Major Code BC1920

Honors Tutorial College
35 Park Place
Athens, OH 45701
Phone: 740.593.2723
Fax: 740.593.9521
honors.college@ohio.edu
www.ohio.edu/honors

Beth Novak, director of studies
novakb@ohio.edu

Program Overview

The tutorial program in the School of Media Arts and Studies offers an individualized course of study for exceptional students interested in media industries. This program provides students with a broad liberal arts background, a concentration in theory and research, and practical training in digital media and integrated production, games and animation, screenwriting and producing, music production, and media and social change. Maximum opportunity will be afforded for the student to work at his or her own pace and to create a depth of education in media. The tutorial program prepares a student for a professional career or graduate study. Upon completion of the program, students receive a degree of Bachelor of Science in Communication from the Honors Tutorial College.

Tutorials

Students are required to complete eight tutorials within the School of Media Arts and Studies, including two devoted to the thesis. Tutorials may range from sophisticated research and analysis of existing media to production of original media products. In addition to the tutorials, the student must complete the Tier I English requirement, all core courses not covered by tutorials, and an appropriate number of approved electives. Internships and/or study abroad may be included within the program with permission from the Director of Studies. Honors Tutorial students take a minimum of 15 hours per semester.

The Honors Thesis

The honors thesis is a reflection of the student’s special interests. Its acceptance, dependent upon an appropriate mixture of research and analysis, relies upon the judgment of his or her thesis advisor and the Director of Studies. It is expected that this major paper will constitute work of the highest quality and may be project-based.

Evaluation

Students throughout the program earn letter grades consistent with the University grading system and are expected to maintain a GPA of 3.5 or higher. Students who earn less than a B (3.0), or who maintain less than a 3.5 GPA will need to confer with the Director of Studies and/or Dean of the College. In addition to letter grade assessments, tutors complete semester based course descriptions and evaluations of each student’s work. In these assessments both the student’s academic standing and academic attitude are evaluated.

Admissions Information

Freshman/First-Year Admission

Students are selected by the Director of Studies and the Honors Tutorial College on the basis of superior ability and sustained motivation. We look for good scores on standardized tests (30 composite score on the ACT or a combined score of 1300 on the SAT), but we also require a good high school record (class standing in the top 10%). An interview with the director of studies is required for acceptance into our program. Recommendations from two high school teachers and a portfolio are required. The personalized aspects of the tutorial system occasionally make it possible for us to accept students who have not performed well on standardized measure of ability but who demonstrate exceptional aptitude in other ways. The priority deadline for application for admission is December 1st, and admission interviews are held in January.

Change of Program Policy

First-year students at Ohio University may apply to transfer into the media arts and studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. The priority deadline for application is December 1st.

External Transfer Admission

First-year students at another institution may also apply to transfer to the media arts and studies tutorial program and the Honors Tutorial College. These students must meet the same entrance requirements as entering freshmen. The priority deadline for application is December 1st.

Opportunities Upon Graduation

A number of professional opportunities are available to tutorial students in the School of Media Arts and Studies. Two public radio stations, a public television station, student-run production organizations, and other experiential learning opportunities (study in LA, capstone production projects, study abroad) provide professional experience in all aspects of media. Tutorial students are expected to seek out training and experience in these facilities. Internships are available in media industries in all specializations and in a number of locales including New York and Hollywood. These internships are often summer-long experiences that allow the student to gain college credit while working at a professional level in the industry.

Requirements