Shippensburg University

Program Information

Degree Offered

M.S.

Format: Campus

Program Description:

The Department of Communication/Journalism at Shippensburg University offers a program that provides professional growth opportunities in the dynamic field of mass communication. The department is dedicated to educating its graduate students in the key areas of mass communication writing and desktop publishing, digital media, research and analysis, and theory and ethics.
Students select courses in public relations, electronic media, print media, and interdisciplinary areas to enhance professional and personal growth opportunities. The program allows students to strengthen an existing communications career, to prepare for advanced communications studies, or to begin a new journey into the evolving world of today’s communication industries.
The Program
The Department of Communication/Journalism offers a Master of Science degree with specialization in communication studies. The successful completion of 30 credits (thesis option) or 33 credits (professional project option) is required for graduation. To accommodate the varied academic backgrounds and career objectives of students enrolling in this program, the department offers a flexible course of study.
The communication studies program is directed to: the media professional who seeks to update skills in research, writing, and desktop publishing; the baccalaureate degree holder in communication who wishes to refine and build upon previous academic preparation; and the baccalaureate degree holder in another discipline who wishes to prepare for a career in the media or a closely related field.

Students have access to audio and video production studios, classrooms, and computer labs equipped with the latest industry hardware and software, including Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Creative Publishing Suite, Adobe Audition, Apple Logic, Apple Final Cut Pro HD and Microsoft Office.
The digital photography lab in Rowland Hall is equipped for digital color printing. Students may use departmental digital and 35mm cameras, scanners, and assorted film processing equipment. The audio suites in Rowland Hall are equipped with computer editing stations utilizing Adobe Audition and Apple Logic software. One suite, funded by a grant from the PA Association of Broadcasters, is a fully functioning MIDI recording studio outfitted with M-Audio ProTools recording software and gear, as well as electronic keyboard and drums.
The university’s TV studio in Grove Hall is a full-functioning TV production center equipped with three Hitachi digital studio cameras, a Grass Valley Kayak digital video effects switcher, Apple Final Cut Pro HD non-linear editing systems and two DV linear editing suites. The TV production center also has a mobile TV production van equipped with four Sony VX1000 MiniDV cameras and Panasonic instant replay tape decks to produce live and live-on-tape events and sports contests for broadcast on Comcast Cable channel 21.
Classes are small, averaging between 12 and 20 students, and it is typical for instruction to be in the form of dialogue rather than in a lecture format. There are chapters of the National Broadcasting Society (NBS), the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), and the Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) affiliated with the department. The faculty are members of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication (AEJMC), the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), and the Broadcast Education Association (BEA). Students and faculty regularly attend regional and national conventions and meetings.
In the communication studies program, students may select one or two internships with the permission of their advisor. A 3 s.h. internship requires 120 hours of work in print media, electronic media, public relations, or a media-related business. Interns have worked with organizations such as The Patriot News (Harrisburg), The Sentinel (Carlisle), FoxSportsNet (Pittsburgh), Lancaster United Way, the Governor’s Press Office (Harrisburg), the U.S. Army War College (Carlisle), CNBC (Washington), Antietam Cable (Hagerstown), WGAL-TV (Lancaster), WHTM-TV (Harrisburg), and WPMT-TV (York).

Accreditation:

Shippensburg University is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, AACSB International, ABET Inc., American Chemical Society, Council on Social Work Education, Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, International Association of Counseling Services, Council for Exceptional Children and by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teachers.

Eligibility Requirements:

To be admitted to graduate study in communication studies, you must: Present a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; present an official transcript showing at least a 2.75 cumulative grade point average for undergraduate work as determined by a grading system in which A=4.0. In addition you must include with your application and $30 fee: (1) resumé; (2) three professional references; (3) 400- to 500-word essay. If you have less than a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate grade point average, you may be accepted if you have all of the following: (1) An above average score on the GRE or Miller Analogies Test; (2) Significant professional communications work experience.

Tuition & Financial Aid

Financial Aid Offered: No

Classification: Master's Colleges & Universities I

Institution Sector: Public

Locale: Distant Town

Size & Settings: 5,000 - 9,999