Master's Student Handbook - 2021-2022 Master of Arts in Mass Communication (MAMC) - UF College of Journalism ...
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Master’s Student Handbook 2021-2022 Master of Arts in Mass Communication (MAMC)
Table of Contents Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 Contacts and Communication.................................................................................................................................... 4 Academic Honesty and Behavioral Expectations ....................................................................................................... 5 Links ........................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Degree Programs and Specialties .............................................................................................................................. 7 Master’s Program Policies ......................................................................................................................................... 8 General Requirements ............................................................................................................................................... 9 Independent Study................................................................................................................................................... 11 Internships ............................................................................................................................................................... 12 Pro Master’s Practicum ............................................................................................................................................ 13 Registration .............................................................................................................................................................. 15 Minors and Supporting Fields .................................................................................................................................. 16 Timing Policies.......................................................................................................................................................... 17 Grading Policies........................................................................................................................................................ 18 Probation and Suspension ....................................................................................................................................... 19 Course and Degree Policies...................................................................................................................................... 21 Thesis Preparation ................................................................................................................................................... 22 The Thesis................................................................................................................................................................. 24 Final Oral Examination ............................................................................................................................................. 25 The Project in Lieu of Thesis .................................................................................................................................... 26 Professional Project ................................................................................................................................................. 27 Thesis and Post-Thesis Resources ............................................................................................................................ 28 Honors and Awards .................................................................................................................................................. 29 Graduate Program History ....................................................................................................................................... 31
Intro
The University of Florida is a big, The Division of Graduate Studies and
wonderful, comprehensive university. But
Research
sometimes its structure can be confusing.
Sometimes referred to as the graduate division, this is
Here are some basic definitions that may the unit within CJC that administers graduate degree
help. programs. The college awards two graduate degrees:
the Master of Arts in Mass Communication (MAMC)
The Graduate School and the Doctor of Philosophy in Mass Communication
Since 1964, overall responsibility for graduate (Ph.D.).
education at the University of Florida has been
officially vested in the Graduate School. In 2007, the Deans, Directors, Coordinators, Graduate
Graduate School became a unit in the Office of the Faculty
Provost. It provides oversight for graduate education
Each track or specialization within the in-residence
university-wide, as well as standards and policies
MAMC has a faculty coordinator (or faculty director in
governing all graduate programs. the case of the Professional Master’s) who serves as
the initial advisor to incoming students until that
The College of Journalism and
student selects a permanent advisor from the ranks of
Communications the CJC Graduate Faculty. The Associate Dean of
Also known as CJC, our college is one of 16 colleges Graduate Studies and Research reports to the college
at the University of Florida. The college is considered dean and serves as the chair of the CJC Graduate
one of the nation’s best. The strength of its programs, Committee, which includes department chairs and
faculty, students, and alumni throughout its history has faculty representatives from each department as well
earned the college ongoing recognition as one of the as a student representative and representatives from
best journalism and communication programs in the various tracks. The committee makes
United States. The college offers bachelor’s degrees recommendations on admissions, curriculum, and
in advertising; journalism; public relations; and media graduate faculty status. Major recommendations of the
production, management, and technology (MPMT). Graduate Committee, including catalog changes and
The college houses a department for each. CJC conferral of degrees, are brought to the CJC Graduate
Graduate Faculty come from all four areas of Faculty before forwarding to the Graduate School.
expertise.
3
Contacts and Communication
Tom Kelleher, Ph.D. Departmental
Associate Dean, Division of Graduate Studies Communication
2012 Weimer
352-392-6557
The Graduate Studies and Research
tkell@jou.ufl.edu
Division website provides information
including: current student forms, the
Elizabeth Calienes graduate student directory that
Director, Professional Master’s Program includes contact information and
1011 Weimer pictures of current students, course
352-273-3726 offerings, links to the Graduate
calienes@ufl.edu School, and other valuable
information.
Whitney Dotson
Administrative Assistant Graduate student and faculty
2043 Weimer mailboxes are located on the second
352-392-9961 floor in Weimer 2104, near the dean’s
whitneydotson@ufl.edu office. Graduate student mailboxes
are separated into doctoral and
Kimberly Dukes master’s sections with master’s
Academic Assistant students sharing mailboxes. CJC, the
2014 Weimer graduate division, and the Graduate
352-273-1632 School communicate with students
k.dukes@ufl.edu through their GatorLink email
accounts. Please use your GatorLink
Kim Holloway (@ufl.edu) email address as your
Administrative Specialist III primary email source for the
2018 Weimer university and this college. Your
352-392-6557 postal address should be kept current
klhollow@ufl.edu in the Registrar’s database. The UF
Identity Registry is the sole source of
your contact information at the
University of Florida. Make sure the
Daressa Howard Hope
information is up to date by logging
Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator on to the myUFL portal with your
2015 Weimer GatorLink username and password.
352-273-3412 Navigate to My Account > Update My
daressahoward@ufl.edu Directory Profile in the myUFL portal.
Updating of information does not
Natalia Mojica occur through the emergency contact
Admissions Officer updates or through your program
2013 Weimer coordinator.
352-273-1633
nataliamojica@ufl.edu
Graduate Faculty
The college’s graduate faculty members, along with the undergraduate
departments in which they hold appointment, are listed on the graduate
faculty website.
