Technology and Communication

Study mode:Blended Study type:Part-time Languages: English
Foreign:$ 20.8 k / Year(s) Deadline: Mar 14, 2025
56 place StudyQA ranking:4861 Duration:2 years

Photos of university / #uncchapelhill

The Master of Arts in Technology and Communication offers a rigorous and unique curriculum, enabling journalists and communication professionals to take on leadership positions in new media, journalism, advertising, public relations and internal communication. The MATC provides students with the knowledge and skills to solve communication problems using the new media tools that are transforming business practices. The program is taught by leading scholars and overseen by a talented group of administrators.

Each year the MATC admits one group of no more than 20 students. That group progresses through the program together over the course of two and a half years. Students regularly cite the camaraderie, support and network of their cohort as a valuable asset.  Don’t take our word for it; see what our students have to say in the student experience video.

Classes are kept small to create a highly interactive, graduate seminar experience that places an emphasis on dynamic interactions and challenging material. Students take a set curriculum of nine courses and complete a final project and examination at the end of the second year.

MATC courses are designed to take full advantage of the inherent benefits of online instruction by leveraging and seamlessly integrating Web-based content and tools. All courses use an asynchronous course management system, which means students can access all of their course material at any time and engage with classmates and instructors day or night. The MATC does feature one-hour synchronous sessions in some courses. These sessions are recorded for students to watch on their own time. Many student do attend live and find the face-to-face time valuable. MATC students are able to continue their careers and maintain their family commitments with the flexibility to complete coursework around other activities. We have over ten years of experience designing, teaching and administering online courses.

The MATC is a 30-credit program consisting of nine three-credit courses and a three-credit final project (non-traditional thesis). There is a set curriculum, meaning there is a prescribed list of courses that are designed to be taken in order. The MATC has no electives. Completion of the program should take 2 ½ years. 

Upon completion of coursework, students must take a written comprehensive examination to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum. The exam is given at the end of the spring semester of the second year of the program and may be taken at UNC or remotely.

 

Semester Course Number Course Title Credits Course Format
Summer I   Orientation (in August) 0 On-campus
Fall I JOMC 711 Writing for Digital Media 3 Online
Fall I JOMC 716 Research Methods and Applications 3 Online
Spring I JOMC 717 Information Visualization 3 Online
Spring I MEJO 713 Digital Data and Analytics 3 Online
Summer II   Summer Residency (in May) 0 On-campus
Summer II  MEJO 715 New Media and Society 3 Online
Fall II MEJO 720 Strategic Communication 3 Online
Fall II MEJO 721 Usability and Multimedia Design 3 Online
Spring II MEJO 718 Media Law for the Digital Age 3 Online
Spring II MEJO 719 Leadership in Digital Media Economics 3 Online
Fall III MEJO 992 Non-Traditional Thesis 3 Online
Total     30  
  • UNC Graduate School online application.
  • Application fee (non-refundable $85). The Graduate School accepts credit card payments for online admission applications. Applications and fees must be received by the admissions deadline.
  • Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts from all colleges and universities attended must be scanned and uploaded by the application deadline. Only applicants offered admission into the program submit official, sealed transcripts. Transcripts are required from every institution the applicant lists.  If transfer or study abroad courses appear on a main transcript and have no accompanying grades, a transcript will be required from the host institution. If grades are shown, then another transcript is not necessary.
  • Graduate Record Examination scores. The Graduate School requires an official copy of test scores be sent directly from the testing service, but applicants can submit unofficial scores with their application. Test scores must be dated within five years of application or applicants must retake the exam. When taking the GRE, please note that UNC’s Institutional Code is R5816. Check the Graduate School website for more information on standardized test score requirements and average scores of admitted applicants.
  • Resume. Applicants should include all communication-related work experience.
  • Three letters of recommendation. Applicants provide email addresses for recommenders in the online application, triggering overnight an email from the application system to the recommender with instructions for electronically submitting a recommendation.  Recommendations should come from academic and/or professional sources best qualified to evaluate the applicant’s potential as a graduate student. Please note that recommendations must be submitted by your recommenders before the application deadline.
  • A statement of reasons for pursuing the degree. Describe your career goals and research interests. Focus on how you think the MATC program will benefit you professionally and personally. Also address how you plan to incorporate a part-time master’s program into your schedule. Focus on time management strategies and your ability to meet the course demands and residency requirements. The statement should be double-spaced and no longer than three pages.

The application process is administered centrally by the UNC Graduate School at http://gradschool.unc.edu/admissions/instructions.html. Only complete applications can be considered for admission. Complete applications are defined as those accompanied by the $85 fee and containing unofficial transcripts, official GRE scores submitted by ETS, a resume, a statement of purpose, and, if necessary, TOEFL scores.

Admissions Interview

All applicants being considered for admission undergo an interview with the MATC Admissions Committee. These interviews will be conducted remotely via web-conferencing.

During the interview, special attention is given to the student’s academic and professional background as well as to his or her strategies for managing the program course load while meeting work and family responsibilities.

Scholarships

Federal financial aid is available for MATC students who are enrolled a minimum of 4.5 hours per semester and who show financial need. The aid is typically limited to federal loans.  No scholarships, grants, assistantships or fellowships are currently available through the UNC School of Media and Journalism.

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