Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Degree Program

The Accelerated Bachelor’s to Master’s (ABM) degree program offered through the Department of Communication Arts is a rigorous and streamlined program that enables students to earn both a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Arts and a Master of Arts in Communication Arts degree in as few as five years.


Why an Accelerated Degree Program?

Students can complete two degrees in 151 hours rather than the 164 required of a traditional consecutive undergraduate and a graduate program. An accelerated program results in a lower cost as well as time-savings for students because they may take up to 9 hours of graduate courses in their fourth year as part of the banded tuition. Students must apply for the ABM program in the beginning of their junior year and have the necessary GPA and GRE scores to enter the program.


Qualifying students can apply for the program and indicate their choice of one of three concentrations:

In the Media and Culture Concentration, students explore the study of media and its applications throughout communities, the country and the world. Its historical, cultural and intellectual impacts are emphasized, as is the media’s relationship to technology and society. In their senior year, ABM students begin their first graduate-level courses, earning credits toward their master’s degree as they complete their bachelor’s. In their fifth year, students continue their study with exclusively graduate-level courses in research methods, practicum and the capstone or thesis course, in addition to electives.

Media and Culture 2021- 2023 Degree Plan

Media and Culture 5-Year Degree Plan

Media and Culture 5-Year Recommended Plan

Undergraduate Level Course Descriptions

Graduate Level Course Descriptions

Designed for students hoping to pursue careers in media, the Multimedia Concentration offers three tracks through which they may tailor their studies. Each track offers courses that sharpen practical and technical skills while also emphasizing production and media theory. Students will also work and build from a strong ethical foundation and approach to media production and presentation. In their senior year, ABM students begin their first graduate-level courses, earning credits toward their master’s degree as they complete their bachelor’s. In their fifth year, students continue their study with exclusively graduate-level courses in research methods, practicum and the capstone or thesis course, in addition to two electives related to their preferred multimedia specialization track.

Tracks

Creative Publishing

In the Creative Publishing Track, students examine and gain hands-on understanding of publishing, from page layout and printing, to convergent media production, to emerging media.

Creative Publishing Track 2021-2023 Degree Plan

Creative Publishing Track 5-Year Degree Plan

Creative Publishing Track 5-Year Recommended Plan

Journalism

In the Journalism Track, students explore the nature of news and reporting across multiple platforms including broadcast, print and, digital

Journalism Track 2021-2023 Degree Plan

Journalism Track 5-Year Degree Plan

Journalism Track 5-Year Recommended Plan

Production

In the Production Track, students will be exposed to the depth and breadth media production, including script writing, lighting, editing, cinematography, producing and directing, and more.

Production Track 2021-2023 Degree Plan

Production Track 5-Year Degree Plan

Production Track 5-Year Recommended Plan

Undergraduate Level Course Descriptions

Graduate Level Course Descriptions

In this program of study, students will explore persuasive, purposeful and results-oriented communications such as public relations, organizational communication, strategic communications and elements of production. The Strategic and Corporate Communication concentration provides students with an in-depth knowledge of the corporate environment. Students will study and analyze organizational dynamics and corporate communication. In their senior year, ABM students begin their first graduate-level courses, earning credits toward their master’s degree as they complete their bachelor’s. In their fifth year, students continue their study with exclusively graduate-level courses in research methods, practicum and the capstone or thesis course, in addition to strategic and corporate communications electives.

Strategic and Corporate Communication 2021-2023 Degree Plan

Strategic and Corporate Communication 5-Year Degree Plan

Strategic and Corporate Communication 5-Year Recommended Plan

Undergraduate Level Course Descriptions

Graduate Level Course Descriptions

 

Careers in Communication Arts

The ABM prepares students for a multitude of careers across industries. Graduates of the UIW Communication Arts programs have gone on to work in a variety of roles, include journalists, producers, on-air talent, media relations professionals and organizational spokespersons, just to name a few. Advanced study further sharpens students’ skills and deepens their understanding of their responsibilities and role as professional communicators, readying them for more senior positions when they enter the workforce.

 

Admission Criteria

Find out more about requirements, standards and processes to begin your journey in the School of Media and Design as a Communications Arts graduate student.

ABM Admissions Requirements