THE BTMM masters program
Welcome to the Master of Arts Program in BTMM. A component of the School of Communications and Theater, Temple University's BTMM MA program provides students with both professional and scholarly enrichment.
This site offers an overview of the MA program and includes information pertinent to both incoming and current MA students. Look for contact information, request applications and other materials, browse our concentrations and curriculum, download or view the all important MA Manual.
Overview
The Master of Arts in Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media is designed for two types of degree candidates.
Some BTMM Master's students pursue the degree to advance in corporate, public or non-profit communication industries. These students take courses in relevant applied communication courses such as advertising, public relations, TV production, management and organizational communication.
Other BTMM Master's students pursue a course of study that prepares them for a doctoral program in communication or a cognate discipline. Some students who earn the MA in BTMM proceed to the doctoral program in Mass Media & Communication (MM&C) at Temple.
Program Concentrations
The BTMM Master's Program provides graduate students with both scholarly and professional training.
Communication Scholarship
The BTMM MA offers a strong and diverse scholarly curriculum with a general foundation in communication theory and methodology. Introductory, intermediate, and advanced courses are offered in the following areas of study:
• Institutions
The history, economics, law, regulation, and policy pertaining to broadcast, cable, and new technology industries in both national and international contexts.
• Social Processes
The psychology, sociology, cultural study and politics of both mass media and communications technology, particularly in terms of their impact on everyday life.
• Organizations and Networks
The analysis of the behavior and management of communications systems, particularly in terms of mass media industries and institutions.
Many BTMM students concentrate wholly on the Department's scholarly curriculum as an excellent preparation for doctoral training, and the MA in BTMM can be a preparatory degree for Temple's doctoral program in communication.
Media Production and Business
In preparation for a professional career, BTMM master's students may pursue media training in areas such as:
• TV, radio, computer, and multimedia production
• Corporate communications
• Media management, marketing, and research
• Media publicity and advertising
BTMM's media production and business orientation points students toward careers in:
• TV and radio corporations and stations
• Marketing and advertising agencies
• Educational Institutions
• Profit and non-profit industries
The program also offers internship opportunities in media industries relevant to the students' interests.
Your Academic Advisor
Upon admission to the program, students are advised by the MA program director. During the first year of the program, students then choose an academic advisor. This person can help the student plan his or her program of study; provide necessary approval signatures during the registration process each semester; and serve as chairperson of the student's comprehensive examination committee.
Since goals may evolve or affinities change, the student may opt at any point following admission to change his or her advisor with the approval of the new advisor. Such changes are not unusual, nor are they problematic and the student should feel free to make them.
Program Timeline
By February 15 for fall admission
Submit application materials (GRE scores, official transcripts, TOEFL [if required], letters of reference, statement of purpose)
Semester 1 (Fall)
(Suggested: 7 credits)
Take three core courses: BTMM 5011, BTMM 5114 and BTMM 9845
Meet with academic advisor
Submit Petition for Transfer Credit form [if appropriate]
Semester 2
(Suggested: 9 or more credits)
Take remaining required course: BTMM 5021 or BTMM 5041—and two or three other courses
Semester 3
(Suggested: 9 or more credits)
Take three or more courses
Meet with academic advisor to discuss Thesis, Project, or Comprehensive Examinations
Semester 4
(Suggested: 9 credits)
Take two courses, including possibly Master's Thesis or Project
Submit application to graduate (deadline is typically early in semester; see SCT Dean's Office for details)
Prepare for and take Comprehensive Examinations if you are not doing a Thesis or Project
Graduation
*Remember that 36 credits are required in order to graduate. Students must take either a Thesis or Project OR take Comprehensive Examinations with no Thesis or Project.
Congratulations to Jared Browsh
Jared Browsh has won the debut paper award from BEA for his paper White Male Domination of Network Primetime Animated Sitcoms. He will present the paper at the annual BEA convention in Las Vegas in April.
Congratulations to Jan Fernback
Professor Fernback is this year's winner of the Lindback Foundation Award for Distinguished Teaching.
The BTMM ESPN Connection
Another year and Temple's BTMM Department continues its growing relationship with ESPN and its various networks. On September 9, Tom Monfiletto had his work featured in ESPNU's national coverage of the Temple-Central Michigan football game. Tom did a piece on Temple's two backfield stars.
Tom is our first Master's student to be featured on ESPN since the network started taking our pieces three years ago as part of its Campus Connection program.
Congratulations to Barry Vacker The Media Ecology Association has named Barry's experimental film -- Space Times Square -- winner of the 2009 John Culkin Award for Outstanding Praxis in the Field of Media Ecology.
Previous award winners (click and scroll down) have included Jerome Agel for Medium is the Massage CD/audio book and Douglas Rushkoff for The Merchants of Cool documentary for PBS Frontline.
Vacker's 24-minute film will be featured at the upcoming 2010 Media Ecology Association conference and can be viewed in YouTube in three parts: one, two, three.
Congratulations to Jan Fernback
Her book, "Teaching Media Studies and Communication: Pedagogy and Practice," will be published by Routledge.
Congratulations to Hector Postigo
Barry Vacker's recent writing and experimental media projects
Vacker's Space Times Square to be shown in Hamburg, Dallas and Philadelphia
Barry Vacker's documentary screened in Beijing
BTMM M.A. graduate Katie Donnelly publishes“Youth Participation and Media Literacy on The-N.com”
Barry Vacker's film chosen for Paris festival
Barry Vacker's essay selected as text for Peter Grasner's book
Profile of one student in the Master of Arts Program
American Communication Association (ACA)
Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications (AEJMC)
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
Communication Institute for Online Scholarship (CIOS)
Electronic Frontier Foundation
International Communication Association (ICA)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
National Communication Association (NCA)
Pew Internet and American Life Project
Mass Media & Communication (MM&C) Doctoral Program
MMC Program's Suggested Websites for Research
MMC Program's Resources for Writing
