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Students pursuing a M.A. degree attend a School of Communication graduate class.

Beginning in the Fall of 2013, Point Park University's School of Communication will offer a 36-credit Master of Arts degree in communication technology. The innovative M.A. program will prepare students to embrace technology as an essential part of their professional portfolio for careers in fields such as multimedia, graphic design, social media and digital journalism.

"This graduate program in communication technology will focus on the recent trends and practices in the area of new and emerging communication technologies," said Tatyana Dumova, Ph.D., associate professor of multimedia. The program "will help its graduates stay current and succeed in an increasingly competitive and technology-driven world."

The M.A. program reaches far beyond skills-based training, keeping communications theory, ethics and legal scholarship at its core and incorporating a focus on new social interaction technologies. Graduates will be well-positioned to pursue careers in the business, government and non-profit sectors that deal with new media production, e-publishing, marketing, public affairs, education and professional training.

The program "will enable students to develop knowledge of industry standard technology tools and applications used to design, produce and disseminate communication messages," Dumova said. The program will also "provide a working familiarity with technology-related principles and practices applied in diverse professional fields that are affected by the established and emerging communication technologies."

The School of Communication developed the program in response to recent developments in communications technology and the need for skilled professionals who not only understand but also embrace those ongoing changes.

"The School of Communication is taking a lead in the region by establishing this M.A. program focused on new media technology," said Steve Hallock, Ph.D., director of the School of Communication and its graduate studies program. "The world of journalism is changing and we are leading this change rather than waiting for it to come to us."

Graduates will also be able to engage in communication technology analysis and research or seek admission to doctoral programs.

"Technology is demanding new processes to further realize the true mission of journalism," said Heather Starr Fiedler, Ph.D., associate professor of multimedia and chair of faculty for the School of Communication. "This program is a great opportunity for people right out of school or for working professionals who are looking to learn new skills and further their academic knowledge."

Courses in the program will be offered for both daytime and evening schedules, giving students the option of completing degree course work entirely through evening classes.

Admissions Requirements

  1. Undergraduate GPA of 2.75 overall, and a 3.0 in the undergraduate major. Applicants with an undergraduate GPA of less than 2.75 overall and/or less than 3.0 in their major(s) must submit a copy of their official GRE scores.
  2. Submit a 500-word statement explaining your motivation and expected benefit in attaining the degree.
  3. Two letters of recommendation from current or former professors and/or current or former employers.
  4. Applicants are encouraged to submit their resume, curriculum vitae, and/or samples of professional work.

Applicants are now being accepted for the Fall 2013 term. For additional information on this program, contact the Office of Graduate and Online Admissions at 412-392-3808 or email gradadmission@pointpark.edu.

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