4
Academic Honesty and Behavioral
Expectations
All graduate students in the College of Journalism and Communications are expected
to conduct themselves with the highest degree of integrity. It is the students’
responsibility to ensure they know and understand the requirements of every
assignment. At a minimum, this includes avoiding the following:
Plagiarism paper. And you may refer to your recycling” policy in relation to your
own work in a subsequent paper – re-use of portions of earlier papers,
Plagiarism occurs when an
simply cite that earlier paper, just even if you were the sole author of
individual presents the ideas or
as you would cite a paper written the earlier paper.
expressions of another as his or
by another scholar.
her own. Students must always
What types of materials must be
credit others’ ideas with accurate
Many students find the concept of cited to avoid plagiarism? In short,
citations and must use quotation
self-plagiarism confusing because, everything. Any material you use,
marks and citations when
after all, if you wrote the original from any source, MUST be
presenting the words of others. A
paper, how can it be “stealing” to properly cited. If you did not write
thorough understanding of
re-use your own words? The the material – and if you did not
plagiarism is a precondition for
problem is that when readers pick write it the way it appears in the
admittance to graduate studies in
up a new paper by a scholar paper – you must give credit to the
the college.
whose previous work they have original author or source. This
read, they expect all the material to includes material from scholarly
Self-plagiarism be new. They don’t expect to see publications, social media,
Self-plagiarism is defined as an “recycled” material. Certainly, a webpages, videos, newspapers,
author’s re-use of portions of his or journal editor who agrees to magazines, advertising, press
her own earlier work without citing publish your article expects that he releases, TV, conference papers,
the original content. So, for or she would not be able to find speeches, etc.
instance, it would be considered identical or nearly identical material
self-plagiarism if you copied the in articles you’ve had published Cheating
literature review you wrote for one earlier. Self-plagiarism, therefore,
Cheating occurs when a student
paper and re-used it in another can damage your reputation as a
circumvents or ignores the rules
related paper without substantial scholar.
that govern an academic
alteration. Obviously, when you are
assignment such as an exam or
writing multiple papers on a similar During your graduate program, you
class paper. It can include using
topic, you are likely to cite many of may want to write more than one
notes (physical or electronic) in an
the same articles more than once. paper on the same or a similar
exam, submitting the work of
However, to avoid self-plagiarism, topic. When you do, you should
another as one’s own, or reusing a
you should write each new discuss your plans – and any
paper a student has composed for
literature review independently so previous papers you’ve written
one class in another class. If
that you are not repeating the using similar materials – with the
students are not sure about the
same sentences in more than one professor in the class. Although it’s
rules that govern an assignment, it
paper. Of course, direct quotes expected that your work in later
is the students’ responsibility to ask
from other authors’ works may be classes will build on work you’ve
for clarification from their instructor.
used in multiple papers, so long as done in previous classes, most
they are cited properly in each professors follow a fairly strict “no
5
Links
Misrepresenting Research Data
Links
The integrity of data in communication research is a paramount issue
for advancing knowledge and the credibility of our professions. For this Deadline Dates
reason, any intentional misrepresentation of data, or misrepresentation All graduate school deadline
of the conditions or circumstances of data collection, is considered a dates are available online.
violation of academic integrity.
Checklist for Master’s
Misrepresenting data reported in a thesis, project, or dissertation is a
clear violation of the rules and requirements of academic integrity and Thesis
honesty. This checklist is an essential
guide to help the student
Any violation of the above stated conditions is grounds for immediate through the thesis process and
dismissal from the program and will result in revocation of the degree if can be found online.
the degree previously has been awarded.
The University Calendar
Behavioral Expectations The calendar is published
As stated in the UF Student Conduct Code, “By becoming a member of online in the graduate catalog.
the University of Florida community, a Student agrees to adhere to its
Student Honor Code and its Student Conduct Code. Students acting as Graduate School
individuals or as members of Student Organizations are expected to
follow all applicable Laws and Regulations. University Regulations Listserv
have been designed to promote the safety of people and the campus The Graduate School
community, to create an environment conducive to learning, and to maintains a listserv for all UF
achieve the mission of the Institution.” Please review the code online. graduate students and will
communicate only through
your GatorLink email account.
Please use your GatorLink
email as your primary email
source for the university and
this college.
The graduate student listserv is
one of the primary ways the
Graduate School keeps in
touch with graduate students to
share the latest information on
academic policy and deadlines,
financial aid news, and
professional development
opportunities.
All currently enrolled graduate
students are added to the
listserv automatically and
cannot opt out. The list
membership is adjusted nightly
based on the UF Office of the
Registrar’s nightly enrollment
updates.
6
Degree Programs and Specialties
The college offers, through its Division of Graduate Studies and Research, college-wide graduate
degree programs, with faculty members drawn from the four undergraduate departments. All college
faculty members hold an appointment in one of the undergraduate departments: Advertising;
Journalism; Public Relations; and Media Production, Management, and Technology. The master’s
program leads to a degree bearing the title Master of Arts in Mass Communication (MAMC). The
MAMC includes both thesis and non-thesis options on campus.
Professional Master’s (non-thesis): The Professional Master’s program is an on-campus program
designed specifically for those who want to develop additional skills to become more competitive in the job market.
The program’s “mix and match” coursework structure allows students to develop their own customizable degree plans,
with 15 credits of required core courses and a wide range of electives available across the college’s four departments.
Degree plans culminate with a capstone project, completed over at least two semesters and supervised by a Graduate
Faculty Committee. Student projects range from documentary films and long-form journalistic narrative pieces to public
relations and advertising campaigns, and many others in between. These projects allow students to explore various
interests within the college and showcase a variety of skills learned during their course of studies.
