Chapter VI. Graduate Programs

School of Interactive Media and Design

The School of Interactive Media and Design integrates existing programs in a dynamic, thoughtful, and cohesive way in an effort to better serve the needs of the Incarnate Word student. The School of Interactive Media and Design programs emphasize the use of technology and provide students with a firm foundation in theory as well as application. Students participating in these programs develop the necessary knowledge and skills to enable them to become effective professionals in their selected careers. 
                                                                                                               
The Communication Arts Department offers three graduate- level programs: a traditional Masters of Arts in Communication Arts and two Accelerated Bachelors to Masters programs for students who are completing an undergraduate degree in Communication Arts: Bilingual Communications and Media Studies. Students in the Master of Arts in Administration may also select Communication Arts as a concentration. 

COMMUNICATION ARTS (COMM)
Communication Arts at the University of the Incarnate Word offers a unique blend of theory-driven and experienced-based classes.  These classes focus on the critical knowledge and practical skills that prepare students to enter the media industry in a variety of capacities from media studies, multimedia production, print media, public relations and to prepare students for further graduate studies.

In keeping with both the liberal arts approach and the mission of Incarnate Word, the department seeks:

The Communication Arts Graduate program addresses the Guiding Principles and Objectives for Graduate Studies in the following ways:

Communication Arts graduate students will be able to: 

  1. Articulate the social scientific and cultural theories of communication and apply these theories to different communication situations and processes.
  2. Explain the history of ethical thought and philosophical theories of ethics and apply moral theories to situations involving mediated communications.
  3. Research, organize and write scholarly papers in the field of communications.
  4. Explain and employ qualitative and quantitative research methods to the study of communications.
  5. Write, using the appropriate style and structure, products in a variety of communication forms including news, features, scripts, press releases, marketing, and advertising copy.
  6. Comprehend the development of new media technologies and their impact on culture, society and daily-life.
  7. Critique and apply aesthetic principles to visual media and visual design.
  8. Comprehend narrative film theory, visual/aural cinematic structure and cultural studies in the development of meaning in film.
  9. Produce, using a systematic planning process, a variety of multimedia software and equipment, media products, which include video, audio and interactive media.
  10. Demonstrate their ability to communicate well through the spoken and written word and through the use of visual mediums and a variety of technology.
  11. Demonstrate their competency with information technologies for accessing and retrieving information for research and communications purposes.
  12. Demonstrate their ability to develop and create an original proposal and thesis or project based on scholarly practice.
  13. Articulate the social scientific and cultural theories of communication and apply these theories to different communication situations and processes.
  14. Explain the history of ethical thought and philosophical theories of ethics and apply moral theories to situations involving mediated communications.
  15. Research, organize, and write scholarly papers in the field of communications.
  16. Explain and employ qualitative and quantitative research methods to the study of communications.
  17. Write, using the appropriate style and structure, products in a variety of communication forms including news, features, scripts, press releases, marketing, and advertising copy.
  18. Comprehend the development of new media technologies and their impact on culture, society, and daily-life.
  19. Critique and apply aesthetic principles to visual media and visual design.
  20. Comprehend narrative film theory, visual/aural cinematic structure, and cultural studies in the development of meaning in film.
  21. Produce, using a systematic planning process, a variety of multimedia software and equipment, media products, which include video, audio, and interactive media.
  22. Demonstrate their ability to communicate well through the spoken and written word and through the use of visual mediums and a variety of technology.
  23. Demonstrate their competency with information technologies for accessing and retrieving information for research and communications purposes.
  24. Demonstrate their ability to develop and create an original proposal and thesis or project based on scholarly practice.

Communication Arts Program Admission requirements
Students wishing to enter the Communication Arts graduate program must meet all University graduate admissions requirements.

Students must interview with the Communication Arts Director of Graduate Studies and submit a writing sample prior to beginning classes.

