The Hank Greenspun School of Journalism & Media Studies offers a graduate program of study leading to a Master of Arts degree. Courses of study are designed to engage research in diverse career arenas such as human resources, politics, advertising, education, public relations, broadcasting, and social services, as well as for students who aspire to continue their education in doctoral programs.

All students are required to take two core courses, methods and theory, as well as a 1-credit colloquium. Because each student's goals are unique, the curriculum allows flexibility in developing individual degree programs. Such development aims to balance the discipline's varied traditions in theoretical, historical, and applied research, with particular attention to the changing culture of the twenty-first century.

To Apply

Applications to graduate school are now completed online. Visit the Graduate College home page and click on Apply to Graduate School in the upper right hand corner.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate College, the school typically requires:

1. A minimum GPA of 3.00.
2. Satisfactory scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Exam.
3. At least three letters of recommendation from individuals who are competent to discuss the applicant's intellectual ability and promise as a graduate student.
4. A brief description (one or two pages long) of the applicant's goals and expectations in pursuing graduate study in communication.
5. A writing sample-a college course paper or something similar is acceptable.

The deadline for Admission is March 15

Degree Requirements

Unless you were admitted under the conditions of a previously published Graduate Handbook, all students in the program (effective fall 2010) are required to complete the following core courses:

JMS 708: Journalism and Media Studies Colloquium (1 credit)
JMS 708: Introduction to Research Methods in Journalism and Media Studies (3 credits)
JMS 730: Theories Of Journalism & Media Studies (3 credits)

Students have the choice of doing original research leading to the writing of a thesis or completing a non-traditional thesis, following the guidelines of the Graduate College and from the JMS Graduate Handbook. Programs of study are designed to meet the student's individual professional or personal objectives. Although an undergraduate degree in journalism or media studies is not required for admission to the program, a student without a background in these or related areas may be required to complete course work in addition to the minimum requirements.

Thesis Track

A student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of approved course work plus six hours of thesis credits. The classes may include 9 credits outside the Hank Greenspun School of Journalism & Media Studies. Non-traditional forms of the thesis will be allowed if they are consistent with the overall objectives of the program. An oral examination on the thesis is required.

Graduate Courses

Click here to view graduate courses at unlv.edu

General Information

Click here for Graduate Handbook (PDF)
Note: Updated Spring 2013 for new students beginning Fall 2013