Customizable Research & Theory Master’s (thesis): In the Research and Theory track, students
learn the ideas and skills needed for satisfying life-long careers in media and communication research. The
customizable on-campus thesis option focuses on research and theory in communication, including courses in the
areas of advertising; journalism; international and intercultural communication; and media production, management
and technology. Students are required to take courses that focus on research, theory, ethics, and writing, leading to a
master’s thesis as the capstone. This option is appropriate for students wishing to pursue careers in research or a
Ph.D. A project in lieu of thesis option is available for some areas.
Public Relations (thesis): The Public Relations track is an on-campus research-based program designed to
prepare students for careers and advancement in the industry or for entering doctoral studies. Students learn the
conceptual foundations of public relations and develop professional and research competency within the duration of
the program. Courses in the public relations specialization focus on conceptual foundations of public relations,
including media and society; professional and managerial skills mastery; and research expertise.
Science and Health Communication (thesis): The Science and Health Communication track is an on-
campus program designed to teach scientists and health specialists to communicate effectively via media, and to
teach mass media specialists the background science to translate the language of science and health into meaningful
and understandable stories for their audiences. These goals are achieved through theoretical writing and applied
courses. At least two aspects of the program make it unique among science communication programs nationwide.
First, other existing science communication programs in the U.S. focus on training journalists. UF’s program is open to
journalists who want to specialize in covering science and health, offers training for people planning to work as public
affairs or public information officers for science and health organizations, for other communication specialists, and for
scientists who need to be able to communicate with the public about their work. Second, the program focuses on
training students to understand and communicate effectively about science and health policy.
More Programs
The college also offers a separate online master’s program and a Ph.D. program.
A joint MA/JD is offered in conjunction with the College of Law. The joint degree plan with the College of Law
provides both a Juris Doctor and MAMC and requires a student to be admitted into the second program no
later than two semesters before graduating from the first program. The student must apply for admission to
both the College of Law and the College of Journalism and Communications.
7
Master’s Program Policies
Forms
Forms required by this college are available online or in the Division of Graduate Studies and Research
office.
Degree Plans
Each student must prepare a degree plan, which includes a list of courses to be completed in partial
fulfillment of degree requirements. Plans must be signed by the student, the academic advisor, and the
Associate Dean for
Graduate Studies and
Research. Degree plan
forms are available online
for Professional Master’s
students and Research
and Theory students.
Each specialty has a
separate form to facilitate
preparation of the plan.
Degree plans should be
completed early in the
student’s program, usually
by the end of the student’s
first semester or as early
as possible in the second
semester. Degree plans
can be changed over the
course of the student’s
program, but any changes must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. A signed degree plan
must be attached to the student’s supervisory committee form at the time of submission to the Division of
Graduate Studies and Research.
Academic Advisors (Research and Theory Students)
The graduate coordinator or director of the track the student initially applied for usually serves as the
initial academic advisor and is the first point of contact for assistance. This initial advisor is named in
each student’s letter of acceptance. Students may select a new advisor once research and specialty
interests have been clarified. The advisor must be a member of the college’s Graduate Faculty.
Graduate School policy requires that a supervisory committee be appointed before the completion of two
terms or 12 credits, whichever comes first. When the supervisory committee is formed, the chair of the
committee becomes the student’s official advisor. From this point on, the committee chairperson, not the
graduate coordinator or director, has primary responsibility for determining which courses the student
should take.
Academic Advisors (Professional Master’s Students)
The graduate coordinator or director of the track the student initially applied for usually serves as the
initial academic advisor and is the first point of contact for assistance. This initial advisor is named in
each student’s letter of acceptance. Professional Master’s students will continue to work with an advisor
in coordination with their selected committee chairperson throughout the program.
8
General Requirements
Although tracks differ in their requirements, all MAMC thesis and project students are required to earn 36
credits including 6 hours of thesis or professional project credits split over a minimum of two terms.
Undergraduate articulation courses do not count toward the 36 credits required.
Students may take additional credits of MMC 6971 (Thesis Research) or 6973 (Project in Lieu of Thesis), but
anything over six credits will not count toward the degree. All courses must be numbered 5000 or above.
Students must take all courses for a letter grade unless the course is listed in the university’s catalog as
carrying a S/U grade. See individual degree plans for total number and distribution of credits required.
Mass Communication Background
Students admitted to the master’s program who are judged by the appropriate graduate specialty
coordinator to be deficient in some mass communication skills or knowledge, typically must master
specific undergraduate articulation course material with a C or better at the same time they study in
graduate courses. Those courses do not count toward the requirements for the master’s degree but do
count toward the student’s GPA. No student may take undergraduate articulation courses under an MMC
6905 or 6936 designation.
Statistics Requirement
Some tracks require that master’s students take a course in statistics if they have not done so in their
undergraduate programs. The course may be taken before graduate study begins at the University of
Florida or while in the program. Please consult with your advisor or check the degree plan for your track
to determine if you must have statistics.
Departmentally Controlled Classes
If you wish to be registered in a departmentally controlled (DEPX) course, please contact the instructor
for permission.
Undergraduate Courses
No undergraduate courses may be taken for credit on the degree plan. However, if students wish to take
a 3000- or 4000-level course for graduate credit, they must secure the approvals of their advisor and the
instructor of the course. Please be advised that faculty members are not obligated to accept the student’s
request to take the class at the graduate level and may refuse the request. If the student’s advisor and
the course instructor agree with the request, a graduate-level version of the course must be arranged
(MMC 6905, or MMC 6936 for Professional Master’s students). The student will not earn credit toward
the MAMC degree for an undergraduate course at the 3000- or 4000-level. Using the MMC 6905
Independent Study Form or the MMC 6936 Undergraduate Class for Grad Credit form in the case of Pro
Master’s students, the student must contract with the course professor for extra work to take the course
to graduate level. Proposals for MMC 6936 or independent study taken as MMC 6905 must show
evidence that the expectations will go beyond that expected for any similar courses at the undergraduate
level. For Research and Theory students, the course instructor MUST be a Graduate Faculty member.
