Overview of the Double Master’s Degree in Journalism and Global Mass Communication

At Ohio University and Leipzig University

The Quick Overview

• Inthisuniqueprogram,studentscansimultaneouslyobtainaninternationaldoublemaster’sdegreefrombothOhioUniversityandLeipzigUniversity.

• Thedoubledegreeisparticularlyattractiveforstudentswithaninterestinaprofessionalcareerininternationaljournalismandglobalmasscommuni-cation,aswellasforstudentswhowanttobecomescholarsinjournalismandmasscommunication

• Studentscancompletethedoublemaster’sdegreeprogramwithinthenormal2-yearperiodthatthemaster’sprogramtakes,withtheirthirdsemesterasthestudyabroadsemesteratLeipzigUniversity(languageofinstruction:English).

• StudentswhoreceivefundingfromOhioUniversity(stipendandtuitionwaiver)willkeepthesebenefitsduringtheirsemesterinLeipzig,whilestudentswhopayfortheirmaster’sprogramwillsavemoneybecauseLeipzigUniversitydoesnotrequiretuition.

• Studentswillhaveamaster’scommitteeconsistingoftwoOUfacultymembersandonefromLeipzigfortheirthesis(professionalprojectorreadingoptionarenotacceptedinLeipzig).

• Youmustfirstbeadmittedintoourmaster’sprogramandthenapplyseparatelyforthedoubledegreeprogram,whichprovidesuptofivespotsperyearforselectedstudents.

• PleaseapplybyOct.1andonlyafteryou’vestartedourmaster’sprogram.

AgroupofjournalismstudentsfromOhioUniversityduringthe2013SummerSchoolinLeipzigisgatheringinfrontoftheThomaskircheattheBachMemorial

(Photo:KevinGrieves,E.W.ScrippsSchoolofJournalism)

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General Program Information

Based on their long-term partnership, Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and the Institute for Communication and Media Studies at Leipzig University have developed a unique collaboration that offers a unique double master’s degree for master’s students from the two partner institutions. Students who complete this program will simultaneously be awarded a double degree of “Master of Science in Journalism” from Ohio University and a “Master of Arts in Global Mass Communication” from Leipzig University.

Unlike existing international double degree programs, where students usually spend four years (two years at each partner university), this program can be completed within the regular two-year period to obtain two master’s degrees instead of one. Because both institutions mutually recognize coursework from the other university, participating students only need to spend one semester at the partner institution, usually their third semester.

StudentsandfacultyfromLeipzigandOhioUniversityvisitingthestudent-runRadioMephistoatLeipzigUniversity(2013).OUundergraduateJacobBetznerandgraduatestudentPaulJacoway(�),thirdandsecondtotheright.Prof.RobertStewartandProf.Hans-JörgStiehlerrightofthecolumn.

(Photo:KevinGrieves,E.W.ScrippsSchoolofJournalism)

The goal of this double master’s degree program is to prepare students for a successful career in the rapidly changing field of globally connected media and to become responsible global communicators as professionals and scholars in journalism and mass communication.

It is particularly well suited for students with an interest in international journalism and global mass communication, as well as for students who want to embark on an international professional career. It also prepares students for a career in the academic field and related areas.

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Leipzig as a Place to Study and Live

Located in the middle of Europe and more than 1000 years old, Leipzig has a rich and manifold history. It was the heart of the peaceful revolution of 1989 that brought an end to the former East German Government. The Leipzig book fair has a centuries-long tradition and set the tone for the modern media metropolis that the city of over 500,000 is today. In recent years, Leipzig has become one of the most popular thriving cities in Europe due to its energetic cultural life, its cosmopolitan atmosphere, and its state-of-the-art infrastructure.

Leipzig has been the birthplace and home of many famous artists and scientists, among them the composers Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Richard Wagner and Gustav Mahler, the philosophers Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Ernst Bloch, the painter Max Beckmann, and the psychologist Wilhelm Wundt. The famous Gewandhaus Orchestra, housed in the modern concert hall Leipziger Gewandhaus, has been a leading orchestra for over 250 years. At the same time, Leipzig has many museums, libraries, and cinemas, as well as a vibrant contemporary music, theater, and culture scene, including a nationally renowned festival for documentary and animated film, a famous wave-gothic festival, and much more.

