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Journalism and Mass Communication

Students earn the MA degree in either of two tracks: Newsgathering or Mass Communication Research. The media studies track of the PhD in Communication is also offered.

Degrees Offered:

  • MA, PhD
Degree Details: 

MA: The newsgathering option is designed for students with limited academic or professional experience in news reporting and writing. It prepares students to work in a wide variety of professional settings including newspapers and magazines, broadcast media outlets, online publications and corporate communications.  Students in the newsgathering program select an emphasis in print, broadcast or a combination of both. Newsgathering students complete internships at radio and television stations or at award-winning newspapers along Colorado's Front Range.

The mass communication research option offers an opportunity for critical reflection on contemporary media structures, performance, policy and practice. It provides graduate-level study in communication theory, research methods and relevant realms of culture, law, history, politics, and ethics. The research track is designed for students interested in an in-depth study of media or for those who wish to enhance an undergraduate or professional media background. The program is especially recommended for students desiring to continue their studies toward a PhD and for professionals seeking to teach at the college level or develop an area of reporting specialization.

The PhD in Communication offered by Journalism and Mass Communication is dedicated to interdisciplinary inquiry into the social, political, economic and cultural dimensions of media, nationally and internationally, historically and in contemporary societies. Because of the centrality of communication and media in social and individual life, media theory and research draw from a wide range of fields and disciplines, including political science, sociology, cultural studies, philosophy, history, linguistics, economics, anthropology, business, psychology, literature, law, and public policy.

Admissions Requirements: 

MA applicants must:

  1. Hold at least a baccalaureate degree, or its equivalent from an accredited college or university.
  2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 2.75.
  3. Have a GRE verbal score of at least 62nd percentile.  International applicants must also have a TOEFL score of at least 600 (IBT 100).
  4. Provide three letters of recommendation.
  5. Provide a 500-word statement of purpose.
  6. Provide a resume.
  7. On the application form's specialty box, choose one of these options:

    Mass communication research
    Mass communication research with environmental emphasis
    Newsgathering broadcast
    Newsgathering broadcast with environmental emphasis
    Newsgathering print
    Newsgathering print with environmental emphasis
    Newsgathering print and broadcast
    Newsgathering print and broadcast with environmental emphasis

PhD applicants must:

  1. Have a GRE score of at least 60th percentile on verbal and quantitative combined.  International applicants must also have a TOEFL score of 625 (IBT 106).
  2. Have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.25 and a cumulative one of at least 3.5 in previous graduate work, if any.
  3. Applicants to the PhD in media studies ordinarily are expected to hold a master's degree or to present evidence of other relevant graduate study. In some instances, applicants without a master's degree or other graduate work may be admitted.
  4. Provide three letters of recommendation.
  5. Provide a 700-word statement of purpose.
  6. Provide a resume.
  7. Provide a writing sample, such as a research paper or thesis chapter.
  8. On the application form's specialty box, choose Communication (Media studies).
Financial Support: 

MA
A few graduate assistantships are available. Applicants who wish to be considered should upload a letter of request which includes detailed professional or academic qualifications as part of their application by February 1. Applicants are chosen based on experience and the specific skills needed for available assistantships each semester.

PhD
Those admitted to the PhD program are all awarded graduate assistantships, including tuition waiver and a stipend.

Applicant Instructions: 

Domestic Applicant Deadlines

PhD: January 1

MA: February 1
 

Fall International Application Deadline: 
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Contact Information: 

University of Colorado Boulder
Journalism and Mass Communication
Armory 111 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0478
Phone 303-492-5008
Fax 303-492-0969

Website: 
journalism.colorado.edu
Email: 
jmcgrad@colorado.edu
Where To Send Your Materials: 

Application Mailing Instructions

Domestic Applicants:

Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to Graduate Admissions. Transcripts must be official copies and should include ALL post-secondary academic work completed to date, including courses appearing as transfer credit on other transcripts, credits earned in study abroad programs, and courses taken for college credit while in high school. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are NOT official transcripts.

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Graduate Admissions
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
553 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0553 USA

For overnight or express mail (DHL, FEDEX, UPS):

Graduate Admissions             
University of Colorado Boulder                     
3100 Marine Street - 553 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  (303) 492-6301
  

All International Applicants

Transcripts and other supporting materials required by your department should be sent directly to Office of Admissions/International.  Transcripts must be official copies and should include ALL post-secondary academic work completed to date, including courses appearing as transfer credit on other transcripts, credits earned in study abroad programs, and courses taken for college credit while in high school. Copies of transcripts mailed in unsealed envelopes and sent directly by applicants are NOT official transcripts.

For standard international mail or mail within the US, including USPS Priority and Express:

Office of Admissions/International
University of Colorado Boulder
3100 Marine St Suite A122
65 UCB
Boulder, CO 80309-0065 USA

Overnight/Express Mailing Address (DHL, UPS, Fedex)          

Office of Admissions/International               
University of Colorado Boulder                     
3100 Marine Street - 65 UCB
Bldg RL3 Suite A122
Boulder, CO 80303-1058 USA
303-492-6301