UNIVERSITY OF DAR ES SALAAM
SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND MASS COMMUNICATION (SJMC)

M.A Mass Communication

    The general objective of the course:


The Master of Arts in Mass Communication programme has been formulated to meet the needs and growth of the current media industry, which require well-qualified professionals with sound knowledge and skills necessary to address the technological, economic as well as social changes taking place in the world and within the country today. The programme creates an avenue for practitioners who have been in the industry for a long time but need to strengthen their credentials. Also it provides opportunity for universities and other institutions to train their teaching staff in media studies.

Admission Requirements

For admission, applicants must be first degree holders from recognised universities in a relevant discipline, preferably in media-related fields such as journalism and mass communication or public relations and advertising, with a minimum GPA of 2.7.  Applicants with a postgraduate diploma from a recognised university coupled with work experience also qualify. A proof of English Language proficiency at the time of application from certified centres that offer such tests is also required.

 

Structure and Duration

The M.A. programme lasts for 18 months. Students will undertake the coursework for two semesters and thereafter work on the dissertation in a period of six months. To graduate, a student needs a minimum of 180 credits and a maximum of 204 credits. Students need to take four (4) core courses and a maximum of two (2) elective courses per semester. Students are also required to write a dissertation that meets the requirements of the University of Dar es Salaam. The dissertation carries 60 credits and is graded.

 

Assessment/Evaluation

Coursework 50%

Final Examination 50%

 

Courses

Semester 1

Core Courses

Code                                                                                          

Course Title                                                                                

Credits                                                              

CO 600

Communication Theory

12

CO 601

Research Methods in Mass Communication    

12

CO 602

Media Gender and Society

12

CO 603

Writing for Mass Media

12

 

Semester 1

Elective Courses

Code                                                                                          

Course Title                                                                                

Credits                                                              

DS 610

Issues in Development

8

CO 604

International Media Systems

12

CO 605

Corporate Communication

12

CO 606

Media in East Africa

12

 

Semester 2

Core Courses

Code                                                                                          

Course Title                                                                                

Credits                                                              

CO 607

Media Ethics

12

CO 608

Media Laws and Policies

12

CO 609

Media Management and Economics

12

CO 610

New Media Technologies

12

 

Semester 2

Elective Courses

Code                                                                                          

Course Title                                                                                

Credits                                                              

DS 611

Colloquium on Media and Development

12

CO 612

Media and Democracy

12

CO 613

Media Criticism

12

CO 614

Masters Project

12

 

Core Course

Code                                                                                          

Course Title                                                                                

Credits                                                             

CO 669

Dissertation

60