The MA degree is designed to accomplish three basic goals: (1) to contribute to an individual’s intellectual growth, (2) to develop a critical understanding of the institutions, processes, and effects of mass communication, and (3) to provide advanced preparation for communication careers in advertising, journalism, health and medical journalism, public relations or for further graduate study in communication related fields.
Students can choose to complete a thesis as part of their Master’s program if they are interested in pursuing further graduate study, or they can pursue a non-thesis program which require additional course work and the successful defense of a comprehensive exam.
The MA degree is administered by the Grady College Office of Graduate Studies in cooperation with the College’s three departments: the Department of Advertising & Public Relations, the Department of Journalism, and the Department of Entertainment & Media Studies.
As of January 2021, GRE scores are not required to apply for the Master’s program.
Do you have questions about the UGA Graduate program? One of the links below may help:
… MA thesis option Program Planning Form: *
… MA non-thesis option Program Planning Form: *
… MA non-thesis Program Planning Form: *
(The Integrated Advertising and Public Relations concentration is only available to Grady College Undergraduate students, majoring in either Advertising or Public Relations only!)
… MA non-thesis Program Planning form*
…Details about the Emerging Media Program.
(This MA concentration is designed for students who wish to gain understanding of emerging media, developing content, and strategically managing emerging media to further personal career goals and those of their employers.)
… MA thesis Program Planning Form: *
… MA non-thesis Program Planning Form: *
… MA non-thesis Program Planning Form: *
(non-thesis program only)
For more information, see this program’s overview.
… MA non-thesis Program Planning Form: *
(non-thesis program only)
… MA thesis Program Planning Form: *
(thesis program only)
… MA thesis Program Planning Form: *
… MA non-thesis Program Planning Form: *
Grady College Graduate Advisory Form*
Grady M.A. Degree Program Manual*
Checklist for M.A. with Thesis option*
Checklist for M.A. with NON-Thesis option*
* All forms, checklist and resources are in Adobe .PDF format. While most computers will read this format, if needed, you can download a free .PDF reader www.adobe.com.
If you wish, you can apply for assistantship consideration when you complete the required Supplemental Application.
The UGA Graduate School offers support in the form of University-wide assistantships, Regents’ Opportunity Assistantship, Out-of-State Tuition Waivers and such; however, you cannot apply for these awards, either through the Graduate School or the Grady College. Admitted and enrolled students are nominated by Grady’s Graduate Studies Office for the awards, according to the criteria and deadlines established by the UGA Graduate School.
Direct financial aid queries to the UGA’s Financial Aid Office.
Grady College is pleased to offer several programs for students to earn their master’s degree right after their undergraduate degree. The advantages are great: in many cases, students can complete two degrees in five years, saving time and money. Most importantly, it makes these students more marketable to future employers once they graduate.