one year (3 terms) of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.
3. Courses. Students may enter one of the three options I, II or III outlined below.
Academic Regulations
1. GPA Requirements. The academic progress of students is monitored on a periodic basis. To be permitted to continue in the program, students must obtain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 based on a minimum of 12 credits. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 are considered to be on academic probation during the following period. Students whose GPA falls below 3.00 for two consecutive review periods are withdrawn from the program.
2. C Rule. Normally a student receiving a grade of C in two courses will be required to withdraw from the program. Students withdrawing for this reason may petition the M.A. (Media Studies) Committee for special consideration. In cases of extenuating circumstances probationary continuation in the program will be considered.
3. F Rule. Students who receive a failing grade in the course of their studies will be withdrawn from the program. Students may apply for readmission. Students who receive another failing grade after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program.
4. Time Limit. The time limit to complete the master's program is four years of full time study or five years of part time study from the time of original registration in the program.
5. Graduation Requirement. In order to graduate, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.
Program Options
Option A. Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Thesis (Option I)
Candidates are required to take the following:
1. 9 credits: COMS 600: Communication Theory; COMS 605: Media Research Methods I; COMS 608: History of Media.
2. 15 credits, chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and approved by the department's graduate studies committee. If approved by the department's graduate studies committee, and with the permission of the department concerned, up to 9 of these credits may be taken in cognate graduate courses offered by other departments of the university
3. 21 credits, COMS 695: Thesis.
Option B. Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Courses (Option II)
Candidates are required to take the following:
1. 9 credits: COMS 600: Communication Theory; COMS 605: Media Research Methods I; COMS 608: History of Media.
2. 36 credits, chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and approved by the department's graduate studies committee. If approved by the department's graduate studies committee, and with the permission of the department concerned, up to 9 of these credits may be taken in cognate graduate courses offered by other departments of the university
Option C. Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Project (Option III)
Candidates are required to take the following:
1. 9 credits: COMS 600: Communication Theory; COMS 605: Media Research Methods I; COMS 608: History of Media.
2. 15 credits, chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor and approved by the department's graduate studies committee. If approved by the department's graduate studies committee, and with the permission of the department concerned, up to 9 of these credits may be taken in cognate graduate courses offered by other departments of the university
3. 21 credits, COMS 697: Project.
Financial Assistance
Teaching Assistantships (TAs) Opportunities
The Department of Communication Studies offers a limited number of Teaching
Assistantships (TAs) to eligible M.A. students. The assignment of TAs is very
competitive and dependent on the yearly budget, as well as prior experience
of candidates in particular areas of media production and theory. TAships normally
pay students between $1000-$2000. Students are reminded that this funding is
not enough to cover all expenses and that they should seek additional sources
of financial assistance. Some graduate assistantships are offered as monitors
at the Learning Centre, which serves both undergraduate and graduate students
in the Department.
Research Assistantships (RAs) Opportunities
In addition, individual faculty members or groups of faculty members who hold
research grants may offer Research Assistantships to graduate students, depending
on availability of funds and commensurate research interests. Applicants who
are interested in working with faculty as research assistants are strongly
encouraged to begin by consulting individual faculty web pages.
Communication Studies MA Scholarship
This award is given to a second year MA student based on academic excellence. Announcements
for applications are made in the fall.
Concordia University Graduate Fellowships
Within the University, all current and future graduate students are eligible
to apply for a Concordia Graduate Fellowship.
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/awards/index.php
Rona and Robert Davis Scholarhip
MA students are also eligible to apply for the Rona and Robert Davis scholarhip.
The purpose of this endowment is to provide in-course scholarships to full-time
2nd year MA or Ph.D. students in the Department of Communication Studies who
have contributed substantially to the life of the Department, demonstrated
academic excellence, and clear financial need. The award is administered by
the Graduate Awards Office but the call for applications and selection of the
candidates is made by the Communication Studies Department. The value of the
scholarship for 2008/2009 is approximately $675.00.
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/awards/index.php
Awards and Financial Assistance for International Students
International Student Fee Remissions
As well, all foreign students can apply for the International Fee Remissions.
Since there is a lot of competition for these awards (i.e. awards within the
Department and within the University), students are well advised to seek external
sources of funding. Potential students are encouraged to explore any alternative
sources of funding that may be available.
International Tuition Fee Remission Awards:
http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/awards/index.php
If you would like to receive information on awards offered to international
students and trainees, the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE)
publishes a brochure entitled Awards for Study in Canada. Please write to the
following address for a copy:
CBIE
220 Laurier Avenue West, Suite 1100
Ottawa, Ontario
K1P 5Z9, Canada
Fax: (613) 237-1073
Other External Funding Opportunities
Students who are citizens or permanent residents of Canada should investigate
the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Fellowships and
Fonds Quebecois de la recherche sur la societe et la culture (FQRSC) Fellowships.
Applicants from provinces other than Quebec should consult their own provincial
government for funding guidelines. Specific deadlines will be announced
each year, but are generally mid-October.
http://www.sshrc.ca/site/apply-demande/students-etudiants-eng.aspx
http://www.fqrsc.gouv.qc.ca/fr/bourses/candidat.php#cat_2
A guide to eligibility for these and other sources of financial assistance
is available from the Graduate Awards Office. See http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/prospectivestudents/funding/ and http://graduatestudies.concordia.ca/awards/
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