A cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is preferred, and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in major course work is required. Each graduate department may have additional “special admission requirements” which are noted on this page.

• Completed on-line application and signature page or
• Download the paper application (HTML) | (Acrobat)
• The non-refundable $45 application fee (Waivers accepted for FAMU Feeder Program and McNair Scholars)
• Official transcripts must be submitted directly from the Registrar’s Office from ALL colleges and universities attended
• GRE Scores (Only official score reports are accepted within 5 years of the test date) www.gre.org
• Statement of Academic and Research Interest
• Autobiographical Sketch (Personal biography)
• Resume
• Three letters of recommendation Word

For International Applicants

In addition to the requirements listed above you must meet the following:

• Official transcripts, certificates and/or mark/grade sheets must be sent directly from the college or university to the Office of Graduate Recruitment and Admissions, and must show proof of degree(s) earned, courses taken and marks/grades received. Also, ALL transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or AACRAO (www.aacrao.org) and be forwarded to Graduate Recruitment and Admissions.
• TOEFL Scores (Minimum computer-based score of 213 is required and only official score reports are accepted within 2 years of the test date) www.toefl.org

The MCMS program is an interdepartmental graduate program that spans the Departments of Journalism, Radio/TV/Film, and Communication & Culture. The MCMS program is administered by the Division of Mass Communication & Media Studies, which is comprised of the Journalism and RTVF Departments and housed in the Howard University John H. Johnson School of Communications.

The Mass Communication and Media Studies program embraces diverse approaches to the study of media and society. We have a deep commitment to social justice with a special interest in underrepresented groups. We seek to imbue in our students a critical frame of mind and a sense of obligation to act as leaders in a global sense to promote balance and understanding of the mutual relationship between culture and media.

Core (15 cr)

MCMS 700 Proseminar in Mass Comm. & Media Studies
COMC 701 Quantitative Research Methods
COMC 702 Qualitative Research Methods
MCMS 705 African-American Issues in Mass Comm.
MCMS 750 Seminar in Mass Comm. Theory

Electives - 5 or 6 courses (15 - 18 cr.)

MCMS 722 Seminar in Political Communication
MCMS 752 Seminar in Mass Communication Effects
MCMS 753 Seminar in Mass Comm. Policy and Administration
MCMS 754 Seminar in Evaluation Research
MCMS 755 Seminar in Mass Comm. and Popular Culture
MCMS 756 Seminar in Mass Comm. & Development
MCMS 757 Seminar in International Communication
MCMS 758 Seminar in Mass Communication Technology
MCMS 759 Seminar in Internet and Society
MCMS 760 Seminar in Information Society and Culture
MCMS 787 Special Topics - can cross-list with MCMS 654

Cognate - 2 or 3 courses in another field (6 - 9 cr.)

The student takes 15 credits of MCMS electives and 9 credits of cognate OR 18 credits of MCMS electives and 6 credits of cognate for a total of 24 credits combined 

Research Tool/Foreign Language (0-6 cr)

The Graduate School does not require credit hours here; our students generally take the methodology option (see program handbook), which requires six credits.

Dissertation (12 cr)