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Master of Communication

Overview
The Master of Communication programme provides candidates with the opportunity to pursue their interest in research about management of media organizations, communication policy and planning which will broaden their career options. Candidates will study various aspects of communication to better understand its functions and its influence on organizations and societies.

This postgraduate programme, structured towards academic performance and skills in critical thinking and inquiry, will produce graduates to cater to the needs of various media, mass communication and related professions.

The UTAR Master of Communication is a specialized programme consisting of either exclusively research-based or a combination of research and coursework-based mode of study.

Throughout the programme, candidates are encouraged to participate in enhancement courses such as Dissertation Writing Workshop or to attend seminars and talks conducted by industry practitioners.

Who should enrol?
The Master of Communication is ideal for candidates who wish to seek employment or enhance their career prospects in a broad spectrum of professions such as international education, advertising, business and marketing, cultural exchange offices and diplomatic service.

Mode of Study
Master's Programme by Research
The research-based programme entails a specific programme of research under appropriate supervision. Research-based programmes generally have the objective of training candidates in research methodology and techniques, and in the critical evaluation of research work.. Candidates are required to apply and evaluate their methodologies and techniques to ensure validity and reliability. The research work produced in the form of a dissertation typically displays original and critical thought or some other significant findings.

Master's Programme by Research and Coursework
The research and coursework mode study comprises a major coursework component and a research component which is usually termed 'dissertation'. Satisfactory completion of both components is required for the award of the degree.

The UTAR Master of Communication combination mode programme contains subjects which provide candidates with an interdisciplinary background in communication, organisations, marketing, media and communication policy and planning. In addition to the coursework, candidates are required to complete a dissertation under the guidance of an academic supervisor. Typically, the combination mode programme comprises 5 core subjects including Research Methods, 2 elective subjects, and a dissertation. There will be a specified amount of contact time which will take the form of lectures and seminars.

Assessment for most subject includes individual and group assignment work, case-studies and examinations. Candidates might be required to give seminars and write reports on their research.

Duration
Full-time: Minimum 1.5 years; Maximum 4 years
Part-time: Minimum 2 years; Maximum 6 years

Medium of Instruction
The language of instruction and interaction is in English.

Entry Requirements

(a) A Bachelor’s degree with Honours in related areas from Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman or any other university recognised by the Senate; or

(b) An equivalent qualification from an institution recognized as of comparable status by the Senate; or

‘two’ (2) years working experience’ means any working experience after obtaining that qualification which period shall also include practical training and any industrial attachment.

English Requirement
    * SPM/O-Level English, minimum C4
    * Paper-based TOFEL, score > 580
    * Computer-based TOEFL, score >237
    * Internet-based Testing (IBT), score >92
    * International English Language Testing System (IELTS), score > 6.5
    * English 1119, Credit
    * MUET, band 4.0 or
    * American College Testing assessment (ACT), score > 22
    * Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT), score > 500
    * English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT), Score > 980

Programme Structure

Structure A - By Research (Thesis) : 2 Compulsory modules (6 credit hours) + Thesis
Details of Units:
No.	Unit Code	Unit Title	Type	Credit Hours
1	MJMA10100	Thesis	Core	0
2	MJMG10203	Communication Research Methods	Compulsory	3
3	MJMG11203	Communication Theory	Compulsory	3

Structure B - By Coursework and Research (Dissertation) : Coursework (Credit hours: 21) - 5 core units + 2 electives; and Dissertation (Credit hours: 0) Note: Students have to take core subjects and choose an elective during the semester
Details of Units:
No.	Unit Code	Unit Title	Type	Credit Hours
1	MJMB11118	Dissertation	Core	0
2	MJMG10203	Communication Research Methods	Core	3
3	MJMG11203	Communication Theory	Core	3
4	MJMB11303	Communication Policy and Planning	Core	3
5	MJMB11403	Statistics for Communication Research	Core	3
6	MJMB11503	Management of Media Organisations	Core	3
7	MJMB11603	Media Convergence	Elective 1	3
8	MJMB11703	Corporate Communication	Elective 1	3
9	MJMB11803	Integrated Marketing Communication	Elective 1	3
10	MJMB11903	Psychology and Communication	Elective 2	3
11	MJMB12003	Ethnicity and the Media	Elective 2	3
12	MJMB12103	Politics in the Media Age	Elective 2	3

Career Prospects

The programme equips graduates not only with content knowledge but also with the communication and written skills which are so important in the various media, mass communication and related professions.

