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MA

The objectives of the MA program include:

1.

Designing and conducting research that sheds new light on issues and problems in theory, empirical studies, and professional practices.

2.

Reporting research in variety of conventional and non-traditional research and creative methods.

3.

Participating in course-based seminar discussions with faculty, to delve into the implications of current and emerging themes of interest.

4.

An option of undertaking field placements (with public, private or community organizations) that provide the experiential-learning opportunities commensurate with the standards of a graduate course.

FAQ

Students have full access to academic facilities and services at both universities. The required MA and PhD core courses are normally offered both at York and Toronto Metropolitan University. All other courses are offered usually at the campus where the instructor has her or his primary appointment. There are two Graduate Program Directors, one at each university. For administrative reasons, students must directly apply to either York or Toronto Metropolitan University. There are minor differences in ancillary fees, student support and regulations between the two universities. Only York has graduate residences. 

The commute between the two campuses takes about one hour by TTC and 40 minutes to one hour by car.  

There are academic and applied courses offered at both universities. Please see the Course Listings section for more details.

Since moving to the Technology Enhanced Learning building, ComCult at York has access to more technical equipment than ever before. However, access is not always available because of budgetary constraints and competition with undergraduate requirements. The program's mandate is academic and critical, and the applied aspect of the program is meant to supplement the theoretical aspect. In particular, we have limited capacity to train students in media making.  

The Project option permits students who have the necessary technical skills or are able to acquire them outside of the program to conduct and report their research in formats other than the traditional manuscript-based thesis or MRP. For example, a student could make a short video or create a CD. The project must be accompanied by an explanatory paper. 

Field Placements are an option to satisfy an elective course requirement (3.0 or 6.0 credits) for relevant work experience (paid or unpaid), normally outside the university. Field placements must be related to communication and culture and to the student's learning objectives in the program. Students generally find their own placements that have to be approved by the Program Director.

At York, the program is most closely associated with Communication Studies in the Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. Faculty are drawn from Environmental Studies, Humanities, Political Science, Cinema & Media Studies, Visual Arts & Art History, Design, Osgoode Hall Law School, the Schulich School of Business, among others. At Toronto Metropolitan University, faculty are drawn from Image Arts, Radio and Television Arts, Journalism, Information Technology Management, English, Political Science, Sociology, among others.

Full-time MA students, who received funding for their first year are guaranteed funding in terms four and five of their second year.

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The York & Toronto Metropolitan University Joint Graduate Program in Communication & Culture at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education.