All current Graduate Faculty members can be found online. For students in the Professional Master’s,
you must have instructor and advisor approval prior to registering for these courses. Any exceptions
must be approved by the Associate Dean of Graduate Studies and Research.
9
Course Distribution Requirements
Students can earn the MAMC by completing either a research-and-theory-focused degree plan that culminates in a
thesis or a professionally oriented degree plan that culminates in a professional capstone project.
Pro Master’s – Project Customizable Health & Science – Public Relations –
Research & Thesis Thesis
Theory – Thesis
Research Select at least one (3 MMC 6421 Mass MMC 6421 Mass PUR 6506 PR
credits): Com Research (3) Com Research (3) Research (3)
• MMC 6936 Applied
Com Res
• PUR 6506 PR Res
• MMC 6135 Data Viz
• MMC 6426 Qualitative
Res
Theory MMC 6936 Applied Com MMC 6400 Mass MMC 6487 PUR 6005 PR
Theory (3) Com Theory (3) Interpersonal Health Theories (3)
Com Theory (3) or
MMC 6400 Mass
Com Theory (3)
Ethics/Social MMC 6660 Com, Tech, & MMC 6660 Com, MMC 6409 PUR 6206 PR
Responsibility Society (3) Tech, & Society Science/Health Com Ethics (3)
(3) (3)
Writing MMC 6936 Professional MMC 6XXX MMC 6XXX MMC 6XXX
Writing (1) Academic Writing Academic Writing (3) Academic Writing
(3) (3)
Specialization MMC 6936 Professional At least one MMC 6XXX PUR 6607 PR
Requirements Master’s Seminar (2) methods class (3)* Health/Science Policy Management (3)
(3)
and PUR 6934 (3) OR
At least one methods Internship (2-3)
Select at least one (3 class (3)*
credits):
• MMC 6466 Digital
Persuasive Com (for
PR- or ADV-
interested students)
• MMC 6936 Digital
Storytelling (for JOUR
interested students)
• MMC 6936 Visual
Storytelling Workshop
(for MEDIA PROD
interested students)
Electives 15 credits of electives 15 credits of 12 credits of electives 12-13 credits of
developed in consultation electives developed in electives
with faculty advisor, at least developed in consultation with developed in
3 credits should be consultation with faculty advisor consultation with
internship, immersion, or faculty advisor faculty advisor
experiential
Capstone (6 MMC 6973 “Professional MMC 6971 Research for Master’s Thesis (6)
credits) Project” (6) (6 credits, split over at least two terms, requires chair and two
(6 credits, split over at least additional committee members)
two terms, requires chair
and one additional
committee member)
Total 36 credits
10Independent Study
The master’s program has four courses (other than the thesis research and project courses) that do not
normally involve classroom participation. The four are COM 6940 – Supervised Teaching (S/U grade), MMC
6905 – Individual Work (letter-graded), MMC 6910 – Supervised Research (S/U grade), and MMC 6949 –
Internship (S/U grade). Consult the graduate catalog for details about these courses. Maximum credits students
may take in the courses throughout their graduate careers are listed in the catalog. Requirements for the thesis
and internship courses are discussed in detail later in the handbook.
If a student wants to be registered for a non-classroom course, the form (available in the graduate division
office as well as on the graduate studies webpage) and an attachment describing the proposed work and
method of evaluation must be approved by the supervising professor, advisor, and Associate Dean for
Graduate Studies and Research. After receiving the appropriate approvals, the student will submit the form to
the Division of Graduate Studies and Research in Weimer 2014 or send by email to k.dukes@ufl.edu for
registration prior to the registration deadline.
Proposals for Individual Supervised Research MMC • The instructor should provide
tutoring in grading techniques
Work MMC 6905 6910 with no actual grading
Must include: Max five credits, proposals must responsibilities for the
• the sub-topics to be studied, include: student, as well as discuss
• the resources to be used, • the goal of the activity, the process with the student.
• the requirements for • the specific duties to be • The student is not required to
completion, and fulfilled, spend more than three hours
• the method of evaluation • how often and for how long per credit per week.
(basis on which the work will the student will confer with the • Unlike TAs, this should be
be graded). instructor, and more of a learning experience
• the method of evaluation. to help the student, not to
Typically, students taking Individual
provide assistance to faculty
Work must conduct original
research. Building on an Supervised Teaching COM members.
• The student is allowed to
exhaustive search of the literature, 6940 present up to 10% of lectures.
students must make an original Max five credits, proposals must
contribution to the understanding of include: TAs may not receive credit for the
mass communication. The finished • the goal of the activity, class to which they are assigned.
products ideally would be accepted • specific duties to be fulfilled, The student should discuss the
for publication or presentation at a required information with the
• how often and for how long
conference. Regular meetings with person supervising the course and
the student will confer with the
the course instructor must be present the completed form and
instructor,
scheduled. The course “instructor” accompanying details (typed) for
• the method of evaluation,
MUST be a Graduate Faculty the supervisor’s approval. Forms
• the name/number of the
member. Any exceptions to this are available in the Division of
course.
rule must be approved by the Graduate Studies and Research
Associate Dean for Graduate The student and instructor should office or online. A completed
Studies and Research. Graduate also be aware of the following proposal, including the signed
students cannot be the instructor of expectations for students taking form, must be submitted to the
record for any independent study COM 6940: Division of Graduate Studies
courses. The maximum number of • The student is there for class before the student will be
credits allowed will be six, with an observation and does not registered. Students must have the
additional three by petition if have to attend every lecture. signature of the instructor to be
necessary. registered for the course.
