The Master of/ Magisteriate in Arts (Media Studies)

Program Director – Dr. Peter van Wyck

Please direct questions about the program to

A Word from the Director

MA Program Director, Peter van Wyck

Located within the renowned Department of Communication Studies, Concordia University’s Masters in Media Studies is one of the foremost programs of its kind in North America. We offer a unique and challenging program that provides our students with a broad and interdisciplinary formation commencing from core training in communication theory, media history and media research methods. From here our students move on to broaden their formations in areas such as race and ethnicity, political economy, community activism and media ethics, media art, institutions and policy, feminist media studies, theories of representation and interpretation, alternative media, film and documentary studies, popular and visual culture, communication and development, as well as a variety of special topics courses offered each academic year.

In addition to student-run conferences, reading groups, and other informal activities, the vibrant intellectual, creative, and collegial culture of our program is supported by over 20 tenured and tenure-track faculty. I invite you to take a look at our faculty pages for an idea of the rich diversity of innovative and award-winning research, teaching interest, and academic and professional achievement housed within our program.

We measure the success of our program in the demonstrated successes of our students and graduates. Many of our alumni become professionals in the media and cultural industries, working in the film, television, radio and the arts, while others continue in the academic sphere in a variety of professional and doctoral programs in Canada and abroad. Take a look at the theses and projects undertaken over the last few years to see the possibilities that a Masters in Media Studies can offer you.

These are exciting and challenging times. If you are interested in expanding your understanding of the contemporary and expansive field of media studies, we encourage you to take a look at our Masters program. We offer three streams for both full- and part-time studies: a thesis option that allows students to conduct a sustained research and writing program in the production and defense of a thesis; an innovative research-creation option designed for media-makers to undertake a creative work together with a thesis paper; and a course-based option for those who wish to carry out a program comprised solely of course work.

Our students are highly motivated, creative, have excelled in their undergraduate studies, and are able to articulate a clear and innovative program of work. If this sounds like you, then you should consider graduate work in Media Studies.

Sincerely,

Dr. Peter van Wyck

Director, MA – Media Studies

MA in Media Studies Courses 2011 – 12
MA in Media Studies Courses
MA Thesis Listing
MA Thesis and MA Project Deadlines

2013 – 2014 APPLICATION DEADLINES

Completed applications (including transcripts and letters of reference) are due January 15, 2013 Admission is done annually. Students must enter the program in fall term.

How to Apply

Please refer to our Masters Application Page.

Admission Requirements

Normally the candidate must have a bachelor’s degree in communication (or equivalent in a cognate area) with a minimum of 3.00 GPA. 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 TOEFL scores. The minimum TOEFL iBT score required is 106 (or 623 for TOEFL PBT). Qualified applicants requiring prerequisite courses may be required to take up to 12 credits in addition to and as part of the regular graduate program. Applicants with deficiencies in their undergraduate preparation will normally be required to take qualifying course(s) as deemed appropriate by the program. Credits allowed for previous graduate work must be determined by the department and the university prior to entry to the program.

Requirements for the Degree

1. Credits. Fully-qualified candidates are required to complete a minimum of 45 credits, including the three core program courses.

2. Residence. The minimum residence requirement is one year (3 terms) of full-time study, or the equivalent in part-time study.

3. Courses. COMS 600 Communication Theory (3 credits) is required for all students in the first year of the program. Students may enter one of the four options I, II, III or IV outlined below. Students elect an option after their first term of study with permission of the program director. The project option III is restricted to students with adequate and appropriate media experience. The program does not provide media training.

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 re-admission. Students who receive another failing grade after re-admission will be withdrawn from the program and will not be considered for re-admission.

4. Time Limit. All work for a master’s/magisteriate degree for full-time students must be completed within 12 terms (4 years) from the time of initial registration in the program at Concordia University; for part-time students the time limit is 15 terms (5 years).

5. Graduation Requirement. In order to graduate, students must have completed all program requirements and attained a cumulative GPA of at least 3.00.

Program Options

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 694 – Thesis/Research Creation Project Proposal;

2. 3 credits: COMS 610 – Media Studies Seminar;

3. 12 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 3 of these credits may be taken in cognate graduate courses offered by other departments in the university;

4. 21 credits, COMS 695 – Thesis.

Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Courses (Option II)

Candidates are required to take the following:

1. 6 credits: COMS 600 – Communication Theory; COMS 605 – Media Research Methods I;

2. 3 credits: COMS 610 – Media Studies Seminar;

3. 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 in the university.

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 694 – Thesis/Research Creation Project Proposal;

2. 3 credits: COMS 610 – Media Studies Seminar;

3. 12 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 3 of these credits may be taken in cognate graduate courses offered by other departments in the university;

4. 21 credits, COMS 697 – Project.

Master of/Magisteriate in Arts with Major Research Paper (Option IV)

Candidates are required to take the following:

1. 6 credits: COMS 600 – Communication Theory; COMS 605 – Media Research Methods I;

2. 3 credits: COMS 610 – Media Studies Seminar;

3. 24 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 in the university;

4. 12 credits, COMS 696 – Major Research Paper.

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/