Academics
Graduate Programs
Graduate Programs
Multidisciplinary Studies - Public Relations Management Option, M.A., M.S.
About the Program
Multidisciplinary studies programs are designed for individuals with unique professional and educational objectives not readily met by traditional master’s degree programs. Through advisement and within certain guidelines, students may design their own programs.
There are five program options available: individualized, environmental research
and education, human services administration, museum studies, or public relations
management.
This option is designed for students who hold undergraduate degrees in areas other than public relations, although public relations graduates can be admitted. Those interested in the public relations programs who do not wish to pursue a master’s degree in multidisciplinary studies may choose a four-course certificate option. The certificate program will assist those making the transition to public relations management by focusing on formal perspectives of the professional and managerial dimensions of the field.
Ronald D. Smith, Program Coordinator and Chair
Communication Department
Bishop Hall 207, (716) 878-6008
Visit the Multidisciplinary Studies Web site at http://www.buffalostate.edu/graduatestudies/multi/ for detailed program information.
About the Graduate School Department
204 Cleveland Hall
1300 Elmwood Ave
Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-5601
Fax: (716) 878-5630
www.buffalostate.edu/graduateschool/
Contact Faculty and Staff in the Graduate School Department
Admission Requirements
1. A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale).
2. A statement of intent as detailed for each option.
3. An interview with the program coordinator. The program coordinator will contact the student for an appointment after the completed application is received.
4. Supplemental application forms for this program may be downloaded from the Graduate School Web site.
In addition, all applicants should review the Admission to a Graduate Program section in this catalog.
Upon satisfactory completion of an approved course of study, either a master of arts or a master of science degree is awarded, depending on the scope and content of the program.
In addition, the applicant should include:
1. A statement of intent, which must include the following information: (a) work
experience, if any, relevant to public relations or public communication fields; (b)career goals and how this program will help the applicant achieve them; and (c) a detailed outline of the proposed plan of study, including specific courses, if applying to the master of science degree (if applying only to the certificate program, no list of courses is required).
Advisement (All Options)
Each student must convene an academic advisory committee for his or her program consisting of a principal adviser (PA) and two additional graduate advisers.
(Human services administration and public relations management options have
assigned PAs; see the option coordinator for details.) It is the student’s responsibility to initiate and maintain contact with the advisory committee.
The PA works closely with the student throughout his or her course of study and usually supervises the student’s thesis or project. The PA works with the student to select two graduate faculty members to serve on his or her program advisory committee.
The advisory committee approves the student’s plan of study (candidacy application) and the thesis or project, and attests to the student’s successful completion of the approved program. At least two of the college’s four schools (arts and humanities, education, natural and social sciences, and professions) must be represented on the committee. One committee member from outside the college (a member of a graduate faculty at another institution) may be recommended but must meet the approval of the corresponding Buffalo State department and the dean of the Graduate School. A copy of the non–Buffalo State faculty member’s curriculum vitae must accompany the candidacy application. All committee memberships must be approved by the dean of the Graduate School.
Program Requirements
1. Completion of a minimum of 30 credit hours, comprising at least 15 hours of 600- and 700-level courses, including the master’s thesis or master’s project.
2. A maximum of 12 credit hours may be taken in a discipline that offers a master’s degree. [Exceptions: A maximum of 18 credit hours may be taken in a discipline that offers a master’s degree when the student does a master’s thesis (6 credits). A maximum of 15 credit hours may be taken in a discipline that offers a master’s degree when the student does a master’s project (3 credits).]
3. A maximum of 18 credit hours may be taken in a discipline that does not offer a master’s degree.
4. A maximum of 15 credit hours may be taken at another accredited institution.
This coursework must conform to the limitations stated in 2 and 3 (above) and must have the prior approval of the principal adviser and the program advisory committee.
5. Only grades of B or better will be accepted as transfer credit. An official transcript showing transfer credit must be submitted to the Graduate School.
6. Coursework (including transfer credit) must be completed within the six-year period immediately preceding the date of completion of the program.
7. A maximum of 6 credit hours of independent study may be included in the program.
8. Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (4.0 scale).
9. Master of arts candidates must complete a thesis and must orally defend it to the satisfaction of the principal adviser and the advisory committee. Master of science candidates must complete either a thesis or a supervised project and also must successfully defend it in an oral examination by the principal adviser and the advisory committee.
10. An application for admission to candidacy, approved by the student’s principal adviser and members of the advisory committee, must be submitted to the Graduate School before the completion of 12 credit hours at Buffalo State.