11Internships
The maximum number of internship credits allowed in a graduate academic degree plan is three. The field
supervisor, the chair of the student's supervisory committee, and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and
Research must approve the internship. The field supervisor is the individual to whom the student will report
during the internship. The chair of the student's supervisory committee will act as the academic advisor and
instructor for the internship. The appropriate internship form (available in the graduate division and online)
must be completed and signed by the student, field supervisor, and instructor. Completed and signed forms
should be emailed to k.dukes@ufl.edu before the deadline for registration.
Internship Report General Requirements Internship Criteria
From Student: 100 hours must be worked for An internship provides an
• The student must submit both each one credit hour taken. opportunity to test and apply
a mid-semester and final what the student has learned in
Mid-semester reports are due at
report college courses and to enrich
the end of the eighth week of
• The report must be 1-2 pages that learning with on-the-job
the semester during Fall, Spring
in length and include: training. An internship must fulfill
and Summer C; and at the end
o Location of internship certain criteria:
of the third week of the
o Supervisor • The work must be highly
semester during Summer A or
o Position title relevant to the student’s
B. Final reports
o Job description degree plan.
(employer/supervisor and
o Description of the skills • A person whose
student’s) are due on the last
developed or honed during qualifications have been
day of class in the semester
the internship approved by the student’s
during which internship credit
o Description of tasks supervisory committee
will be given. Copies of mid-
completed and, in the case chair must oversee the
semester and both final reports
of mid-term reports, tasks student’s work on the job.
must be given to the academic
yet to complete The supervision should
supervisor, chair of the student’s
o Description of how these consist of conferences at
committee, and the graduate
skills or experiences will least once a week.
division.
likely apply to the student’s • The supervisor must be
future professional career To be eligible for an internship, willing to arrange for
students must have completed experiences that will be
From Employer:
two semesters of relevant truly educational. It is
At the conclusion of the internship,
coursework and/or have hoped that the student will
the supervisor should write a letter
relevant professional be of practical value to the
of evaluation that details:
experience. All internships must host office, but this is at the
• The student’s job duties
be approved by the graduate option of the student’s
• Quality coordinator or assigned faculty supervisor. Sometimes
• Usefulness and timeliness of member before applying. No well-planned observation
work products retroactive credit will be may benefit the student
• Work ethic awarded for internships. even more than the work.
• Attitude Internships are S/U and will not
• General expectations and the count toward the electives on all
degree to which those degree plans. Please check
expectations were met your specific plan.
Compensation
Most students in the college have been paid at least subsistence wages while serving their internships.
However, payment should be settled between the student and the field supervisor. An internship that consists
mostly of highly beneficial observation may be valuable enough to justify little or no pay.
12Pro Master’s Practicum
Practicums and immersion Several options are listed here but GatorVision
opportunities within the College of others will be considered and are
GatorVision is the video production
Journalism and Communications encouraged, both within and
arm of the University Athletic
Professional Master’s (Pro outside the College of Journalism
Association, providing interested
Master’s) program are hands-on and Communications.
students the opportunity to be a
experiences that allow students to
part of in-house video board
both observe and participate in the Innovation News Center
productions as well as SEC
performance of skills that contribute
The INC is home to the college’s Network productions for many of
to their career preparation. news, weather, and sports the home Gator sporting events.
operations. Students can work as From cameras to graphics, audio,
Students will observe, learn, and reporters, photographers, anchors,
perform tasks under the supervision editors, and producers to create and much more, this experience will
of program professors and on-site prepare students for a career in
content for the college’s many live-event sports production.
staff, often in collaboration with distribution channels, including
advanced-level graduate students. WUFT-TV, WUFT-FM 89.1, ESPN
It is recommended that students
The course number is MMC 6936, 850 WRUF, Country 103.7 the
interested in the ESPN Experience
and your advisor will guide you on Gator, WRUF-TV6, wuft.org and first enroll in the graduate version of
how to register for the appropriate other affiliated websites. RTV 3593 – Multimedia Sports
experience.
Reporting. This can be arranged
ESPN Experience through your graduate advisor and
Students will be allowed to enroll in
an area of specialization based on This option is for students focused the course instructor. It is
career interests, prior experience, on developing or enhancing multi- recommended that students
levels of technical skills, and platform sports reporting skills. interested in GatorVision
practicum availability. Placement ESPN 98.1/850 serves 13 counties opportunities should consider
decisions will be based on student with seven hours of locally hosted enrolling in the graduate level
interest, student discussions with sports talk shows as well as regular version of RTV 4929C – Sports
their academic advisor, and coverage of Gator sports. WUFT- Production. This can be arranged
interviews with the supervisors of TV Sports allows students to through your graduate advisor and
the practicums. produce and anchor sports updates the course instructor.
and/or the sports segment for the
WUFT-TV evening newscast. The Agency
Led by professionals, staffed by
students, and inspired by faculty,
The Agency is a team of seasoned
professionals and hand-selected
students with a passion for ideas
that resonate with emerging
consumers. Built on a foundation of
research, The Agency develops
inspired and informed campaigns
to build brand loyalty among a
segment of the population that will
spend trillions of dollars in their
lifetimes. For more information, visit
the webpage.