LeipzigUniversity

withnewUniversity

ChurchSt.Paul.(Photo:Bernhard

Debatin,E.W.ScrippsSchoolof

Journalism)

Leipzig University, founded in 1409, is one of the oldest universities in Germany and among the top 25 leading German universities. It has nearly 30,000 students and it offers a broad and comprehensive variety of subject areas. Student life in Leipzig is characterized by low living expenses, a fantastic public transportation system, and a welcoming atmosphere. People are very friendly and the younger ones will speak English very well.

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Due to its central location, Leipzig invites for trips to other close-by cities, such as Berlin, Frankfurt, Warsaw, Dresden, Prague, Munich, or even Paris, Rome, and Amsterdam. Day trips or weekend trips by train or long-distance bus are easy, safe, and cheap.

OldTownHallatmarketsquare(Photo:BernhardDebatin,E.W.ScrippsSchoolofJournalism)

Admittance and Financing

Students must first be admitted into our master’s program and will then apply separately for the double master’s degree program at the beginning of their studies, to be enrolled as degree-seeking students at both Ohio University, which serves as their “home university,” and Leipzig University, as the partner institution. The program provides up to five spots per year for selected students from OU. Applicants will be selected based on their overall performance, promise, and demonstrated interest in the field (for details see Double Master’s Degree Application). Minimum entry criteria for the double degree program are a bachelor’s degree and a TOEFL of 100 (IBT) or 600 (paper), if the applicant is not a native English speaker.

Students in our master’s program who receive funding (a scholarship and a tuition waiver) will be able to keep their funding during their study abroad semester at Leipzig University. Students who pay themselves for their education at Ohio University will be able to save some money through this program because Leipzig University does not require tuition. However, students will have to pay some applicable registration and administrative fees when present at the partner university. Students will also be responsible for meeting the insurance coverage requirements (health, accident, liability) during their stay at the partner university. As a rule, students will be required to purchase existing study away insurance through the university prior to travel to Leipzig. Specific information will be made available upon request.

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Coursework in the Double Master’s Degree Program

The Double Master Degree Program comprises 38 credit hours as a requirement for the master’s degree from Ohio University, of which at least 50% have to be taken through Ohio University, either during the students’ stay at Ohio University or via distance learning courses from Ohio University. The remaining credit hours can be obtained from Leipzig University and be transferred in through the appropriate process. At the same time, it also comprises a maximum of 120 ECTS credits as a requirement for the master’s degree from Leipzig University, which recognizes Ohio University coursework as fulfilling their requirements, as well.

What’s the difference to the normal master’s program in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism?

• The semester in Leipzig will provide you with a unique opportunity to specialize in European and German mass media and journalism. The recommended courses fulfill the requirements of our master’s program and at the same time lay the groundwork for your master’s degree from Leipzig University.

• Although the language of instruction is English, you will take a free, 4-week-long orientation and intensive language course in “survival German” at the beginning of your stay at the end of August. German universities start their fall semester in October, so you have all of September to get used to the German language and culture and to take the course.

• Leipzig requires an academic thesis (reading option/professional project are not accepted).

• Leipzig has a variety of media, ranging from the student-run Radio Mephisto, to a number of local newspapers and magazines, to the influential public broadcast station MDR (Mittel deutscher Rundfunk). Students participating in the double master’s degree program are encouraged to explore internship and practicum opportuni-ties and other avenues to gain first-hand experience in a different cultural setting after com-pleting their study abroad semester at Leipzig University.

Newsroomofstudent-runRadioMephisto.(Photo:BernhardDebatin,E.W.ScrippsSchoolofJournalism)

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A list of typical courses for the completion of the double master’s degree is outlined in the following table. Please note that the third semester is the study abroad semester at Leipzig University.

