Understanding Communication, Mass Media and related majors

iamzhangjunUID：197472

I saw a lot of people here talking about applying communication school, mass media program, or J school and other major like advertising or PR.

For those who want to end up with MA and come back to China, I think it waste time to read my point here.

While for those who intend to go further either in PHD program or getting job in U.S., I would have a few words for your consideration.

Communication is pure theory field and you will see many courses like theory building or philosophy is the program like communication. communication mainly study individual behavior in most school here, (correct me if I am wrong). while Mass media is mostly a inter-dicipline program that cover advertisment, Jurl, PR, television, broadcast, and telecommunication. again it is also a pure theory subject. people might  do contect analysis on newspaper or television, might do survey or other theory work.

It is hard to get job when you finish you PHD degree in communication and mass media or related. the only way you have to go is to take a teaching position in some small school even you are from top communication or mass media school. this is ture for international student.

I dont want to scare those who want to apply for PHD program in these related areas, but you should think about if I am really interested in doing theory research work in this area. if so, you can come, i think you would enjoy the research enviroment here.

About communication schools.  there are some most famous communication and mass media program in U.S., columbia, NYU,USC is top ones for practical training. In pure academia, Michigan state, northwest, is among the top of my mind, because there are so many theories and theories leaders coming from these two schools. there are also some excellent PHD programs like in Indiana, penn state, U of missouri. because each school has their strengths and focus, so you need to make sure which area you are interested in and find the program that fits you well.


hope this information helpful..

iamzhangjunUID：197472

one more thing is that the funding in communication or mass media is decreasing in recent years. so people usually do TA or RA for more than one faculty in most of com school or mass media programs, as far as I know.

加菲熊UID：103463

Good article !

蜗牛爬爬爬UID：2138258

楼主讲的挺好的，只是可能我不是太赞同你说的:For those who want to end up with MA and come back to China, I think it waste time to read my point here.
呵呵，不过你这么一说，倒是对我很有启发
只是这些可能因为每个人将来的个人规划差异有不用的结果吧！

无畏的天使UID：156656

说的挺好的,谢谢楼主的分享！
我想那些一部分要申请media or comm的同学或许都是因为认为us很难申请到JURL，所以出此下策吧。楼主有没有好的建议给他们？比如在专业的选择上。
THAX!

iamzhangjunUID：197472

Well, Two issues here I would like to clarify.
I am making a point for those who plan to apply PHD program. For MA, it is different point of view, it is hard for Chinese students to get job with MA degree in U.S. I mean MA in pure social science. So most of MA Chinese students here apply PHD when finishing MA program. While the reality might be a little easier than what I say, I might be wrong to some extend. I know some MA students getting job in U.S.. but i believe it is rare phenomenon.

Applying J school, comm, telecom, advertising, PR, or related major faces the same difficuties for Chinese students to apply. the difference is that J school, or advertising, has limited class scale and it is more professional training. Comm is aiming to provide basic knowledge and method for students to pursue high level of degree, PHD.

I know many Chinese students in comm, telecom, mass media program in U.S.. so take it easy, you will  get in. But there is nothing to loose or nothing to win for getting in U.S. school or not getting in.  there is also no success or failure with respect to applying U.S. school. Many years later, you might find your choice to come to U.S. is totally wrong.  you might be better off. But just you best, whereever you are, which I say you will be sucessful.

Hope this help

蜗牛爬爬爬UID：2138258

楼主说的挺客观的
你讲的这些也是我的一些困惑
所以我觉得申请美国传播的,应该参考一下香港的申请程序,在自己决定往这个方向去深入研究的时候，自己将来的职业规划,人生规划是怎样的?那么在美国那边整个行业的发展趋势就业情况以及自己的研究方向究竟又是如何?如何将自己将来在学习期间的东西真正转化成为对自己有用的?
一定要清楚自己的定位,有了正确的规划之后，再去做一个决定,虽然会有不经意间的惊喜或者无法预计的坎坷,但这一路，明白自己的方向，最重要

DendisUID：158017

i think we are on the same page~~~

samluxingUID：209212

Is it a viable option to study for MA and have good job market waiting for you in China? (Is any data on that?) thanks

iamzhangjunUID：197472

I have no idea of what exactly the number of what percentage of MA in mass communication, mass media, or related field get jobs in China. But from my personal working experience in China, I would say if you get MA from U.S. top school, I think you can get in some top international companies. As media market is opening up, there are great needs for the students with multiculture educated background. But in that sense, getting degree in U.S. , Hong Kong, or other places' top mass media program are the same. Just to notice great deal of excent J-school and mass media program are out of U.S., expecially many research in terms of my area, telecommunication in Europe are cutting-edge research and better than some traditional research in U.S.

fatluoUID：191214

去美国读实务方向的ma的话是不是基本上没有奖学金？
另外，很多人建议第一年自己出钱去读，因为到了那边再申请奖学金什么的就会容易很多，是吗？

coco3263UID：16360

thanks for the information !

iamzhangjunUID：197472

As far as I know,  graduate school seriously lacks fuding recently years, which decreases the room for assistantships.  It is also hard to get assistantship even you are here, as most assistantships has already been secured for those students who have already gotten it in the first year. so to make sure you have assistanship when you come here.

for those who dont want to have a assiantship, but still have a little concerns about money, my suggestion is to apply public school, because public shool's tuition will be much lower than private school with still very good education quality.

wellington2010UID：174197

谢，感谢，非常感谢。

samluxingUID：209212

谢谢楼主的建议。两个问题？
第一个问题：在申请Communication学位时，有些学校要求提供writing example，一定是书面发表的文章吗？？？
第二个问题：叁份推荐信中一定要有学校的教授吗？
谢谢