13STEM Translational Communication
Center
The mission of the STEM Translational
Communication Center (STCC) is to improve
human health and well-being by making
scientific research more accessible,
understandable, and usable. Properly
translated and communicated to various
audiences, basic research in science,
technology, engineering, and medicine (STEM)
can lead to enhanced individual, family, group,
and policy-level decision-making. The STCC
fosters partnerships among university
researchers, community members, and
industry. The messages, techniques, and
strategies resulting from these collaborations
can foster improved science and health
literacy. The STCC offers multiple opportunities
for portfolio development professional
students, such as visual design, social media,
videography, and event planning that advance
and enhance the STCC mission.
Public Interest Media Properties METL
Communications Revenue Division The Media Effects & Technology
Lab is an interdisciplinary
Public Interest Communications The college’s Division of Media
laboratory where faculty and
(PIC) is an emerging field, and Properties includes a Revenue
students design, develop, and
those who practice or study it Division responsible for sales
disseminate the effects of media
are continuously applying new and underwriting for several
content and technologies to
insights and techniques to make broadcast properties. It takes
improve the human spirit and
their work more effective. The teamwork, effective outreach,
condition. From 360-degree
field borrows elements from its and excellent communication
video to virtual reality, the team
sister fields of public relations, skills to engage these diverse
explores the possibilities for new
advertising, journalism, and audiences. Students can assist
technologies and information
marketing, but is informed by with social media communication
processing.
sociology, psychology, political and other strategic
science, and neuroscience. communication strategies to
More Options
Public Interest Communications advance the work of this team.
is using communications to drive Other options inside or outside
social change. Students Media Services of the College of Journalism and
interested in Public Interest Communications are
The college’s Division of Media
Communications can take encouraged, based on the
Properties also includes a Media
courses to enhance their student’s area of academic
Services Division that works with
knowledge and skills and/or focus or career goals. Placement
clients on video and studio
work with the PIC team to approval will be based on
projects, storytelling, and live
advance its mission. student interest, discussions with
events. Students can assist with
the academic advisor, and
various phases of the planning
interviews with the supervisors
and production process.
of the practicums.
14Registration
Registration Preparation
To enable registration, students must go to https://one.ufl.edu to complete the Registration Preparation
requirement and update emergency contact information every term prior to registration start time. Students will
have a “registration preparation hold” until this is completed. For instructions or assistance with the registration
preparation process, please utilize the instruction guide.
Registration Process
Students are responsible for their own registration except for some departmentally controlled courses and
independent studies. For instructions or assistance with the registration process, please utilize the instruction
guide.
Summer Registration in MMC
6971/6973
All students planning to defend their
thesis/project during the summer
semester must meet certain criteria:
• Have an agreement signed by every
committee member that stipulates if
and when he/she will be available
during the summer for committee
meetings, defense, reading, etc.
• Submit a reasonable timeline as part
of this agreement for all steps of the
approval process (i.e., submissions to chair and/or committee, revisions, submissions to Graduate School,
etc.) when you register for thesis/project hours. Students will not be allowed to register for thesis/project
hours without the signed agreement and timeline.
15Minors and Supporting Fields
Elective credits may be applied toward either a minor or supporting field. Elective
courses also may stand alone, without being placed into one of the groupings.
Minor
A student may choose a minor
as part of approved electives. A
minor is defined by the university
as a discipline offered by a
department outside the college.
For most subjects, the student
may secure an official minor by
taking six to nine semester hours
in the minor department at the
graduate level. Some
departments require a greater
number of credits or specific
courses; check with the
department in which you seek to
complete the minor. A faculty
Supporting Fields Graduate Certificates
member from the minor
department must serve on the The student may concentrate A certificate may be used to
supervisory committee for the electives in a supporting field. A recognize that a student has
final examination. The thesis supporting field requires six to completed a defined program of
research or project must bear nine credits outside the college. specialized cohesive study
relevance to the minor as well as Unlike the minor, a supporting consisting of for-credit UF
the major field of study. field does not require that a courses. Students may earn a
representative of the field serve certificate in a particular field of
on the student's supervisory study in the discipline of their
Minor for Students academic major or enhance their
committee or that the student's
Outside the College thesis or project pertain to the major by pursuing a program
field of study. Course outside of a discipline of their
Students from outside this
combinations from more than academic major but
college who are pursuing a
one discipline, if approved by complementary to their major or
minor in Mass Communication
the student's academic advisor career interests. Students who
must have a professor from CJC
and the Associate Dean for earn a graduate certificate in the
as a member of their supervisory
Graduate Studies and College of Journalism and
committee. The student must
Research, may make up the Communications complete four
take four Mass Communication
supporting field. One type of courses or 12 to 14 credit hours in
courses. The minor professor
supporting field is the traditional a communication specialization of
can determine the four courses
area study. The student their choice. Visit the webpage for
but a minimum of six credits
completes courses offered by more information on on-campus
must be non-methodological and
different departments that all certificates in Health
should be theoretical or
focus on one geographical area. Communication and Science
substantive in Mass
The university has strengths in Communication, and online
Communication.
Latin America, Africa, and certificates in Global Strategic
Europe. Communication, Social Media,
Web Design, and Audience
Analytics.
16Timing Policies
Time Limit seeking students at UF provided they maintain
continuous enrollment. Students who do not
All work to be counted toward the master’s degree
maintain continuous enrollment will use the catalog
must be completed within seven years immediately
in effect at the time enrollment is resumed.
preceding the date on which the degree is to be
awarded. Any transfer work must fall within the
seven years.
