Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication | Norman
Gaylord College offers an accelerated BA/MA program for high achieving undergraduate students to begin graduate study during their senior year. This program is designed for students to complete their master’s degree in one year beyond undergraduate study. This program allows students to earn both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years.
A Faster Path to a Master’s Degree.
Students can pursue an accelerated master's degree in creative media production, journalism, and strategic communication (with focus in public relations or advertising).
Applications received before March 1st of every year will be considered for the fall semester. Applicants usually receive admission decisions by April 15.
Click the Apply button below to submit your application.
The application will ask you to upload your resume, copy of your unofficial transcript and a statement of purpose. The statement of purpose is a letter addressed to the graduate committee explaining your academic and professional goals.
If you are good at time management, carrying a heavy courseload and interested in understanding the how or why behind the skills taught in the undergraduate classes, then this degree may be a good fit.
With opportunities to participate in research conferences, learn and work alongside doctoral students and pursue a research or research-based professional skills project, you can leverage your resume to stand out among the crowd.
Speak to your undergraduate advisor if possible early in your junior year so that you can plan semester schedules to meet the 97-hour degree requirement for admission. Contact graduate advisor Leslie Cermak in GLRD 3120C for more information and to discuss the program options.
The JMC elective courses are those that both undergraduate and graduate students take, with accelerated students typically completing a research component for the higher-level credit. The core graduate courses are conceptual “thinking” courses that require extra reading and responding to existing scholarship. These courses tend to meet in the weekday evenings.
Yes, though we encourage any applicant to carefully consider the time they want to devote to these opportunities, a job, possible night classes and coursework.
The Gaylord Graduate Student Association helps connect graduate students outside classes, and the traditional two-year master’s is always available to start right after a full senior year!
These requirements are set to be sure that a student is academically ready and capable of following the accelerated timeline. Students close to the requirements may be offered conditional admission, but the priority will be ensuring that students stay on track to successfully complete their bachelor’s degree.
Students should contact the Student Financial Center to understand which scholarships or loans may carry over. Accelerated students are eligible to apply through the CASH hub for annual scholarships.
Gaylord College offers its traditional two-year MA and MFA programs for applicants with a conferred bachelor’s. An accelerated degree can be convenient in time/cost, but graduate study is an option you can return to at any time! Visit graduate advisor Leslie Cermak to learn more about all of your options.
