Graduate Program in Communication & Culture
A Partnership of Ryerson University and York University

MA Degree Requirements

Students must complete the equivalent of 8 or 9 credits, including three required core courses, a foundation course in two of the three areas of specialization, the MA seminar and a Major Research Paper or a Thesis or Project. The remaining courses are to be chosen from the list of elective courses, including field placements or diredted readings [up to a maximum of two credits].

MA Thesis or Project [8 credits + thesis or project]
Required Courses CC8900 Core Issues in Cultural Theory [one credit] CC8901 Core Issues in Communication Theory [one credit] CC8902 Research Methods Workshop [one credit] Foundation Course, Major stream [one credit] Foundation Course, Minor stream [one credit]
Elective Courses  Three additional credits (courses in at least two streams of study)
Proposal Formal proposal for Thesis or Project
Project or Thesis Candidates must undertake research or project-related work under the direction of three faculty members (including one from each university). The principal supervisor must be a member of the core faculty of the Program. Candidates must submit a thesis (of about 100 pages) based on original research in appropriate thesis form or a project (in appropriate form) that breaks new ground in an area of applied work and a Project Paper (of about 30 pages) demonstrating the contribution of the work. See below for further information on the Project Option.
Other - CC8903 Pro-Seminar in Communication Research and Practice [non-credit] - Oral examination on Thesis or Project (including Project Paper)
Minimum Time To Completion - see Balance of Degree Fee statement on YSGS Fees site Full-time students: Four terms Part-time students: Eight terms

MA Major Research Paper (9 credits + Major Research Paper)
Required Courses CC8900 Core Issues in Cultural Theory [one credit] CC8901 Core Issues in  Communication Theory [one credit] CC8902 Research Methods Workshop [one credit] Foundation Course, Major stream [one credit] Foundation Course, Minor stream [one credit]
Elective Courses Four additional credits (courses in at least two streams of study)
Proposal Formal proposal for the Major Research Paper
Major Research Paper Candidates must undertake research under the direction of a faculty member on an approved topic and submit a paper of about 50 pages incorporating this research. The paper will be assessed by the supervisor and a second reader.
Other CC8903 Pro-Seminar in Communication Research and Practice [non-credit]
Minimum Time To Completion - see Balance of Degree Fee statement on YSGS Fees site Full-time students: Four terms Part-time students: Eight terms

Options

Major Research Paper [M.R.P.]: A paper of about 50 pages reporting research on a topic approved by a faculty advisor.

Project: A project, such as a video or multimedia production, that breaks new ground in an area of applied work, with a Project Paper of about 30 pages documenting the work involved, placing it in the context of theory and practice in the field, and explaining its originality.

The project option permits MA candidates to undertake and report on advanced work in non-traditional ways. Projects could include an audio, video, or multi-media production, a website or network design, a photographic essay, technical manual, or strategic information plan, among many possible examples. The required project paper must document the work involved, place it in the context of the theory and practice in the field, and explain the originality of its contribution [how it "breaks new ground"].

Thesis: A report of about 100 pages based on original research under the direction of a supervisory committee.