What We Offer

The Master of Arts degree is awarded in two areas of emphasis: Critical-Cultural Studies and Industry Studies. Each of these programs is comprised of two years of course work and culminates in either a written thesis, comprehensive exams, or a capstone course.

        • 2-year degree plans with specialized tracks
        • Graduate Assistantships (RA or TA)
        • Solid foundation for Ph.D. programs or a career in a variety of media industries
        • Thesis or Exam option
        • Experiential learning opportunities with the Youth Media Lab or campus radio (KNTU) and TV (ntTV) stations
        • Internship, research, & career opportunities in the 5th largest media market in the U.S.

Media Studies Tracks

The Critical-Cultural Studies area of the department employs working methods drawn from the humanities focusing on the study of cinema, television, and new media. This program encourages students to critically engage with current debates in historical, ideological, and cultural discourses and produce high quality academic writing on chosen topics. Students in this area examine media culture in relation to topics such as race, class, gender, sexuality, audiences/fandom, technocultures, social media, cultural history, globalization, convergence, and production cultures. The Critical-Cultural studies area is designed for students who wish to develop their critical thinking and writing skills with a view to either proceeding to a PhD, or increasing their professional skills.

The Industry Studies area of the department encompasses managerial, technological, economic, political, and social dynamics of various media. The goal of the industry studies emphasis at the graduate level is to prepare students for professional and academic careers in management and media research. It is designed for students with interests in production cultures, media economics, franchise/remakes, entrepreneurship, law and regulation, transmedia storytelling, programming, as well as new media and audience research. This program prepares students for a PhD program or advanced media industry positions.

Program Breakdown

Critical/Cultural Studies Pathway
    • MRTS 5100 – Intro to Graduate Studies in Media Arts
    • MRTS 5120 – Critical-Cultural Media Theory
    • MRTS 5121 – Digital Media Studies
    • At least 9 additional credit hours of Critical/Cultural Studies courses
    • An additional 12 credit hours of elective courses that can include up to:
      • 6 credit hours from graduate courses in other departments at UNT as approved by the graduate advisor
      •  3 credit hours practicum OR 3 hours internship (must enroll pass/fail)
      • 3 credit hours special problems
    • Capstone: completion of a thesis (6 credit hours) or exam (3 credit hours)
Media Industry Studies Pathway
    • MRTS 5100 – Intro to Graduate Studies in Media Arts
    • MRTS 5125 – Media Industry Studies
    • MRTS 5121 – Digital Media Studies OR MRTS 5120 – Critical-Cultural Media Theory (both is allowed, one will be an elective)
    • At least 9 additional credit hours of Industry Studies courses
    • An additional 12 hours of elective courses that can include up to:
      • 6 credit hours from graduate courses in other departments at UNT as approved by the graduate advisor
      •  3 credit hours practicum OR 3 hours internship (must enroll pass/fail)
      • 3 credit hours special problems
    • Capstone: completion of a thesis (6 credit hours) or exam (3 credit hours)

Sample Electives

Critical-Cultural Studies
    • Teen Media
    • Women in FIlm
    • Gender, Race, and Digital Media
    • Cinema Beyond the West
    • Teaching Media Arts Practicum
    • Hitchcock Films
    • Fans & Transformative Works
    • Gender & Sexuality in Horror Film
    • Lesbian, Gay, and Queer Film & Video
    • Documentary Film History
    • Cinema/Video Verité
Industry Studies
    • History and Theory of Film Remakes
    • Media Law & Regulation
    • Audience Research
    • Mobile Media
    • Global Media 
    • Media Economics
    • Broadcast Programming
    • Media Entrepreneurship
    • Teen Media
    • Gender, Race, and Digital Media
    • Teaching Media Arts Practicum