MA in Global Communications: Digital Cultures and Industries Track
Track Description
This track is designed for students who want to meet the challenges of the changing landscape of global communications, and gain practical mastery of digital communications media literacies, including social media strategy, digital copywriting, multimedia storytelling through film and podcasting, visual design, coding, and data analysis and visualization. Students on this track gain access to a variety of career pathways in digital media production such as branding, advertising and public relations; film, television and design; and journalism and writing.
The rapid rise of digital media following the ubiquity of the internet has brought new conceptions of identity and community, and shifted the way we network, socialize, conduct business and engage with politics and activism into spaces that are increasingly digital. These media are situated within rapidly changing global cultures and the economic context of communications industries themselves.
In the digital era, it is vital that our students take a critical approach when it comes to information and data. AUP’s approach emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, exposure to industry professions and the combination of theoretical comprehension and practical skills prepares students to navigate fast-paced digital careers and ask the questions needed to thrive in this transforming digital world.
Alongside the skills developed through core MAGC courses, the Digital Cultures and Industries Track focuses on topics such as:
- the rise of digital media and ongoing global debates about its use;
- the cultural, economic and political transformations that have accompanied such a rise;
- mobile media and the new app economy;
- data and algorithmic cultures;
- data overload and fake news;
- digital global advocacy; and
- digital tools in context.
Digital Cultures and Industries students also have access to a limited number of electives from across global communications and other relevant disciplines, including those in brands and belief, politics and economics of global media, and advanced video production.
Find out more about the requirements of the general track on the main program page.

Structure
MA in Global Communications, Digital Cultures and Industries Track: Program Requirements (48 credits)
The MA in Global Communications is a 48-credit program, regardless of which track is selected. All courses listed below are 4-credit courses unless otherwise noted.
Please note that all requirements from previous years can be found in our archive catalogs.
Core Courses (16 credits)
Course Number | Course Name |
---|---|
CM5001 | Global Communications |
CM5004 | Global Digital Cultures |
CM5016 | Digital Advocacy: Within/Without Borders |
CM5018 | Digital Tools in Context |
Track Electives (16 credits)
Select four courses from the following list.
Course Number | Course Name |
---|---|
CM5002 | Brands and Belief |
CM5020MOD | MAGC Module: Choose two modules (2 credits each) |
CM5020MOD | |
CM5026 | Politics and Economics of Global Media |
CM5060 | Visual Culture, Theory and Communication |
CM5062 | Digital Media Writing Practicum |
CM5080 | Visual Design Practicum |
CM5091 | Topics in Communications (Changes each semester. Is selectable if relevant to student’s chosen track.) |
Open Electives (8 credits)
Students choose two additional elective courses from among all other MAGC course offerings (coded CM5) or selected courses from other master’s programs when relevant.
Internship, Thesis or Applied Project (6 credits) and Compulsory Seminar (2 credits)
Course number | Course Name |
---|---|
CM5095INPR or GR5096 or CM5098INT | Thesis or Applied Project Capstone or Internship |
Plus compulsory 2-credit seminar | |
GR5093 or GR5099 | Global Workplace Cultures: Internship Seminar or Thesis Seminar |
Timeline: Coursework and Research Master’s
The MA in Global Communications, Digital Cultures and Industries Track can be completed over three to four semesters, including Summer semester. The length of an internship or thesis may vary; however, many students choose to take additional time for these components.
Fall | Spring | Summer | Fall 2 |
---|---|---|---|
3 core courses | 2 core courses | 2 elective courses | Internship/Thesis* |
1 track elective course | 2 track elective courses | ||
Internship/Thesis Seminar (2 credits) | |||
16 credits | 18 credits | 8 credits | 6 credits |
* The length of the internship or thesis may vary. Many students choose to take additional time for these components.
Required GPA
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 will be placed on probation. Only two grades of C (or C+) may be counted towards an MA degree. Students do not earn credit for grades below C.
Spring | Summer | Fall | Spring 2 |
---|---|---|---|
3 core courses | 2 elective courses | 2 core courses | Internship/Thesis* |
1 track elective course | 2 track elective courses | ||
Internship/Thesis Seminar (2 credits) | |||
16 credits | 8 credits | 18 credits | 6 credits |
* The length of the internship or thesis may vary. Many students choose to take additional time for these components.
Required GPA
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 will be placed on probation. Only two grades of C (or C+) may be counted towards an MA degree. Students do not earn credit for grades below C.
1st Semester | 2nd Semester | 3rd Semester |
---|---|---|
3 core courses | 2 core courses | 2 elective courses |
1 track elective course | 2 track elective courses | Internship/Thesis* |
Internship/Thesis Seminar (2 credits) | ||
16 credits | 18 credits | 14 credits |
* The length of the internship or thesis may vary. Many students choose to take additional time for these components.
Required GPA
Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00. Students with a GPA of less than 3.00 will be placed on probation. Only two grades of C (or C+) may be counted towards an MA degree. Students do not earn credit for grades below C.