Arizona State University, USA

I. Description of instructional schedule
The curricular offer is provided by “Hugh Downs School of Human Communication” (COM) and the “Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication”. The courses offered by the “Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication” are divided into two sections “Journalism and Mass Communication” (JMC) and “Mass Communication” (MCO).

II. Assessment rules
The Arizona Board of Regents has defined (May 26, 1979) a unit of credit for the institutions under its jurisdiction. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. An hour of work represents a minimum of 50 minutes of class time - often called a “contact hour” - or 60 minutes of independent study work. For lecture-discussion courses, this requirement equates to at least 15 contact hours and a minimum of 30 hours of work outside the classroom for each unit of credit. Even though the values of 15 and 30 may vary for different modes of instruction, the minimum total of 45 hours of work for each unit of credit is a constant. Since the unit of credit as defined by the Arizona Board of Regents is the cornerstone of academic degree programs at ASU, degrees granted by other institutions that are recognized by ASU should be based on a similar unit of credit.
At the end of the term students receive a transcript, on which all courses the student has attended are listed with the grade obtained. The workload of one seminar equals those 30 ECTS credit points given at an European University.

III. Teaching and administrative staff
Dr. William Davey is the local director of the European Master at the International Programs Office (IPO) at the Arizona State University (click here for CV) The IPO consists of 13 contributing staff members.

IV. Term dates
Mid August - mid December

V. Examination period
December

VI. Requirements and procedure for application
Application information: http://ipo.asu.edu/registration/appInfo.php

Faculty Recommendation Form
Qualifying Application
Academic Advisor Form
Statement of Purpose
Foreign Language Proficiency Evaluation Form

VII. Application Deadline
April 1st for the fall term

VIII. Support for international and / or first-year students
Student Life strives to enhance student learning and student achievement by fostering a positive, inclusive campus environment through programs and services which support the needs of a diverse student population; providing opportunities for students to engage in experiences that enrich the value of their education; assisting students in developing leadership and life skills in order to empower them to advocate for their needs and interests; and, creating awareness and promoting understanding in order to educate students about student, community and social issues (http://www.asu.edu/studentlife). There is also a special service for international stundents at http://www.asu.edu/studentlife/iso.

IX. Institutional frame
--- at the moment no information available

X. Research activities
The "Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication" prepares students to enter positions in the media field, provides courses that lead to an understanding of the role and responsibility of the media and ensures that students receive a broad-based education rooted in the following fields:

• Journalism
• Media Analysis and Criticism
• Media Management
• Media Production
• Strategic Media & Public Relations

The "Hugh Downs School of Human Communication" exits to advance the understanding of message-related human behaviour for the purpose of improving communicative interactions. Teaching, research and service are directed to the continued development of knowledge and the application of principles of communication. Areas of study are:

• Interpersonal Communication
• Organizational Communication
• Performance Studies
• Rhetoric Studies and Public Communication

XI. Quality assurance and evaluation
Arizona State University was evaluated by the "Higher Learning Commission" in March 2003. The accreditation started in August 2003 and will be completed by 2013. The "Higher Learning Com-mission" of the "North Central Association" accredited colleges, universities and other institutions, that certify degrees on university level. According to the evaluation team of the NCA Arizona State University is extremely efficient in the following sections/departments:

• effective and visionary leadership
• a strong faculty committed to the institution and its mission
• a strong student services division
• efficient and sensitive administrative services areas
• a broad and rich curriculum, substantial parts of which are focused on the special needs of metropolitan Phoenix
• the impressive and rapid development as a research university
• the quality library resources
• the strong computer support and resources
• a much improved promotion and tenure process
• greatly strengthened service to the metropolitan community
• impressive articulation agreements with community college