Students who lack the appropriate undergraduate degree may be required to take undergraduate leveling classes at the recommendation of the graduate faculty.  At the discretion of the graduate faculty, experience in the field may be substituted for undergraduate prerequisites.

Communication Arts Graduate Degree Programs
The University of the Incarnate Word Communication Arts program offers three graduate level programs of study:  The Traditional Graduate Program and two Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Programs which can only be completed by students who have met the necessary prerequisites as undergraduate students in the traditional Communication Arts undergraduate Communication Arts program offered at the University of the Incarnate Word. 

OPTION I
  Communication Arts Traditional Graduate Program of Study (36-hour program)
Requirements for a Master of Arts in Communication Arts: The Master of Communication Arts degree requires a minimum of 36 hours of graduate study, which includes 18 hours of Communication Arts core courses, and 12-15 hours of elective coursework, and 3 to 6 hours of Mastery Level coursework.
CORE Requirements (18 semester hours)

Core requirements should be taken in sequential order. This sequence ensures students will master the
theoretical skills necessary for a progression of knowledge in the field. 

ELECTIVE Coursework

Students must take elective coursework necessary to complete the 36 hour requirement for the Masters
of  Communication Arts. Other Communication Arts offerings or classes selected from related programs may be taken as electives with the approval of the Graduate Director.

MASTERY Coursework Requirements

       OR

After completion of Core coursework and elective classes, students are required to complete either a capstone
course or complete a written thesis to demonstrate a cumulative mastery of Communication Arts knowledge
and skills.  Students may choose to complete their studies with a master’s thesis comprised of
COMM 63TP (thesis proposal)  and COMM 63TR (Thesis Writing).

Or

Students may choose to complete their studies with a Capstone (Comm 63TP), usually project- driven work.

Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Program in Communication Arts
Accelerated Bachelors to Masters Programs (ABM) are offered to undergraduate students who have met the necessary prerequisites as students in the Communication Arts undergraduate program.  The two ABM programs offered are Media Studies and Bilingual Communication.  This program is restricted to students who have been admitted to, and who have matriculated through the required undergraduate degree plan for the ABM.

OPTION II
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program in Communication Arts
Bilingual Concentration (30-hour program)

Core Requirements (18 Semester hours)

Choose 12 hours of electives from the following courses

OPTION III
Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s Program in Communication Arts -
Media Studies Concentration (30-hour program)

Core Requirements (18 Semester hours)

Choose 12 hours of electives from the following courses

Instructional Technology Concentration (EDIT) Online
Individuals who have a master’s level degree with a concentration in Instructional Technology find work in business and industry, government and education as trainers, instructional designers, curriculum developers, managers of technology resources and producers of instructional media.

The program is designed to allow students the flexibility to follow their own interests. Students take core courses in Education or in Administration and a concentration of course work in Instructional Technology.   All of the Instructional Technology courses are taught as part of the Universe Online program.  The Masters of Administration with a concentration in Instructional Technology is taught entirely online.  The Masters of Education with a concentration in Instructional Technology combines on-campus classes in the Education core with the online Instructional Technology curriculum.

Requirements for the Master’s degree with a concentration in Instructional Technology:
For Core Courses (15 – 18 hours) see M.Ed. and M.A.A degrees. 

Requirements for the Master’s degree with a concentration in Instructional Technology:
For Core Courses (15 – 18 hours) see M.Ed. and M.A.A. degrees. 

Area of Concentration (15 -18 semester hours depending on degree)
EDIT 6343—Foundations of Instructional Technology (recommended sequence 1st course)
EDIT 6344—Instructional System Design (recommended sequence 2nd course)
EDIT 6345—Multimedia Authoring
EDIT 6346—Information Technologies: Internet and the Web (recommended sequence 4th course)
EDIT 63CS—Advanced Instructional Design Project (Capstone for M.Ed.)
EDIT 6347—Distance Learning (recommended sequence 3rd course)

Electives

EDIT 6348—Management of Learning Environments
EDIT 6399—Special topics