Mass Telecommunication

The Master of Arts in Mass Communication – Telecommunication program in the UF College of Journalism and Communications combines courses in Mass Communication, Telecommunication, and other areas relevant to the student’s goals. There is a thesis track, appropriate for students who will later seek the Ph.D. or who wish to learn the skills and knowledge associated with thesis research or project in lieu of thesis.

The Telecommunication track is designed for students with the following interests:

• Operation or management of telecommunication outlets (broadcast stations, cable systems, program distributors, etc.) and emerging media
• Telecommunication regulation and policy
• Audience research
• Preparation for an advanced degree

This program admits students in Fall and Spring semesters.  Students selected for this specialization may come from any undergraduate discipline.

Sample Courses

• Telecommunication Regulation

Examines the role of the several branches of government in the development, implementation and enforcement of laws and regulation of the electronic media; and of the structural and behavioral laws and regulations pertinent to the electronic media.

• Audience Analysis

The study of audiences and their behavior from both theoretical and practical perspectives, using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Understand, interpret, and use industry data, audience research software, and audience theory. Understand the role technology and economics play in the audience formation process. Students learn to think strategically and theoretically in approaching, conceptualizing, and carrying out audience analysis and behavior studies.

• Telecommunication Management

Management principles of the telecommunications industry, with practical and theoretical application for television, radio, film, online, and other electronic media sectors.

• Telecommunication Outlets Systems and Practices

Structural and procedural elements of broadcast stations, cable systems, and other local radio-television facilities. Review of research and models in telecommunications administration, economic planning and control, merchandising and positioning, sales and advertisin

• Mass Communication Theory

This course includes a survey of some core journalism-focused mass media theories and examines contributions of other disciplines to media theory. Additionally, it includes an introduction to the fundamentals of academic research.

• Research Methods in Mass Communication

This course provides an overview of common mass communication research methods. Specifically, we will discuss content analysis, experiments, surveys and focus groups. You will learn the benefits and shortcomings for each method. In addition, you will also be introduced to SPSS, a software program used to analyze data.

• Mass Communication and Society

The purpose of this course is to give students in journalism, advertising, public relations, telecommunications, and other mass communications fields the opportunity to explore issues in the interaction between mass media/mass communication institutions and society. The course is aimed at helping students to develop a critical perspective on mass media as they consider different ways in which media institutions and media content affect — and are affected by — individuals and society. In particular, students are expected to engage in evaluation and discussion of the responsibilities media practitioners and media organizations have toward the larger society and how those responsibilities should be translated into individual behavior and organizational (or governmental) policies. Because the focus of the course is on contemporary issues and problems involving mass media institutions and professions, readings tend to be drawn from recent works rather than classic or seminal ones, although the classic works certainly may sometimes inform the debate.

• Download this form and submit with a $30 application fee if payment was not made during the online application process.
• Have official transcripts sent from all post-secondary institutions. (A copy will also need to be sent to the College of Journalism and Communications.  See below.)
• Contact the Educational Testing Service and have them send your official GRE scores.
  • A verbal score of 550/156 and a quantitative score of at least 550/146 are strongly preferred. Some applications with scores slightly below the minimum will be considered. Applications with GRE verbal scores below 400/140 will not be processed. GRE scores are valid for five years.
• If you’re an international student, submit your official TOEFL scores to the address above.
  • Contact the Educational Testing Service and have them send your official report. A score of at least 550 (paper-based), and 90 (internet-based) is required to be considered for admission. We also accept IELTS scores with minimum of “6.” This requirement applies only to applicants from countries in which English is not the official language and includes U.S. territories and protectorates where English is not the primary language. You will not be required to submit a TOEFL score if you have spent at least one academic year at a college or university in a country where English is the official language. Intensive English language programs are excluded from the year of study provision. TOEFL and IELTS scores are valid for two years. (For information on the College’s English-language enhancement program, clickhere.)

• Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistants have part-time teaching or research duties; they are required to register for reduced study loads, according to the schedule for their appointment. Students on appointment are financially liable for excess credits beyond the required registrations.

