video-based production

The specialized Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies concentration in Video-Based Production has an emphasis on video production encompassing various components such as videoconferencing, multimedia, and linear editing. As low end, high quality video equipment becomes more affordable; more organizations (profit and nonprofit) invest in "in-house" production studios and staff. Their video needs include traditional videography, videoconferencing, web design, multimedia, and linear editing, to name a few.

The MAIS Video-Based Production concentration brings together various courses which are components of the video production world, and the MAIS is an ideal way to integrate course work with an applied final project, MAIS 798, focusing on video based technologies.

admission requirements

Students entering the program must have a basic knowledge of video production. Students with little or no video experience must take COMM 590: Seminar in Video Production within the first 9 credits of the program. Students with video experience who wish to waive this requirement must provide a videotape of their past work and consult with Dr. Cindy Lont. To discuss the waiver or the course work in the Video-Based Production concentration, contact Dr. Lont at (703) 993-1100 or by e-mail: clont@gmu.edu.

A graduate admissions application and additional university graduation admissions guidelines can be found at http://admissions.gmu.edu/. In addition, applicants will need to submit:

• transcripts from all colleges attended, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 (in the last 60 semester hours)
• three letters of reference (two academic and one employment)
• statement explaining why the video-based production concentration meets educational needs and goals
• GRE scores
• resume

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degree requirements

In addition to meeting all GMU graduate policy requirements found in the GMU catalog, a total of 36 graduate credit hours is required for this concentration, including a minimum of 18 hours from the following core course combinations:

• COMM 590 - Seminar: Video Production (basic video)
• COMM 697 - Independent Production: Directing & Editing
• COMM 655 - Theories of Visual Communication in Telecommunications or
  ENGL 670 - Visual Culture: Theories and Histories
• COMM 590 - Seminar: Script writing or
  EDIT 704 - Instructional Technology Foundations and Theories of Learning
• EDIT 750 - Emerging Educational Technologies or
  EDIT 611 - Distance Learning via Networks and Telecommunications
• COMM 694 - Internship
• Electives (9-12 credits) see below for listing
• MAIS 797 - Proposal Writing (1 credit)
• MAIS 798 - Individualized Studies Project (2-5 credits)or MAIS 799 Thesis (5 credits)
• For a copy of the Video Based Production Curriculum contract go to: Download Concentration Contract (pdf)

Elective course offerings:

• COMM 602 - Theories and Research of Mass Communication
• COMM 636 - Communication Consulting
• COMM 554 - Telecommunications Policy and Regulation
• COMM 656 - Global Communication
• COMM 590 - Seminar: Computer Controlled Editing
• COMM 696 - Directed Readings and Research
• EDIT 571 - Tools for Visual/Graphic Design
• EDIT 572 - Tools for Digital Video and Audio
• EDIT 575 - Authoring Tools
• EDIT 771 - Introduction to Multimedia and Hypermedia Design
• EDIT 772 - Web-Based Instructional Tools
• AVT 676 - Sound and Music for Video and Animation
• HIST 697 - Creating History in New Media

Credits that apply to the MAIS - Video-Based Production degree are subject to the following restrictions:

• minimum of twelve credits in one discipline, with a maximum of 18 credits in that discipline
• maximum of 6 credits earned through independent study or directed readings and research courses
• maximum of 6 credits taken through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area (These credits are counted as resident and not transfer credit.)
• maximum of 15 transfer credits (All transfer credits require the approval of the faculty advisor, the director of the MAIS program, and the dean. Transfer credits are any credits taken before first enrolling as an admitted degree-seeking student, whether taken at another institution, taken in another George Mason University graduate program, or completed through George Mason University's Extended Studies Program.)
• of the 15 possible transfer credits, a maximum of 6 may be from other accredited institutions.
• GMU graduate policy requires that 18 resident credit hours be completed while in degree status.

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contact information

Dr. C. Lont
Chair/Professor
Communication
clont@gmu.edu
703.993.1100

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course information

The MAIS Video-Based Production concentration brings together various courses which are components of the video production world, and the MAIS is an ideal way to integrate course work with an applied final project, MAIS 798, focusing on video based technologies. For full descriptions, including prerequisites of the courses listed above, please consult the GMU catalog (located in hard copy at the GMU bookstore).

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