Degree Requirements

Overview

30 Credit Hours | Available in Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, and Spanish

Launch a career that can shape the future. The Master of Science in Global Media and Cultures is a joining program between the School of Literature, Media, and Communications (LMC) and the School of Modern Languages (ModLangs) at Georgia Tech. This unique humanities program merges curricular offerings from both Schools and gives students the opportunity to engage in advanced research and training that combines cross-cultural competence, language acquisition, and media and communications expertise with global and cultural research.

In order to successfully matriculate through the program, students are expected to complete 30 credit hours of coursework. Students will maintain a concentration in one of the available languages, complete a final project, and create a professional portfolio.

Course Sequence

The following course progressions detail possible expected timelines for students within the program. Please note, students are free to customize semesters to best suit their academic interest, career goals, and timeline.

One Year Sample Course Sequence
Fall SemesterSpring SemesterSummer Semester
GMC 6001 (Theory)GMC 6002 (Methods)

Final Project

Note: Students are enrolled in
research credits and expected
to complete independent work
during this time.

GMC 6003 (Portfolio)
Language 6XXXLanguage 6XXX
LMC 6XXXLMC 6XXX
Language -or- LMCLanguage -or- LMC

Degree Requirements

  • 6 credit hours of MSGMC required Core Courses
    • GMC 6001. Global Media Cultures, 3 Credits, Fall: Students gain a theoretical grounding in analyzing and navigating cross-cultural and multimedia contexts to assist students in ideating possibilities for their final project. Course themes explore global issues across multiple contexts and forms, with case studies and topics varying based on student interest, current global affairs, and faculty expertise.
    • GMC 6002. Research Methodologies. 1 Credit, Spring: Taught by LMC and ModLangs subject librarians, this course provides students with a working knowledge of research methods and practices, intellectual property, and public communication. Students will better understand the published work of others relative to their individual research and projects, and how to effectively communicate their own work in the public sphere. Students complete a literature review, an annotated bibliography, and a research communication plan. Collaboration with Georgia Tech's Library Next.
    • GMC 6003. Professional Portfolio. 2 Credits, Spring: In this course, students create a portfolio of targeted materials to position themselves for success on the job market and/or in academia. Possibilities for portfolio materials include resumes in English and the language of focus, samples of professional-level work, the development of a professional network, and the compilation of previous work completed by the student.
  • 6 credit hours at the 6000-level in LMC, at least one course per semester in Fall and Spring.
  • 6 credit hours at the 6000-level in one language offered by ModLangs. (Chinese, French, German, Japanese, Korean, Russian, Spanish), at least one course per semester in Fall and Spring.
  • 6 credit hours of Electives (6000-level in LMC or ModLangs)
  • 6 credit hours of a Final Project, which may include a combination of coursework, MS Thesis, an internship or practicum, or independent project in LMC or ModLangs in Summer and/or following Fall.
    • Development of final projects begins throughout the first two-semester. Students are encouraged to complete their projects over the summer and/or in the following fall semester. Projects can take a variety of forms based on students’ academic and career interests. Each project must include an applied and reflective component in which students demonstrate the expertise gained in language, media, cultural studies, and communication.

View past course offerings within LMC and ModLangs catalogs to explore our curriculum. Please note that courses offered are subject to change each semester. Students will work closely with academic program managers to curate their schedules to their needs.

Georgia Tech Course Catalog

To view language courses, please search for your target language within the catalog.

Individualization Guidelines

The degree requirements are adaptable for individualized needs and interests. Each student’s course of study will be designed through dual advising by faculty from each School, according to the following guidelines:

  • Required courses, electives, and the culminating project should indicate a clear area of specialization in a linguistic, cultural, thematic, or disciplinary area of inquiry.
  • Students must take a minimum of 6 credit hours each in LMC and ModLangs. They may take a maximum of 18 credit hours in one School for their individualized program of study.
  • Students may enroll in Internships (domestic or abroad), Language Practicum courses (domestic or abroad), or Intercultural Seminar for up to 6 credits each. In total, students may count no more than 12 credits of courses in these categories toward the degree. Students may enroll in no more than 3 credits of MS Thesis in Summer Semester.
  • 3 credits of elective coursework can be undertaken in another unit, as per approval by graduate advisor.

Final Projects

Curious about what a final project entails?
Check out our archive of final projects completed by previous students.
 

Final projects are customizable to the student’s desires. Some possible formats for final projects include domestic and international internships, theses, documentaries, translations, animations, service-learning, and other creative works.


 

Degree Requirements