Table:ModelCurriculumforOHIOUNIVERSITYSTUDENTSwithThirdSemesterinLeipzig

CreditHours atOU atLUFirstSemester(OhioUniversity)

JOUR5010"IntrotoGraduateStudies"(1crh) 1 JOUR5100“CommunicationLaw”(3crh) 3 JOUR8060"ResearchMethods"(4crh) 4 JOUR8030“SeminarinMassCommunicationTheory”(4crh) 4 JOUR6011“Writing/Reporting”(3crh,onlyifneeded) (3)

SecondSemester(OhioUniversity)

JOUR8130"Internet,Ethics,andSociety"(4crh) 4 JOUR7XXXor8XXX“AdvancedResearchTechniques”(4crh) 4 JOUR7XXXor8XXX“AdvancedResearchTechniques”(ART)or“SeminarinResearchTopics”(SRT)(3crh)

3

JOUR6010Graphics/Editing(3crh,onlyifneeded) (3) ThirdSemester(StudyAbroadatLeipzigUniversity)*

JOUR5020“ThesisProposal”(1crh,withOUfacultymember) 1 ResearchTopics(ForschungsfelderderKMW1,Modul06-005-503)“ResearchTopics1&2”(2crhplus2crh)SharedcoursewithLeipzigStudentsreplacesOUcourseJOUR7XXXor8XXXor“SeminarinResearchTopics”(4crh)

4

Elective:Open(EnglischesModulausdemAngebotderKMWoderangrenzenderFelder,Platzhalter)“Elective”(4crh)replacesOUCourseJOUR7XXXor8XXX“Elective”(4crh)

4

Elective:InternationalMedia(Modul06-005-506)“Europeanditsmedia”(3crh)replacesOUCourseJOUR5XXX,6XXX,or7XXX“Elective”(3crh)

3

FourthSemester(OhioUniversity/LeipzigUniversity)

JOUR6950“Thesis”(3crh) 3 Totalateachinstitution 27 11

Addinguptotherequiredtotalof 38CreditHoursEqualingLeipzigUniversitycreditsupto 120ETCS

(Note: Course information subject to change) ______________________________ * Students may take additional elective classes at Leipzig University, which are not needed to fulfill

the degree requirements for Ohio University but can be taken without any problem.

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Thesis Requirement

Students will be expected to find, propose, and defend a master’s thesis topic at the latest by the end of their third semester. The thesis shall be written in English and will be submitted to both institutions. Students submitting their thesis must be enrolled with each university. The thesis must fulfill the thesis requirements for both programs. Leipzig University only recognizes academic theses, which means the professional project and reading option are not available in the double degree program! If you want to do a professional project, you must submit an extended version (>50 pages) of your research paper to fulfil the Leipzig thesis requirement.

The thesis proposal and the actual thesis will be supervised and assessed by a thesis committee consisting the Chair and two additional advisory committee members from both partner institutions. The Chair will typically come from the home institution of the student.

Both universities will issue their master’s degree certificates with a document indicating the shared nature of the qualification with the following language:

“ThedegreewascompletedinthebinationalDoubleMaster’sProgram“MasterofArtsinGlobalMassCommunication”and“MasterofScienceinJournalism”inwhichthelanguageofinstructionisEnglish.TheDoubleDegreeProgramisjointlyorganizedbyLeipzigUniversity(Leipzig,Saxony,Germany)andOhioUniversity(Athens,Ohio,U.S.A.).”

StudentsfromLeipzigUniversityarevisitinga2012mediaethicsclassatOhioUniversity’sE.W.ScrippsSchoolofJournalism.(Photo:RobertStewart,E.W.ScrippsSchoolofJournalism)

More Information

Unless stated otherwise, the conditions for the master’s program in journalism at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism apply (see the Master’s Program Information).

For additional information and application please contact:

• Program Director of the Double Master’s Degree Program, Dr. Bernhard Debatin, email: debatin@ohio.edu, or phone: 740-593-9809.