Short Description of the Program
The master’s program is designed for individuals of any specialty who want to study the field of digital media production and communication in depth. The program is suitable for those who are studying journalism/mass communication at an undergraduate level, as well as for those who decide to change their specialty at the master’s level of education and obtain a new profession.
One of the main goals of the Master’s program in Digital Media and Communication is to intensively teach digital media, as multimedia journalism, which combines text, video, or audio production as it is becoming more popular in Georgia as well as the development of Internet media. In the modern Western world, there is a trend of media convergence, or the process of breaking down the boundaries between different types of media. Thus, teaching media and communication is unimaginable without web technologies.
According to the results of the employers’ research, it was determined that the master’s program in “Digital Media and Communication” should provide specialists in the field of media and communication according to the needs of the media industry who, on the one hand, have deep and systematic knowledge of modern digital media trends. They will develop practical skills needed for multimedia journalists and at the same time will be equipped with in-depth knowledge of the basic theories, innovative forms or methods of mass communication.
The goal of the program is to prepare:
Qualified and competitive specialists relevant to the modern media industry in a rapidly changing digital environment with in-depth and systematic theoretical and practical knowledge in digital media and communication. A graduate who possesses practical skills needed for the digital media industry: visual news/discourse techniques or forms; Ability to prepare various platforms and create multimedia materials; Ability to conduct research and social media analytics; Ability to process data and visualize them;
A graduate who will continue his / her life-long study due to the needs of the rapidly changing digital media industry – gaining current knowledge, refining it and mastering new technologies. Also, prepare postgraduate students for the next stage of academic education – to continue their doctoral studies in the field of digital media, as well as in mass communication or media research.
The master’s program was prepared within the framework of the “Media Education Support Program” funded by the Embassy of the United States of America in Georgia. Digital Media Courses are designed in analogy with Loyola University (Chicago, Illinois) Master of Digital Media and Visual Storytelling. Within the framework of this exchange project, Georgian professors had an opportunity to get an experience of their American colleagues in Chicago, which was followed by several return visits to Georgia.
Prof. Dr. Richelle Rogers, Loyola University Media Studies Master’s Program coordinator took an active part in the development of this program, in determining its learning outcomes. It was through his consultations that the syllabi of the compulsory digital media courses were designed.
Exchange Programs
Students are given various opportunities to participate in the exchange program for undergraduate study, based on memoranda signed by the International Black Sea University with many Western universities.
Field of Employment
The master’s program will train competitive specialists in digital media and communication. The knowledge and skills acquired by graduates will enable them to respond to the challenges of modern media and communication.
Graduates will be able to get employed in both – online and traditional media organizations (television, newspaper, magazine, news agency); Public relations services in public, private or non-governmental organizations as multimedia journalists, producers, social media managers, etc.;
As the program, in addition to the development of practical skills, provides a deep and systematic theoretical knowledge in media and communication, it is a good basis for future pedagogical or scientific activities. Graduates will be able to continue their studies at a doctoral level, if they wish.
Admission Requirements
Requirements for Georgian MA applicants:
- Bachelor’s degree or equivalent academic degree;
- Successfully passed the Unified Master’s Exam;
- Interview on the subject;
- Passing a B2 level intra-university test in a foreign language if it is not supported by a BA diploma;
Take note!
- The grant exam is conducted as per the program’s language of construction;
- Applicants who have an international language certificate are exempted from the IBSU foreign language test;
- The applicants are exempted from passing the foreign language test if they completed an English-taught educational program. They will be enrolled based on the interview;
- In the event of equal points during the interview, the master’s degree candidate’s GPA will be considered in the competition criteria.
Required documents:
- Application form;
- 2 photos (3X4) (printed and in electronic form);
- Notarized copies of the diploma and the appendix, or the certificate issued by the relevant higher education institution on awarding the degree and a consolidated mark sheet (the IBSU diploma does not need to be notarized);
- Applicants with higher education overseas should present notarized translations of the diploma and appendix, as well as documentation confirming their international education;
- Copy of identification card/passport (for citizens of foreign countries – notarized translation);
- An international certificate confirming the level of proficiency in a foreign language/a document confirming the academic degree obtained as a result of the completion of a foreign language program – diploma and appendix (if any);
- A military registration document issued in accordance with law;
- A Common Master’s Degree Exam Card.
Information for foreign citizens: www.iro.ibsu.edu.ge
________________________________________________________________________________________________
Degree to be awarded: Master of Mass Communication
Language of instruction: Georgian
Duration and credits: 2 years, 120 ECTS
Tuition Fee
Georgian citizens: 4500 GEL
International Students: 9900 GEL
Discounts:
Grant System for MA Programs:
1) MA candidates who sign the contract before August 31 and pay 950 GEL will get a 20% grant.
Note: If the master’s candidate does not enroll in IBSU, the mentioned amount will not be refunded; In case of enrollment, 950 GEL will be included in the tuition fee; If the master’s candidate fails the IBSU exam, the corresponding money will be refunded.
2) A 10% grant for graduates
3) If the master’s candidate achieves more than 80% of the maximum score in the unified master’s examinations or has a BA GPA of 3.3, he or she will get an annual grant of 1250 GEL (2500 GEL total).
Note: In this instance, a test will be given to acquire financing; the candidate must earn at least 80% of the maximum score.
Note:
- IBSU alumni can benefit from all three grants at the same time.
- For graduates of other universities, only one grant is valid, which is larger in total.
Deadlines
Acceptance of documents: 3 September
Interview: 4-10 September
Grant exam: 11 September
Results: 13 September
Registration: 16-22 September
Late registration: September 23 – October 6
Contact Information
Email: viktoria.mindiashvili@ibsu.edu.ge
Tel: (+995 32) 2 800 064 (182)
Program coordinator, prof. doc. Dali Osepashvili | dosepashvili@ibsu.edu.ge