How To Get A Master Degree In Global Strategic Communications

Transcription

1 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (GSC PROGRAM) Entrance requirements are subject to change As of 08/01/2012 DEADLINES: FALL 2013 admissions/ APRIL 1 st for INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS/ June 1 st 2013 for domestic applicants SPRING 2014 Admissions/SEPTEMBER 1 st, 2013 for INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS October 1 st 2013 for domestic applicants ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL ABOUT GSC PROGRAM DETAILS APPLICATION INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS GSC CURRICULUM TUITION AND FEES ABOUT GRADUATE SCHOOL Why should I get a master s degree? Different from your undergraduate experience, which gives you a broad and general education, graduate school offers you specialized knowledge and advanced learning concentrating on specific disciplines or sub-disciplines. A GSC master s degree advances your knowledge in problem-solving, decision-making processes, and strategic thinking. It provides you with elevated learning in analysis and reasoning, and requires active participation and application of knowledge to current global communication issues. When should I go to graduate school? You can go to graduate school at any age as long as you have received a bachelor s degree. You can go immediately after finishing your undergraduate education or after having been out of school for some time. You should go to graduate school when you feel ready to advance your intellectual skills so that you get the most out of the experience. A master s degree usually

2 provides you the professional experience and knowledge that bring career advancement and personal satisfaction. ABOUT GSC What is the GSC master s? The Global Strategic Communications (GSC) graduate program is a 36-credit course of study leading to a Master of Science in Mass Communication. The program teaches communications theory and strategy, not necessarily technical skills. You will learn to analyze organizations' business problems and recommend communications solutions using an array of communications strategies. You will learn an audience-focused, data-driven approach to communicating with publics. It is an interdisciplinary program that emphasizes strategic planning and the integration of marketing communications and all communications tools. To apply go to What does "global strategic communication" mean? Global strategic communications is a real life concept where organization s must use different tools and methods for communicating with its culturally diverse audiences, all the while maintaining a consistent message and strategy. Who is best suited for the GSC? The program is a good fit for: - Someone with an undergraduate degree in communications who wants to expand his/her knowledge for career advancement; - Managers who have received communication responsibilities and want to enhance their practical experience with strategic and theoretical knowledge as well as research skills; - People who want to prepare to enter the communications field from another career. For those individuals, additional preparation before entering the program is recommended. PROGRAM DETAILS How long does the program take to complete? Most students complete the master s program in months, depending on how many courses they are able to take each semester. You can tailor the program s pace according to your needs. The class schedule enables you to organize your studies to complete the master s from one year and a half to three academic years. There are three possible time frame plans for your studies: one year and half plan (4-5 semesters) two years plan (6-7 semesters) three years plan (8-10 semesters)

3 What if I don t have a communications related bachelor s? Students entering the program who have an undergraduate degree in another discipline such as psychology, education, finance, or business must take two pre-requisite courses. These courses will help in understanding terminology and basic concepts. They are: PUR 3000 Principles of Public Relations ADV 3008 Principles of Advertising APPLICATION What are the entrance requirements? Must have a bachelor s degree or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution or, in the case of foreign students, an institution recognized as an institution of higher learning. 4 to 5 years of study with a degree awarded. 3 years degrees are not acceptable. Minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (last 60 credits of your baccalaureate degree) GRE Examination- We are looking for a 153 and 160 score for the verbal section. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for international students only. Minimum score of 550 on the written exam or a minimum score of 213 on the computerbased, or a minimum score of 80 on the Internet-based TOEFL. A 6.3 on the IELTS exam is also accepted. - For testing dates and times please visit What documents do I need in order to apply in the GSC program? Most information regarding application, deadlines, costs, and such can be found at Here s a breakdown of the application process and materials: To apply for entrance to the program, please go to: Official transcripts must be received in a sealed envelope from the institutions where you ve attended school Official TOEFL scores (certain international students only). To see a list of TOEFL exempt countries, visit: GRE examination results A professional résumé or curriculum vitae An ESSAY ( words in length) o Title: What do you believe is the purpose of global strategic communications and what challenges does it pose for communications leaders?

4 OR What do you believe is the future of global strategic communications and how are communication leaders preparing for it? Recommendation letters (optional) Where do I send the application/entrance documents? All documents should be sent to: Ms. Maria Parilla Graduate Admissions Office P.O. Box Miami, FL For Overnight/Courier Services: Graduate Admissions Office SW 8 th Street, PC 231 Miami, FL What is the deadline for the GSC entrance application for fall and spring? The fall semester application deadline is June 1 for U.S. citizens, and April 1 for international students. The spring semester application deadline is October 1 for U.S. citizens, and September 1 for international students. For more information on admission and application deadlines please go to Steps to follow for on-line application 1. Go to 2. Click on Prospective Students 3. Scroll down and Click on : Apply Online 4. Click on: Masters Program-Applications 5. You will be taken to the Welcome to 's New User Login page 6. Fill in applicable fields and continue to the end of application.