Transfer of Courses
Master’s students, with approval of the student’s
Readmission supervisor and the Associate Dean, may petition
Graduate students who do not enroll at UF for the Graduate School for permission to transfer up
to nine semester hours into the master’s program
three consecutive terms, including any summer
from an institution approved by the Graduate
term, must apply for readmission. Readmission is
School, or 15 semester hours from graduate work
not guaranteed and is subject to the availability of
space in the program. If applying to a different at UF. All transferred work must have been taken
at a U.S. institution or an international institution in
program, a new application will be required. It is
which English is the first language, be at the
strongly advised that students who wish to take a
graduate (5000 or 6000) level, and carry grades of
leave of absence for two or more consecutive
terms obtain prior written approval from their A or B. The petition form must be submitted during
the first term as a graduate student. Obtain the
department. Readmission applications are
required form in the Division of Graduate Studies
available online. There is a readmission fee. The
and Research or online.
student will be required to prepare a new degree
plan, valid for the program in effect at time of The Graduate School computes courses
resumption of studies and any prior degree plans transferred in from UF graduate work in the GPA.
will be considered invalid. Courses transferred into the program from another
Students graduate under the catalog in effect at institution are credited to total hours but are
excluded from GPA computation
the time of their initial enrollment as degree-
17Grading Policies
Computing the GPA as are courses at the freshman and sophomore (1000/2000) level
and sophomore (1000/2000) courses or undergraduate courses
The Graduate School computes
levels. The Graduate School also within the college.
two GPAs for all students: overall
excludes any courses at the junior
and major. For students with a
minor, the Graduate School also
and senior (3000/4000) levels if in Grades of Incomplete,
a student's major. Hours at the
computes a minor GPA. The major
1000/2000 level may not count Unsatisfactory, or NG
GPA includes only graduate Grades of I (incomplete) must be
toward residency or toward the
courses in the college. In removed by the date stated on the
total credits required for a degree.
computing the overall GPA, the Incomplete Grade Contract or the
Courses designated with a grade
Graduate School counts all deadline stated in The University
of H (used only in special
courses at the 5000 level or above Calendar– whichever comes first.
situations when the work is
and 3000/4000 level outside the If grades of I or NG have not been
expected to be developed over a
major taken while the student has changed within 150 days, the
period of time greater than a single
been classified as a 7, 8, or 9. grade will be treated as an E in
term) are excluded until such time
Students may repeat courses in calculating the GPA and for
as grade changes are processed.
which they earn failing grades. suspension purposes. If the
All H grades must be cleared prior
The grade points from both the student receives a grade of I, U, or
to graduation. The grade of H is
first and second attempts will be NG while on probation, it
not a substitute for a grade of S,
included in the computation of the constitutes a violation of
U, or I. Courses for which H
GPA, but the student will receive probationary or conditional status.
grades are appropriate are noted
credits only for the second
in their catalog descriptions and
attempt. When computing the Grades of I cannot be given for a
must be approved by the UF
GPA, the Graduate School does graduate level S/U course.
Graduate Curriculum Committee
not round up fractions. Thus, a
and the Graduate School. Please
2.99 GPA fails to meet the 3.0 Courses in which students receive
note that the GPA listed on
requirement. grades of U or NG do not meet the
ONE.UF may not be the same as
the GPA calculated by the above Graduate Council’s standard of
Courses receiving grades of Graduate School definitions, if the satisfactory performance.
satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) student has digressed from their Accordingly, such grades either
are excluded in GPA computation, degree plan by taking freshman must be changed or the Graduate
School must approve a petition
setting forth the reasons why the
student should be allowed to
graduate with the U grade on the
record.
Master’s students may have a
maximum of two incompletes
(including “no grades”) and two
unsatisfactory grades for their
entire academic program.
18Incomplete Grade
Contract
The Incomplete Grade
Contract should be used in
Probation and
every instance of assigning
an incomplete grade. The
procedure is described in
Suspension
detail on the form which is
available on the graduate Unsatisfactory Progress
studies webpage. The form
Any student may be denied further registration in the university or in a
should be completed and
graduate major if progress toward the completion of the planned program
filed with the graduate
becomes unsatisfactory to the college or the dean of the Graduate School.
division before the end of the
The Graduate School defines unsatisfactory progress as failure to maintain
semester in which the
a cumulative overall GPA of 3.0 (B) or a cumulative major GPA of 3.0 (B).
incomplete grade is given.
Students who declare a minor must maintain a 3.0 GPA in the minor.
Please be aware that I
grades are reserved for
The college has defined unsatisfactory progress more severely than the
extraordinary circumstances
Graduate School. Beyond considering a GPA of less than 3.0 as
and a majority of the course
unsatisfactory, the college also considers as unsatisfactory progress
work must be completed. If
receipt of grades below C+. See probation, suspension, and grades of
the student has not
incomplete or unsatisfactory below.
completed the majority of
course requirements, it is
advisable that they officially Probation
drop the course. Students may be placed on probation if their progress becomes
Unfortunately, this action will unsatisfactory. The Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research
result in the loss of tuition will attempt to contact any student whose GPA has fallen below 3.0.
dollars paid if the drop However, the student bears the responsibility of determining whether the
occurs after the drop/add grade point average is sufficient to remain on regular status. If it is not, the
period established in UF student must confer with the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and
registration policy. If the Research at the start of the first term during which the GPA falls below 3.0.
