mcclureschool.info/graduate/

The J. Warren McClure School of Communication Systems Management offers the Master of Communication Technology and Policy, a professional interdisciplinary degree focusing on the technicl, policy, and strategic isues related to telecommunication and information technologies, systems and services. Principal focus is on the voice and data networks, with special emphasis on the interaction of technology and policy issues in the successful design, deployment, and operation of complex networks and information systems.

Technology topics includes network theory and infrastructure, quality of service, network assurance and security, network services and IT integration, broadband, and wireless communications. Policy includes government regulation, competition and market structure, international telecommunications, telecommunications and economic development, and social/ethical issues.

Perspectives include those of network system and service providers, consumers, policy makers, and managers. Industry perspectives include telecommunication carriers, communication system equipment vendors, and enterprise voice and data network providers. The program is geared towards completion within one year of residence at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio.

Core courses provide a background in both technology and policy. By the end of the first quarter of enrollment, students select one of two telecommunictaion and networking system tracks (technology or policy) and design with their advisor specialty and cognate coursework to meet the students' educational and career objectives.

Admissions

A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university, with sufficient undergraduate course work to constitute at least a minor in Communication Systems Management, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Engineering Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, or related areas deemed relevant by the Graduate Admissions Committee.

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Section; or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT).

A completed application form, including the applicant's Personal Goals Statement.

Resume.

Three (3) letters of recommendation.

Further information as necessary; the Graduate Admission Committee may request a personal interview if additional information about the applicant is required.

It is possible for applicants to substitute professional experience for completion of course work in the relevant areas listed above. Applicants who meet the above requirements, except for course work in Communication Systems Management, Computer Science, Management Information Systems, Engineering, Economics, Public Administration, Political Science, or another relevant area, can demonstrate preparation for study in this field by having completed at least three years of professional experience in which the applicant performed tasks or duties covered by the MCTP curriculum. Applicants demonstrate this experience by submitting a job description that will be reviewed by the Graduate Admission Committee to determine its relevance and adequacy.

Conditional admission to the MCTP program is possible for applicants who have neither relevant course work nor professional experience, and for applicants lacking a 3.0 GPA. Those applicants who cannot demonstrate preparation for this field of study through relevant course work or professional experience, but who meet the other admission criteria, may be granted conditional admission to the program, if one of the following two criteria is met:

Applicants must agree to complete 12 undergraduate hours of Communication Systems Management course work, consisting of COMT 220 (Systems and Applications I), COMT 222 (Systems and Applications II), and COMT 302 (Fundamentals of Common Carrier Regulation). Upon Completion of these 12 hours of course work, with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, the applicant will attain full admission status.

Applicants having substantial relevant industry experience not meeting the 3.0 coursework requirement, but meet the other admission criteria may be granted conditional admission to the program. Upon completion of the first three courses in the core curriculum (CO