Overview
Manship School Rich in Tradition, Innovative in Approach to Communications
The Manship School, located in the oldest building on the campus of Louisiana State University, is also one of the oldest institutions in the country that teaches journalism and mass communication. The school has the only Ph.D. program devoted specifically to media and public affairs, and is the only college-level program identified by LSU as a priority program.
Manship's Public Policy Research Lab is one of the largest university survey facilities in the southeast, having expanded its research capabilities recently with its new Media Effects Lab. The Journalism Building in the Manship School was renovated and expanded, and contains the most modern media technology available today.
Master's Degree Program at LSU Prepares Graduates for Becoming Mass Communications Leaders
The Manship School of Mass Communication at LSU offers a master's degree program for graduate students. The Master's in Mass Communication (MMC) specializes in media and public affairs, with students selecting coursework to focus on specific types of mass media practice. Students may specialize in public relations, advertising, political communications, journalism, or any of several other academic paths.
The MMC degree is designed for college graduates wanting to further their academic achievements, or working professionals who wish to pursue advanced study to supplement their experience or change careers. The program is also geared toward helping international students understand the mass communication system in the United States.
Concurrent Master's and Juris Doctor Degree Program Designed for Students Pursuing Careers in Law-Related Communications
The Manship School and the Louisiana State University Law Center offer a concurrent degree program for students who wish to work as mass communications professionals in fields related to law. Students may receive both a Master of Mass Communication degree and a Juris Doctor/Diploma in Civil Law in approximately four years.
Although the two degree programs are separate, the establishment of the concurrent program makes it possible for students to complete both degrees more quickly and efficiently because each school recognizes credit hours earned for coursework completed in the other school.
Manship's Media and Public Affairs Doctoral Program Exposes Students to a Wide Range of Disciplines
LSU's Manship School offers the nation's only Ph.D. program focused exclusively on media and public affairs. Doctoral students complete a comprehensive course of study encompassing a wide range of disciplines including journalism, advertising, political communication, public relations, and sociology. Students participate in extensive coursework, examinations, dissertation proposal and defense, and also gain teaching experience. The program offers the flexibility for students to pursue compelling issues that interest them, and collaborate with other departments.
Administrative Support and Professional Opportunities Create a Unique Graduate Program Experience
The Manship School provides outstanding faculty and administrative support for graduate students, including opportunities for graduate assistantships and fellowships, small class sizes, personal attention and guidance from senior faculty members, collaborative opportunities for research with Ph.D. students and faculty, and a state-of-the-art building holding high quality computer and technology resources. The diverse student body and faculty work together to develop skills for success in careers in print and broadcast journalism; advertising and public relations; political consulting; or government, corporate, or media organizations.
Outstanding Faculty, Students, and Resources Produce a Winning Combination at LSU
Instructors in Manship's diverse faculty hold degrees in journalism, sociology, law, political science, and other disciplines related to mass communications. Instructors come from top universities around the world, and several have joint appointments with the Department of Political Science.
Students in the doctoral program at Louisiana State University also have outstanding backgrounds, including an EPA executive, a former CNN anchor, and the first female editor of a major newspaper in India. Classes are small and the student body is diverse, bringing together a wide array of experiences and skills to collaborate together.
The Manship School's commitment to students extends to a comprehensive network of resources and opportunities to support faculty and graduate research. The Forum on Media Diversity provides a database of articles and books that provide professional media organizations and universities with access to research specifically focused on diversity. The Reilly Center for Media and Public Affairs is a research hub that helps with funding research programs conducted by faculty and graduate students. The Public Policy Research Lab and the Media Effects Lab both allow students and faculty to conduct research studies using campus-based state-of-the-art research facilities.
Internships Give Students the Opportunity for Real-World Application of Academic Principles
The Manship School's internship coordinator assists graduate students in securing internships where they can use classroom learning in a real-world situation. Students have enough academic background to serve as functioning team members, while still having the opportunity to hone their skills and increase their knowledge with actual hands-on work.
In addition, LSU students can find internships independently, by networking with friends and family, or by meeting with professionals who serve as guest lecturers in classes. The school's Web site also contains an online database of available internships.
