American University of Central Asia - AUCA

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS

Objectives
The department aims to prepare every student to enter the job market to work in a range of positions and industries of mass communication and/or to qualify for a master’s program.

Tracks Offered
The three tracks are print and online journalism, broadcasting, and public relations and advertising.
The three tracks of studies cover practical knowledge, skills and examples from the main professional areas of mass communication, as well as the theoretical background, empirical findings and methodological skills of mass communication research. Students choose a track at the end of the second year and continue to integrate classes on academic theories and research into their direction of studies.

Specializations
Students choose specializations at the end of the second year of studies. To choose a specialization, one needs to complete all general introductory courses for each specialization (MC 236, MC 237, MC 238) as well as all the required courses for each specialization (MC 295/1 / MC295/2 / MC 295/3 and MC 340/1 / MC 340/2 / Mc 340/3). For print and online journalism, broadcast journalism, and public relations and advertising students are required to complete the course work specified by the department as well as to earn 6 credits of electives in the declared specialization.

Elective Courses in Mass Communication
The remaining 48 credits necessary to complete the 144-credit Bachelor of Arts requirement can be accumulated in elective courses from all University departments and programs. At the same time, students are required to take at least 12 credits in electives offered by the department, 6 of which must be in the declared specialization.

Electives in Public Relations 6 credits
Electives in Electronic 6 credits
Electives in Print 6 credits

Program overview

AUCA Journalism and Mass Communication Department has been training and educating competent media professionals since 1995. The Program’s graduates proved their professionalism working as reporters, staff writers, editors, public relations and communications specialists, they succeed in many organizations such as NTS TV, NBT TV, Pyramida TV, 5 Kanal, Raketa TV, Vecherny Bishkek daily, Internews, Helvetas, SDC, Associated Press and the like. A number of JMC graduates continued their studies in leading American and European universities and some of them returned to their alma mater to teach at the department.

In 2009 the Department received accreditation as the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, which has already begun offering courses in such high-demand areas as public relations, advertising, mass culture and media / communication studies.

AUCA offers students facilities and resources to develop hands-on journalistic skills along with regular course work. The students benefit from AUCA TV to develop and hone their reporting skills. They also practice writing and producing the student newspaper The New Star. Others gain experience through hands-on practice at the AUCA Public Relations Office. Some students contribute to production of the Alumni Magazine. The Program will continue streamlining its structure and content in the upcoming years to keep up with rapidly changing media in the Central Asian region, and the world.

Admission Requirements

Students are admitted to the J&MC program based on three examinations:

English (TOEFL)

Written exam/essay

Interiew

Graduation Requirements:

To earn the degree of Bachelor of Arts, J&MC students are expected to complete 21 courses within major (51).

All AUCA Journalism and Mass Communications students must undertake two internships during their course of studies:

1) Introductory internship with duration of two weeks to be implemented after the second semester (end of first year).

2) Specialized internship with duration of 30 days to be undertaken after the sixth semester of studies (end of 3 year).

The Department determines the location of the internship, and makes and agreement with mass media, PR agencies, consulting companies and private commercial institutions.