Brief Profile Of Teaching Staff

Name	Position	Qualifications	Research Interest
Dr. Jaganathan a/l Marimuthu jaganathan@utar.edu.my	Associate Professor	PhD in Management and Training(UPM) M.Ed in Comparative Sociology(UM) B.A (Hons) History(UM)	Management and Training, Comparative Sociology International Relations and Public Relations
Mr Thinavan a/lPeriyayya thinavan@utar.edu.my	Associate Professor	M.A. Marketing,UNN Pg Dip Marketing,UNN BA (Hons) Communication,UKM	Communication: PR & Advertising Marketing Comm.
Dr. Velaithan a/l T.H.G. Nair gvnair@mail.utar.edu.my	Assistant Professor	Doctor of Business Administration, University of South Australia ( Corporate Communication) Master of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia ( Corp. Communication Bachelor of Business, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT University) ( Business Administration )	Mass Communication (Public Relations/ Corporate Communication/Change Management)
Dr. Ke Guek Nee kegn@utar.edu.my	Assistant Professor	PhD (IO Psychology) MA (IO Psychology) BA (Psychology)	Industrial and Organizational Psychology, Organizational Behaviour
Dr. Wu Ming Chu wumc@utar.edu.my	Assistant Professor	Ph.D. (Sociology/Social Economics) M.A. (Sociology) B.A. (Sociology)	Multicultural societal issues in culture, religion, education, and socio-economic development Socio-economic issues of ASEAN and China,gender issues
Encik Raduan bin Sharif raduan@utar.edu.my	Senior Lecturer	MSc (Corporate Comm), B Comm (PR)	Corporate Communication and Public Relations Corporate communication & Public Relations (International & Financial PR) Communication Technology New Media
Ms. Kumutham a/p Krishnan kumutham@utar.edu.my	Senior Lecturer	MSc (Corporate Communication)), B. A (Hons) Anthropology & Sociology	Advertising Corporate Communication Public Relations Communication Technology
Ms. Pauline Leong Pooi Yin leongpy@utar.edu.my	Senior Lecturer	Master of Mass Communication, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Bachelor of Law (Hons), The National University of Singapore	Journalism, Public Relations, Public Communication Campaigns
Dr. Toh Kian Kok tohkk@utar.edu.my	Associate Professor	Doctor of Philosophy, Universiti Malaya ( Probability and Statistics ) Master of Science, University of Central Oklahoma ( Applied Mathematical Science ) Bachelor of Science, University of Central Oklahoma ( Actuarial Sciences )	Discrete distribution theory, Application of survey research method in social issues
En. Abdul Satar bin Abdullah Harun	Assistant Professor	Master of Arts, Pittsburg State University (Communication ) Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons), UiTM (Public Relations )	Public relations, Interpersonal communication, Organizational communication.
Ms Sharon Jacqueline a/p Albert Wilson sharon@utar.edu.my	Lecturer	Master of Mass Communication, USM Bachelor of Arts (Translation)USM	Journalism, Ethics, New Media, Crime
Ms. Lee Li Li leell@utar.edu.my	Lecturer	Master of Arts, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( Industrial and Organizational Psychology ) Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia ( Communication & Psychology ) Diploma in Business Administration, The Association of Business Executives (ABE)	Psychology and communication, Child development
Pn. Anita binti Morah Abas anitam@utar.edu.my	Senior Lecturer	Master of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia ( Corporate Communication ) Diploma in Mass Communication, Institut Teknologi MARA ( Journalism ) Diploma in Publishing Studies, Universiti Malaya	Media and society, Communication social interaction, Political communication
Mr. Zachary Roland zachary@utar.edu.my	Assistant Professor	Master of Arts, Northumbria University ( Marketing ) Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, Northumbria University Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, Northumbria University Diploma in Advertising, Stamford College	Persuasion and consumer behaviour
Mr. Chin Yee Mun chinym@utar.edu.my	Lecturer	Master of Arts, Universiti Malaya ( Sociology ) Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Universiti Malaya ( Anthropology/Sociology )	Ethnic relation, Human Development, Culture and Communication
Ms. Chew Wee Lee chewwl@utar.edu.my	Senior Lecturer	Master of Arts, University of Leicester ( Mass Communication ) Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Universiti Malaya ( English )	Interpersonal communication, Organizational communication, Campaign effectiveness
Ms. Cynthia Lau Pui-Shan laups@utar.edu.my	Lecturer	Master of Publishing Studies, Universiti Malaya Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Universiti Malaya ( Media Studies )	New media and technology Games and new media

To view progress/flow of study, please click here for Structure A (by Research).

To view progress/flow of study, please click here for Structure B (by Coursework and Research).

UTAR reserves the right to make changes without prior notice.