Digital Media and Communications

(MA, 1.5 Years or 3 Semesters)

Duration

1.5 years

Qualification Awarded

Master of Arts in Digital Media and Communications

Level of Qualification

Master Degree (2nd Cycle)

Language of Instruction

English

Mode of Study

Full-time or Part-time

Minimum ECTs Credits

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Digital Media and Communications (MA, 1.5 Years or 3 Semesters)

Duration	1.5 years
Qualification Awarded	Master of Arts in Digital Media and Communications
Level of Qualification	Master Degree (2nd Cycle)
Language of Instruction	English
Mode of Study	Full-time or Part-time
Minimum ECTS Credits	90

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Overview

Profile of the Programme

The programme is designed to be completed in one calendar year (12 months), over a fall, a spring and a summer semester of 13 weeks. Working professionals have the part-time study option which may take longer. The programme consists of core courses, specialisation requirements and electives. Students are required to attend lectures and seminars and engage in individual as well as group-based learning activities.

Aims

What role does digital media, particularly social media, play in the economy, politics and everyday life? How has social media changed the practice of journalism, public relations and advertising? The MA in Digital media and Communications addresses these and similar questions that have emerged out of the rise of social media and its increasing domination of the media and communication professions. This programme offers a critical analysis of the operation, functions, use, embeddedness and ramifications of social media in a globalised, networked society. It is aimed at people who wish to acquire a critical understanding of social media and learn how to analyse and mobilise them strategically. The programme places emphasis on an evidence-based, scientific examination of current and emerging digital media practices and trends and on helping students develop their ability to successfully utilise social media in the practice of journalism, public relations, marketing and advertising.

Objectives

The objectives of the MA in Digital Media and Communications are to provide a critical understanding of current theories, key concepts and new research methods related to social media, investigate institutional, social and technical factors shaping social media practices, examine social media practices as utilised by a variety of actors, including journalists, businesses, politicians and public figures, and enable students to develop effective social media strategies in the practice of journalism, public relations, political lobbying, marketing and advertising.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme can be employed as online programme directors, social media strategists or public relations officers, reporters and producers in the mass media such as newspapers and magazines, public relations and advertising agencies and state and private radio and TV channels. This programme will also prepare students to embark on careers in political communication, research and consultancy.

Access to Further Studies

Upon completion of the programme, students have direct access to further studies. Admission to the Ph.D. programme in Media and Communication offered by the department. This will offer a valuable gateway into a career in academia.

Admission

Admission Criteria

The minimum general requirement for admission to the post-graduate degree programme is a Bachelor Degree from a recognised university.

English Language Proficiency

Students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present a minimum TOEFL score 550 and above, or Computer-based TOEFL score of 213 and above, or Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) score 79-80 and above, or GCSE (or GCE) English Language “O” Level of “C” or above or IELTS of 6.5 and above or Cambridge Exams (First Certificate with Grade B and above, as well as Proficiency with Grade C and above or a score placement at the ENGL-100 level of the University English Placement Test. The University offers English courses at various levels to help students reach the required standard for admission to a graduate program.

Assessment

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects, and class participation.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

Graduation

The student must complete 90 ECTS and all programme requirements.

A minimum cumulative grade point average (CPA) of 2.0 is required. Thus, although a ‘D-‘ is a PASS grade, in order to achieve a CPA of 2.0 an average grade of ‘C’ is required.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the programme the student will be able to:

Demonstrate an advanced understanding of mass communication processes
Demonstrate improved competence in dealing with media production and consumption
Comprehend media production and criticise media content in a constructive manner
Exhibit a specialty in particular areas, in order to prepare for careers in media research, public relations, journalism, media criticism, advertising, media management and media regulation
Pursue career development in the media and/or secure high-level employment in media-related professions
Further their theoretical and analytical research competencies by pursuing doctoral studies

Academic Path

Section: A Required Courses

Min. ECTS Credits: 90 Max. ECTS Credits: 90

Course ID	Course Title	ECTS Credits
MCOM-501	Digital Media Innovation and Social Transformation	10
MCOM-502	Digital Communication, Culture and Society	10
MCOM-503	Digital Media Content	10
MCOM-512	Digital Sports, Health and Lifestyle Communication	10
MCOM-520	Public Relations and Advertising in the Digital Age	10
MCOM-522	Social Media Management	10
MCOM-590	Research Methods in Media and Communications	10
MCOM-595	Thesis	20

Section: B Unallocated Courses

Min. ECTS Credits: 0 Max. ECTS Credits: 0

Semester Breakdown

Semester 1

Α/Α	Course Name	Course Code	Number of ECTS	Lecturer
1	Digital Media Innovation and Social Transformation	MCOM-501	10	Prof. Tao Papaioannou
2	Digital Communication, Culture and Society	MCOM-502	10	Dr Marilena Zackheos
2	Digital Media Content	MCOM-503	10	Dr Mike Hajimichael

Semester 2

Α/Α	Course Name	Course Code	Number of ECTS	Lecturer
4	Digital Sports, Health and Lifestyle Communication	MCOM-512	10	Dr Nicholas Nicoli
5	Public Relations and Advertising in the Digital Age	MCOM-520	10	Prof. Tao Papaioannou
6	Social Media Management	MCOM-522	10	Dr Marcos Komodromos

Semester 3

Α/Α	Course Name	Course Code	Number of ECTS	Lecturer
7	Research Methods in Media and Communications	MCOM-590	10	Dr Mike Hajimichael
8	Thesis	MCOM-595	20	Dr Mike Hajimichael

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.