• Graduate School Fellowship

The Graduate School Fellowship (GSF) Awards program represents the most prestigious graduate student award provided by the Graduate School. This award is provided to PhD programs as well as MFA programs to recruit the most qualified students to pursue graduate-level study and research at the University of Florida. These awards support new students in all graduate programs awarding a Ph.D. or MFA.

• Grinter Fellowship Program

Named in honor of Dr. Linton E. Grinter, Dean of the Graduate School from 1952 to 1969, this fellowship helps recruit truly exceptional graduate students. Currently enrolled graduate students are not eligible, except when entering a Ph.D. (or other terminal degree) program.

• CJC Dean’s Award

This fellowship helps recruit truly exceptional graduate students.

Other Funding Sources

• UFIC International Student Emergency Hardship Scholarship

The UFIC has established a scholarship for international students experiencing unforeseen financial difficulties that are beyond their control.

• Scarborough Scholarship

The Scarborough agency established this award to show appreciation for the opportunity to work with international students at the University of Florida.

• Scarborough-Maud Fraser Scholarship

The Scarborough agency established this award to show appreciation for the outstanding service provided by the International Student Services Staff. The Award will be given in Honor of Mrs. Maud Fraser, who provided outstanding service to international students for 13 years. Mrs. Fraser retired June 30, 2010.

• Graduate School Dissertation Awards

This is a competitive award to provide final term funding for UF PhD candidates in selected majors in the humanities, arts, and social sciences to complete their dissertations through defense, final clearance by the Editorial Office, and graduation. This program is for students who have exhausted all funding and meant to allow recipients time and resources to focus exclusively on their dissertation.

• Supplemental Retention Scholarships

The UF OGMP Supplemental Retention Scholarship Program is designed for UF doctoral students, who are three or fewer semesters away from graduation, but are no longer eligible to receive a fellowship, assistantship or other funding from their department or college. It provides limited tuition assistance and the help of a structured retention program under the UF Office of Graduate Minority Programs. Recipients must be US citizens or permanent resident aliens.

• FAMU Feeder Program

The Florida A&M University (FAMU) Feeder Program affords FAMU students the opportunity to receive advanced study in graduate programs not available at FAMU. UF is 1 of more than 40 universities in the FAMU Feeder Program aimed at increasing the number of FAMU students in graduate programs. UF offers five fellowships every year to qualified FAMU Feeder students who have been admitted to a PhD program. Each fellow receives a $13,000 annual stipend, in-state tuition and health insurance for up to three years.

• McKnight Doctoral Fellowship

The Office of Graduate Minority Programs, in partnership with the Florida Education Fund, administers the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship for African-American and Hispanic students. The program is designed to increase the number of African American and Hispanic faculty in the state of Florida. Each fellow receives an annual $13,000 stipend with tuition, health insurance and fee waiver for a maximum of five years. Applicants must be US Citizens admitted to a University of Florida Ph.D. program and entering the first year of that program.

• McNair Graduate Assistantship Program

The McNair Graduate Assistantship Program was created to provide one year transitional support for students who have successfully completed the McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program as undergraduates. UF provides a limited number of one-year research assistantships for McNair Scholars who are entering a PhD program at this institution. This assistantship program provides a stipend of $13,000, in-state tuition, fees and health insurance for one year. As part of the program, each student will be appointed to a research assistant and expected to conduct research under faculty supervision.

• UF/SFC Development Project

The UF/SFC Development Project is a partnership between the University of Florida and local Santa Fe College that aims to increase faculty diversity at SFC, while providing minority and underrepresented doctoral students at UF with valuable teaching experience. Participants teach three courses per year at SFC and assist in its recruitment and retention of minority and underrepresented students. This program pays tuition, fees and a stipend, an award that may be funded for a maximum of four years. Participants must be US citizens who have a master’s degree in an approved field.

• UF Foundation Aid

For a listing of general university scholarships and fellowships that are either endowed or non-endowed.

• Fulbright

The Fulbright program involves the participation of a large set of collaborating partners in supporting Fulbright fellows at the University of Florida.

• Financial Aid Bulletin Board

To help you fund your graduate education at the University of Florida, this webpage alerts you to fellowships, grants and scholarships offered by organizations outside the university, as the UF Graduate School learns of such financial aid opportunities.