Visual Communication
Graduate Visual Communications Courses
The School of Visual Communication offers a program of study leading to the Master of Arts in photography with a specialization in visual communication. The M.A. requires at least 45 quarter hours of graduate coursework. Requirements include: a master's project, VICO 514, 522, 571 and 20-24 hours in a major field of study. Major fields of study include: Photojournalism (including documentary photography), Commercial Photography (including illustrative photography), Interactive Multimedia, and Picture Editing/Publication design.
In addition, students in the Photojournalism or Picture Editing/Publication Design field of study are required to take JOUR 511-Newspaper and Communication Law and JOUR 512-Ethics, Mass Media, and Society. These courses may be waived if you present evidence that you have completed equivalent coursework or have equivalent professional experience. Credit for these courses does not apply toward the degree requirements.
A required progress review is held at the end of the first quarter or completion of fifteen-quarter hours to assess the student's suitability for continued study.
Application
To apply, you must have a bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 grade-point average (g.p.a.) on a 4.0 scale. Other factors including professional experience or outstanding portfolio may qualify you for admission if your g.p.a. is below the minimum. Submit completed application forms, the application fee, and two official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended to the Office of Graduate Studies, Ohio University, McKee House, Athens OH 45701-2979. All students whose native language is not English and do not have a bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education in the United States are required to achieve a TOEFL score of 600.
In addition to the material submited to the Gradute Student Studies office, you must also submit to the Graduate Chair of the School of Visual Communication the following additional material: three letters of recommendation, a resume, a non-returnable portfolio, and a 500-word statement of intent outlining why you want to attend graduate school. Send this additional required material to the Graduate Chair, School of Visual Communication, Ohio University, 301 Seigfred Hall, Athens OH 45701-2979.
Successful applicants generally have three or more years of professional experience and a focused statement of intent.
Portfolio
Your portfolio must meet these requirements: For Photojournalism, Commericial Photography or Picture Editing/Page Design--a minimum 20-slide portfolio in a slide file page is preferred. You may instead submit a CD-ROM portfolio, with digital images viewable on a Macintosh computer. All images must be a JPEG format at a resolution of 800 x 600 pixels at 72 ppi pixels per inch. All images must be contained in a single folder (directory). No self-running presentations, Web sites or prints will be considered. Interactive Multimedia applicants may submit their portfolio on appropriate media to be viewed on Macintosh computers.Deadline
The deadline for international students is receipt of all application material by December 15. The deadline for domestic students is receipt of all application material is February 1. Only applicants who have submitted all materials in the requested format by the deadline will be considered. All materials should be received well in advance of the deadline. A campus visit prior to the February 1 application deadline is strongly recommended for domestic students.Equipment Requirements
Photojournalism students are required to have at least two professional-level 35mm SLR cameras, two lenses and a dedicated flash. One lens should have a 35mm or shorter focal length with a maximum aperture of f/2.8 or larger. The second lens should be in the 135 to 200mm f/2.8 range. Zoom lenses are also acceptable if they meet the maximum aperture requirement of f/2.8 or larger.Commercial Photography students should have a professional-level medium-format camera with interchangeable film backs, a Polaroid 545i back, one wide-angle lens, one telephoto lens and a flash meter.
Financial Aid
The school awards a limited number of teaching assistantships and Office of Graduate Studies (OGS) stipend scholarships, which are in exchange for assigned student work. Selection is competitive and based upon openings and funding. You must maintain a 3.0 g.p.a to retain support. To be considered, mark the appropriate item on the application for graduate admission. See the financial aid section for information on financial aid programs available through the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships.
For Further Information
Write to the Graduate Chair, School of Visual Communication, Ohio University, Seigfred Hall, Athens OH 45701-2979, or visit the school's Web site: https://www.viscom.ohiou.edu/
Athens, OH 45701
(740) 593-1000