Film and Media Studies, MAS
Program Description
Degree Awarded: MAS Film and Media Studies
Providing a comprehensive overview of film, television, video games and other digital media across a range of texts and platforms, the MAS program in film and media studies helps students develop into more critically informed writers, teachers, storytellers and consumers of popular culture and media.
Delivered exclusively online, the Master of Advanced Study program explores the aesthetic, industrial, social and cultural dimensions of U.S. media production within a dynamic, interactive and flexible learning environment.
The Master of Advanced Study in Film and Media Studies at ASU offers working professionals and lifelong learners a dynamic education in US film, television, and digital media. Taught exclusively online by outstanding media scholars, critics, and filmmakers, the program explores the artistic, economic, and cultural dimensions of media production through small classes in aesthetics, history, and theory.
Aaron Baker, Director
Kira Assad, Graduate Advisor, Program Manager
Degree Requirements
30 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam
Required Core (9 credit hours)
FMS 504 Film Analysis (3)
FMS 510 Digital Media Studies (3)
FMS 520 Cultural History of US Television: Theory and Method (3)
Electives (21 credit hours)
Culminating Experience (0 credit hours)
written comprehensive exam (0)
Additional Curriculum Information
The program consists of nine credit hours of core courses, 21 credit hours of electives and a written comprehensive exam. Students should review the webpage and then consult the director.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program, or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00= "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- resume or curriculum vitae
- letters of recommendation (optional)
- application essay
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English and has not graduated from an institution of higher learning in the United States must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Applications will not be processed without valid proof of English proficiency; official scores must be sent to ASU in order for the application to be processed.
In a one-page, double-spaced statement of purpose, the applicant should explain how their goals and interests align with the focus of the program.
Applicants are asked to write and submit a three-page essay that assesses their knowledge of media theory and critical analysis skills. The subject of the essay is given in the online application. Applicants should demonstrate the ability to write well and construct a persuasive critical argument. Appropriate secondary sources should be used in this essay.
While letters of recommendation are optional, applicants may include two or three letters in their application. Recommenders should be former teachers or supervisors who address the applicant's academic performance, motivation and character.
Courses and Electives
The culminating experience will be a written exam taken in the final semester of the program while registered for other courses. Questions about the degree requirements can be directed to your academic advisor.
FMS Graduate Online Course Rotation (subject to change) - Spring 2023 and Summer 2023
FMS Graduate Online Course Rotation (subject to change) - begins Fall 2023
Core Courses (9 credit hours)
- FMS 504 Film Analysis*
- FMS 510 Digital Media Studies
- FMS 520 Cultural History of US Television: Theory and Method
*Please note, this course cannot be substituted with MLS 504.
**These are the core courses starting Fall 2021. Students admitted prior to Fall 2021 have the option to keep FMS 502 as a core course as previously offered OR take FMS 510 instead.
Electives (21 credit hours)
- FMS 502 Film Historiography
- FMS 503 Media Industries
- FMS 508 Race, Gender, and Sexuality in Media
- FMS 523 Authorship in Film and Media
- FMS 567 WWII in Film (crosslisted as an ENG/WWS subject prefix)
- FMS 598 Sci-Fi Cinema
- FMS 598 Media Stardom and Celebrity
- FMS 598 Media, Technology, and Society
- ENG 598 Studies in Environmental Humanities
- GER 598 Holocaust, War, and German Memory (crosslisted as a WWS/SLC subject prefix)
*Outside the department electives may be approved on a case-by-case basis. Please contact your advisor for approval before taking the course.
Culminating Experience (0 credit hours)
- Written Exam* - Taken in the final semester of the program. Students must be registered for at least one graduate level credit the semester they are taking the exam.
*The recommendation is to take the exam in the last semester of the program when registered for other courses. Please note the exam is only offered in fall and spring. Summer graduates will take the exam in spring.
The written exam is a pass/fail exam and students will write two essays. The first question asks students to draw on their knowledge from the program to answer a question focused on the central learning outcomes of the program. The second question, which contains two prompts that students will choose one to write their essay on, is based on the three core courses of the program.
Students will be expected to write two 5-page essays for each of their answers. These essays need to be submitted via Word attachments and need to be written in 12 pt. font, double spaced, using MLA format for citations.
Fall Exam Dates:
- October 18: Students will email their advisor by October 18 to indicate they will be taking the written exam fall semester.
- October 25: Students will receive an email from the FMS Program Director with their questions. They will have 7 days to complete their essay answers (due by November 1, 11:59 p.m. Arizona time).
- November 1: Students will email a Word attachment of the exam back to the FMS Program Director by 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. FMS faculty will return comments to the student along with the determination of Pass or Fail.
Spring Exam Dates:
- March 18: Students will email their advisor by March 18 to indicate they will be taking the written exam spring semester.
- March 25: Students will receive an email from the FMS Program Director with their questions. They will have 7 days to complete their essay answers (due by April 1, 11:59 p.m. Arizona time).
- April 1: Students will email a Word attachment of the exam back to the FMS Program Director by 11:59 p.m. Arizona time. FMS faculty will return comments to the student along with the determination of Pass or Fail.
MAS students who do not pass the exam can retake it the following semester.
Summer Graduates: The exam is only offered in fall and spring. Students graduating in summer will take the exam in spring.
Once exams results are received, your iPOS will be updated by your advisor.
For questions about this program, please use the Get Program Details form at our page on ASU Online.
Next Steps to attend ASU
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Application Deadlines
Fall
Spring
Summer
Learning Outcomes
- Graduates will be able to analyze the cultural, economic, political and technological factors that influence media production, reception and analysis.
- Graduates of this program will be able to engage theory and apply key concepts in film and media studies.
- Students will be able to identify, evaluate and integrate appropriate primary and secondary sources in relation to the study of media.
Career Opportunities
Media industries are sources of ever-increasing opportunities for graduates. The Master of Advanced Study degree in film and media studies provides students with a set of valuable skills that lead to numerous employment opportunities in fields including education, academia, journalism, communications, research and media consulting. There is also more need for media studies experts in every major industry, with media presence being a requirement in today's society. Every industry and company has media departments with specialists in media policy, strategy, research, marketing, social media and branding.
Career examples include:
- archivist
- branding strategist
- educator
- media buyer
- media critic
- media industry journalist
- media researcher
- political media strategist
- producer
- public relations expert
- social media strategist
- teacher
Global Opportunities
Global Experience
With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs. https://mystudyabroad.asu.edu
Attend Online
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program description and request more information here.
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly. For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
- enggrad@asu.edu
- 480/965-7454