Master of Arts in Media Studies and Practice (MAMSP)
The Master of Arts in Media Studies and Practice (MAMSP) program is your gateway to a global career in media. Offered by the Department of Media Communication, this program is dedicated to shaping the next generation of media academics and professionals by equipping students with the knowledge, skills, expertise and digital tools needed to drive innovation, influence change and shape the future of media studies and practice.
By blending media studies, journalism, integrated marketing communication and digital media, the program provides students with critical knowledge and practical skills to navigate the evolving media landscape and excel in their chosen media career. It emphasizes media research, storytelling, creativity and strategic communication, offering specialized knowledge and training in content creation, documentaries, media campaigns and strategic communications.
MAMSP trains future media leaders and researchers by fostering innovation, ethical media practices and adaptability in addressing emerging communication challenges. Graduates are well-positioned for careers in government, corporate communication, academia, film and journalism, making them influential contributors to the media industry on a global scale.
Curriculum
Led by world-class faculty, the MAMSP program is designed to cater to the increasing demand for an interdisciplinary education that blends media theory with practical application. Students can tailor their academic journey to align with their career goals by choosing from three education tracks: the course option, the thesis option or the professional project option. It also takes a multidisciplinary approach, providing students with a deep understanding of historical, emerging and contemporary global and regional media environments.
Mission
Our mission is to prepare media researchers and professionals who are globally conscious, adaptable and equipped to navigate the rapidly evolving media landscape. The Master of Arts in Media Studies and Practice is designed for individuals seeking to make an impact in media industries and digital communications. Our curriculum integrates essential media foundations with hands-on practice, benchmarking against top programs in the region. The two tracks of theory and practice offer a strong emphasis on media production, media research, media ethics and advanced media skills, the MAMSP prepares graduates to lead and shape the future of media.
Degree Requirements
Students in the MAMSP degree program must choose from three options: the thesis option, the professional project option, or the course option.
To qualify for graduation with a MAMSP degree, students must successfully complete all the requirements of the program, which consist of a minimum of 30 credit hours in required and elective courses, inclusive of a research thesis or professional project (for students in the thesis and professional project options only), with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.
Students must successfully complete the degree requirements within five years from the time of initial enrollment in the program.
Graduation residence requirements must be met. For details, please refer to the Graduation Requirements in the Academic Policies and Regulations section of the AUS Graduate Catalog.
Thesis/ Professional Project Option
Students in the thesis option or professional project option must successfully complete the following requirements:
- Six credit hours of required coursework
- a minimum of 18 credit hours of elective courses
- six credit hours of Master’s Thesis or professional project
Course Option
Students in the course option must successfully complete the following requirements:
- Six credit hours of required coursework
- a minimum of 24 credit hours of elective courses
Required Courses (12/ 6 credit hours)
Students in the thesis option or professional project option must successfully complete all the required courses for a total of 12 credit hours. Students in the course option must successfully complete 6 credit hours in required courses.
- MSP 501 Media Studies (3 credits)
- MSP 510 Media Research Methods (3 credits)
- MSP 599 Master’s Thesis (6 credits) (for students in the thesis option)
- MSP 598 Professional Project (6 credits) (for students in the professional project option)
Elective Courses (minimum of 18/24 credit hours)
Students in the thesis option or professional project option must successfully complete a minimum of six elective courses (for a minimum of 18 credit hours). Students in the course option must successfully complete a minimum of eight elective courses (for a minimum of 24 credit hours).
Students select their elective courses from the following list of courses, in consultation with their advisor:
- MSP 505 Advanced Media Production
- MSP 511 Media Management
- MSP 516 Strategic Communication
- MSP 517 Media Law and Ethics
- MSP 523 Advanced Digital and Social Media Skills
- MSP 525 Advanced Documentary Filmmaking
- MSP 527 Advanced Multimedia Journalism
- MSP 528 Government Communication
- MSP 594 Special Topics in Media Studies
With the approval of the student’s advisor and the student’s head of department, students may choose to take up to two elective courses outside of the list of elective courses. The course must provide knowledge and skills that contribute to the program’s learning outcomes. The request must be approved by the student’s associate dean for graduate affairs, who will inform the Office of the Registrar before course registration.
Students may elect to complete courses outside of the list of elective courses that do not meet the above conditions; such courses will not meet any of the degree program graduation requirements. Approvals of the student’s advisor and the student’s head of department are required.
Admission Requirements
Applicants are required to fulfill the general university requirements for graduate admission. Those who meet these requirements but have not completed undergraduate-level courses in media theory and practice may be required to complete remedial courses offered through the Department of Media Communication or at an accredited institution recognized by the UAE Ministry of Education’s Higher Education Affairs Division.
For further details, refer to Bridging Courses in Registration and Course Information within the Academic Policies and Regulations section in the graduate catalog.
Graduate Assistantships and Support
AUS offers competitive graduate assistantships and work-study opportunities to qualified students for up to four semesters. This offers not only financial assistance but also hands-on experience in teaching and research helpful to students interested in pursuing a career in academia.
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Contact
For more detailed information on the program curriculum, course offerings and class timings, please email [email protected].