student is on a graduate
assistantship, dropping Any master’s student who earns a GPA less than 3.0 and/or receives one
credits during the semester grade below C+ will be placed on probation, except for courses taken from
may result in the termination the Levin College of Law, undergraduate statistics course, or articulation
of the assistantship. classes. For these courses, any student receiving one grade below C will
be placed on probation. Students on probation are not eligible to hold a
Penalty for I/U grades over graduate assistantship.
the limit: master’s students
are allowed a maximum of If students are placed on probation, they will need to work with their chair to
two incompletes (including devise a plan to improve their grades. They will need to submit the plan to
“no grades”) and two U the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies and Research for approval, and
grades. Per the vote of the that plan must be approved in order for the student to re-start or maintain
CJC Graduate Faculty, a an assistantship. If students satisfy the approved plan in the term of
student who receives more probation and their cumulative GPA is at or above a 3.0, the probation flag
than the allowed number of will be lifted.
I/U grades will be forbidden
from registering for two
If the plan or GPA requirement is not satisfied, the student will be
semesters and will be
suspended. If a student satisfies the probation plan but the situation arises
required to reapply to the
in future terms, the student will not be granted another probation term, they
program by submitting the
will be suspended.
application for readmission
to the Graduate Committee
for approval.
19Suspension Per the official University definition of suspension: “The student is required to leave the University for a given or indefinite period of time, the termination of which shall depend upon specified acts of the student's own volition related to mitigation of the offense committed. The student must comply with all sanctions prior to readmission.” The college does not guarantee readmission; it is subject to review by the Graduate Committee. Students on suspension are not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship. Any master’s student who accumulates two grades below C+ (with the exclusion of courses taken from the Levin College of Law, undergraduate background statistics class, or articulation classes) during graduate studies will be suspended, as will any master’s student who receives one grade of D+ or lower at any time during graduate studies. When a student is suspended, the student's records will be flagged and future registration will be forbidden until the Graduate Committee approves lifting the flag. To have the suspension flag lifted, the student will need to devise a plan, in conjunction with their chair, for review and approval by the Graduate Committee. Students who remain on suspension are not eligible to hold a graduate assistantship. Students will be allowed only one suspension. If another suspension is necessary, the student will be removed from the program. If the suspension is due to a GPA
Course and Degree Policies
Dropping or Adding Courses policy governing the master’s program, signed and
dated written confirmation of the action is advised. A
At the beginning of a semester, during the drop/add
copy of the confirmation should be placed in the
period, students may drop or add courses to their
student's academic file. Failure to place
pre-registered courses with no fee penalty. After the
documentation of deviation from the usual policy into
drop/add period, however, students are expected to
the file may delay graduation.
complete all courses for which they are enrolled.
Students may be administratively dropped from a Students who wish to petition for changes in grades
class if they miss the first week's meetings unless they have received may do so through the College
they notify the instructor before the first week and Grade Appeals Committee. The chair of the
have an acceptable excuse such as a medical or committee should be contacted regarding procedure.
family emergency. Students may obtain the chair's name through the
Office of the Dean.
Students who find it necessary to drop a course after
drop/add should visit the graduate division office or Minimum Registration
webpage to obtain a Course Schedule Change
Students who will graduate in a fall or spring
Request form. The form requires signatures of the
semester must register for at least three credits in
student, academic advisor, and Associate Dean. To
their final term of study. August graduates need to
add a class, the student must have the signature of
sign up for only two credits during a summer term.
the instructor of the course, in addition to those
Thesis master's students must take the final term's
mentioned above. After completion of the form, the
minimum credits in MMC 6971—Thesis Research.
student should return it to the graduate division.
Project students must take the final term’s minimum
International students must receive approval from the
credits in 6973— Project in Lieu of Thesis.
UF International Center to drop a course following
the drop/add deadline.
If registering in a term, in no case may a student
register for fewer than three credits in either the
If the student is on a graduate assistantship,
spring or fall semesters or two credits in the summer
dropping credits during the semester may result in
semester.
the termination of the assistantship.
The minimum registration requirements will differ for
Excessive drops are not allowed. Ordinarily, more
students who are utilizing financial aid (i.e., student
than two drops are considered excessive.
loans). To be eligible for financial aid funding,
Remember: students are TUITION and FEE LIABLE
students must be enrolled at least half-time by the
for all courses on their schedule at the end of the
end of the drop/add period each term. For Summer B
drop/add period. Fees will not be refunded for
courses to be considered in financial aid eligibility
courses dropped after the drop/add deadline. You
determinations, students must be enrolled in those
cannot switch out one class for another. You would
courses by the end of the Summer A/C drop/add
be financially responsible for both classes.
period. To verify eligibility for financial aid, students
should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid
Miscellaneous Petitions and Scholarships.
Students may petition to receive exemption from a
core course, to continue in attendance after failing to Degree Requirements
meet criteria spelled out in a conditional admission or
Thesis and project specializations share some
probation status, or to deviate from any other rules or
requirements and differ on others. All master's
regulations regarding graduate study. The petition
students must have a supervisory committee and
form (available in the graduate division) will be
prepare a degree plan, obtain the required approvals,
placed in the student's academic file as a written
and follow the plan or modify it as changes arise.
record of action. The chair of the supervisory
Thesis students must, in the final oral examination,
committee or, if the committee has not yet been
successfully defend the thesis. Project students
named, the academic advisor, typically must act on
must, in the final oral examination, successfully
the petition before it is reviewed. Any time the
defend the project.
student receives permission to deviate from usual
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