5 7. When completed click on Submit and your FIU Panther ID number will be generated How much is the application fee and how do I pay? You will be asked to pay the application fee of US$30.00 online using a major credit card (Visa, Master Card, American Express, or Discover) or you may pay the application fee by using a Personal Check or Money Orders drawn in U.S. Dollars. Please be mindful that no application will be considered until the application fee is paid. Mail payment to: Graduate Admissions Office PO Box Miami, FL For Overnight/Courier Services mail to: Graduate Admissions Office SW 8 th Street, PC 231 Miami, FL If I don t satisfy the entrance requirements, are there any exceptions? A limited number of admissions exceptions are available for students who do not meet the minimum requirements. Go to for details. How long does the admission application review process take? Applicants can check their application status online by logging into PantherSoft or by calling When a decision is reached on your application, you will be notified by mail. Can I start the master s in the summer semester? Even though we have rolling admission into the program, you can join the GSC either in the fall or spring semester. Who I can contact for additional information regarding the application and admissions process? For any additional questions regarding the application process please contact: Veronica C. Van Derdys Sztam, M.S. Assistant Director Office of Student Services School of Journalism & Mass Communication Biscayne Bay Campus 3000 NE 151 st Street, AC North Miami, Florida Office: Fax: sztamv@fiu.edu

6 INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS Is there additional documentation needed if I am applying as an international student? In addition to the general required documents for applying to the GSC program, international students are also required to provide: Declaration and certification of finances form Bank letter Sponsor letter To download the forms please visit: There will be other documents required once you are admitted. Please visit or call for more information on international student policies and rules. How are international credentials handled? If your school transcripts are not in English, they must be submitted along with a certified translated document recognizing the courses, grades, and the degree earned. All this is typically handled by the following firm: Josef Silny and Associates 7101 SW 102 Avenue Miami, FL (305) FAX (305) (305) (translations) Students must submit original documentation to the translation agency and. Please retrieve from your institution two (2) copies of the official, sealed transcripts. FIU will not accept copies of these documents. Not having these documents as indicated here will delay your admission process. GSC CURRICULUM What classes are required to complete the GSC program? Students progress through the program by taking mass communications courses as core requirements and specific required courses addressing the disciplines of advertising, public relations, and global communications. The students work culminates in a capstone professional project -- an independent, research-based project that may be one of two options (an integrated campaign plan or a scholarly research project). All coursework is reflected in the following tracksheet: df Can I transfer graduate credits from other schools?

7 FIU will accept a maximum of six credits from other accredited universities as long as they are officially on your academic transcript and you have the class syllabi for evaluation. There is a process for this that you must discuss with Prof. Park, graduate coordinator and professor. Can I work full time and still manage to pursue the GSC program? Yes. About 1/3 of the students work full-time while pursuing their degrees, and another 1/3 work part-time. International students can only work 20 hours maximum during fall and spring semesters. Their employment must be on-campus. What is the usual class schedule? The graduate program is most active during the fall and spring semesters, with limited courses offered during the summer. Classes are either held once a week for an extended block of time (a little less than three hours) or twice a week for about one hour and a half. There is a couple of courses offered online or on Saturdays. Are there any classes offered during the summer? Summer classes are limited, but we do offer two excellent, three-week, international summer programs in Berlin and Seville. Please go here to find out more about these: How many credits can I take in one semester? Even though managing the academic workload varies and depends on the individual, a graduate student is considered to be full-time if he or she takes nine credits or three courses. Therefore, we recommend that first semester students begin with six credits and the following semesters with six to nine credits per semester. If you work part time, you can probably manage to take up to nine credits per semester, again depending on your capabilities and commitments. If you work full time, you should not take more than six credits per semester. For additional class advising, please contact Prof. Park, Graduate Coordinator of the GSC program. International students on a F1 visa must take at least nine credits in fall and spring semesters. Students with conditional admission will have to comply with a specific number of credits per semester. Who do I contact for class advising? For any advising in the GSC, you may contact Prof. David Park, djpark@fiu.edu. Please keep in mind that depending on your undergraduate coursework, there is likely to be variations in advisement for each student. What are the requirements for the professional project?

8 Upon completion of 27 credits in GSC, you can register for MMC 6950 Professional Project. Effective Fall 2007, all students who plan to register for MMC 6950 are required to attend a Professional Project Orientation (PUR 5602). The mandatory orientation will provide students with full understanding of the process and expectations. The orientation will be offered early in the Fall for those wishing to complete their projects in the Spring, and early in the Spring for those wishing to complete their projects the following fall semester. If you have any questions regarding MMC 6950, you may contact Prof. Park, graduate coordinator. Where can I find the Professional Project Guidelines and forms associated with this? All forms associated with Professional Project can be found on the SJMC website by clicking here: TUITION AND FEES What is the cost of the GSC program? Generally it depends on your residency status with the university. For In State students the tuition only could cost up to $16, and for Out of State/or International students up to $34,000.00, or higher depending on the fees/ and other financial responsibilities. Please keep in mind that these are approximation amounts. PER CREDIT HOUR TUITION AND FEES FOR NEW GRADUATE STUDENTS FL Resident Non-FL Resident Graduate $ $ Per semester fees Athletic $10.00 $10.00 Health $67.20 $67.20 Transportation $82.39 $82.39 Each a. Admitted for Fall 2006 or thereafter. b. Student credit for a domestic student is $ and each credit for an International This amount includes $42.59 per credit fees. c. This amount includes $66.59 per credit fees. d. Transportation access is $75.97 in the summer term. Fall/Spring = $82.39; including the Example: is $ that will be multiplied by the amount of credits. sales tax. Program requires 36 credits and you are an international applicant: 36 x = $32, plus other fess These amounts are subject to change and it does not include accommodations, materials and other miscellaneous/incidentals. If you are an international applicant, you will not be allowed to work; therefore you must count with the financial stability to cover all

9 expenses from this program for your semesters living in a foreign city (e.g, lodging, food, transportation, materials, etc.) Housing Information: Please visit this website for more information on Residential Life at FIU: Financial Aid and Loans: Please visit this website for more information on Financial Aid and student loans: Follow us on Twitter: