Master of Arts in Radio and Television

Admission to Program

Graduate students are accepted twice a year for fall and spring semesters. Students wishing to enter the master's program must apply to the University and, separately, to the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department. Applications must be received between November 1 and March 1 for fall, and between September 1 and October 15 for spring. Both University and departmental files must be complete by the last day of the application period (March 1 or October 15). Student applications to the BECA Department are evaluated during the month immediately following the due date. Applicants are notified of departmental recommendation regarding admissions approximately six weeks after the respective due date. The office notice of admission status is forwarded to the applicant by the university's Division of Graduate Studies.

Applicants must meet all University requirements for admission, and must also submit to the BECA Graduate Coordinator:

• BECA department Graduate Application (Apply to Graduate Program)
• Applicant's statement of purpose in pursuing the M.A. degree
• Three letters of recommendation, preferably from former teachers
• Transcripts of all previous college work
• Current Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores

Students who speak English as a second language and whose formal education was in a language other than English must supply the department and the University with the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) in lieu of GRE scores. Students for whom English is a second language must also provide the department with their score from the Test of Written English (TWE), which is administered with the TOEFL.

Before applying to either the university or the department, send for descriptive materials about the program and details on how to apply. Write to:

You can also request program information and details from becagrad@sfsu.edu

Although undergraduate preparation in Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts is desirable, students from other academic disciplines who have demonstrated interest in the electronic media are encouraged to apply. Students may be required to take up to fourteen (14) units of undergraduate courses as prerequisites. All students must take BECA 200, 340 and one production sequence (either 230 and 231 or 240 and 241). Students who choose a creative project involving production as their culminating experience may be required to take both audio and video production (230 and 231 plus 240 and 241). These prerequisites may not be used as part of the Graduate Approved Program. Students admitted to the program are admitted in conditionally classified status. Students must advance to classified status by completing or demonstrating knowledge of the content of the prerequisite courses; completing BECA 700 with a grade of C or better; and passing the Graduate Essay Test (GET), thus completing the first level written English proficiency requirement; and submitting the Graduate Approved Program (GAP) form.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Each graduate student must demonstrate the ability to write standard American English correctly and effectively. To assure that each graduate student has the desired proficiency in written English, two distinct assessments are made by the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department during each student's program of study. Level One: Newly admitted students are required to take the Graduate Essay Test (GET) administered by the Testing Center, before enrolling in their first semester in the M.A. program. If the student does not pass the GET, remedial work in appropriate writing classes will be required. Students must pass the GET or complete the required remedial work before enrolling in 700- or 800-level courses other than BECA 700. Level Two: In the process of completing the master's degree, the student will demonstrate an advanced level of writing proficiency by successfully completing the master's written comprehensive examination, the master's thesis, or the creative project.

International Students

The BECA Department welcomes applications from international students. Many distinguished alumni of the program are working in media industries around the world. The department has an active international student association. Approximately one-third of the current graduate students are from abroad. International students should note the special requirements that pertain to them presented on these pages. If they have questions or concerns, they should contact the BECA graduate coordinator or the university Office of International Programs.

Advancement to Candidacy

In order to be advanced to candidacy, applicants must (1) meet all University requirements for advancement to candidacy; (2) have advanced to classified graduate student status; (3) submit an approved Graduate Approved Program to the Graduate Coordinator, who then forwards it to the associate dean of the College of Creative Arts and to the university's Division of Graduate Studies.

Thirty credits are a minimum for graduation. Because of individual student background, needs, interests, and adviser recommendations, the graduate student may be required to complete more than 30 credit units.

The Culminating Experience Requirement may be completed through one of three options, described below. Students must consult with an adviser before determining which of the three options they will pursue.

Master's Thesis

Students who pursue the master's thesis option must complete a written master's thesis, a scholarly document that reports on some kind of research. The research builds upon theory, and addresses one or more research questions or tests one or more hypotheses. Research questions or hypotheses reflect a scope appropriate for M.A.-level work. Research methods are selected for their appropriateness to the question or problem at hand.

Master's Written Comprehensive Examination

Students who pursue the examination option must complete a written comprehensive examination. The examination consists of two questions. The first is a general question, drawn from these categories: aesthetics and production; criticism and analysis; history and structures; models and processes; and ethical issues. The second is a question tailored to the student's individual interests and expertise by the student's three-member faculty committee. A candidate who fails the written comprehensive examination may re-take it once.

Master's Creative Project

Students who pursue the creative project option must execute a project, the scope of which is defined by the student in collaboration with a committee of three faculty members, and prepare a written document to accompany the project.

The project may take the form of a production created for the broadcast or electronic media, a script for such a production, or another type of product that employs the broadcast or electronic media. The accompanying document provides an introduction; a statement of the project's significance, value, and objectives; a literature review; a description of the creative methodology employed; a discussion of the completed project; a conclusion; and a production appendix.