Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication

 

 

1.0       NAME OF THE PROGRAMME: Post Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication

            The Programme Code:  2302

 

0.      ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To be admitted for the PGD Mass Communication programme, a candidate is expected to have:

 

i)   First degree with a minimum of Third-Class grade in any discipline from a recognized university;

   or

ii)  HND with at least a minimum grade of Lower Credit in any discipline from a recognized institution;

 

In addition to:

 

iii)  Five ‘O’ level credit passes to include English language, English Literature and   Mathematics.

 

3.0       PHILOSOPHY, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

 

3.1 Programme Philosophy

To produce professionals who, through accessible, flexible and cost effective lifelong learning will make meaningful contributions to the development of Nigeria and the global Community by equipping them with a broad foundation in the general field of Mass Communication.

 

1. 1. Aims

To provide students with little or no background in Journalism or Mass Communication with adequate background in the principles of Mass Communication and an opportunity to develop techniques in written and audio-visual communication.

 

3.2       Objectives

Since this programme is basically designed to equip students with professional skills that will enable them work effectively in media organisations, certain critical skills of news gathering and reporting need to be emphasized.  Hence, at the completion of this programme, graduates should be able to:

 

1. Gather, process and report news in the accepted journalistic manner.
2. Report information using modern communication technology.
3. Write and present Radio and Television programmes for both the domestic and foreign media organizations.
4. Prepare a Professional Project for any Print or Electronic Media Organisation.

 

 

4.0      PROGRAMME STRUCTURE AND DEGREE RULES

 

4.1     Outline of Programme Structure

The PGD in Mass Communication is structured into a minimum of 2 semesters, and a maximum of 4 semesters.

 

S/N	Course Code	Course Title	Units	Status
1st Semester
1.	GST 707	The Good Study Guide	2	C
2.	CIT 701	Foundation of Information and Communication Technology	3	C
3.	JLS 711	Introduction to Journalism	3	C
4.	JLS 721	News Reporting & Writing	3	C
5.	JLS 714	Communication Research	3	C
6.	JLS 713	Media and Society	3	C
7.	JLS 731	Corporate Communication	3	E
8.	CSS755	Patterns and Trends of Crime in Nigeria	3	E
		Total Compulsory Credit Units	17
		Total Credit Units for Electives	3
		Total Credit Units	20
2nd Semester
1.	JLS 722	Publication Layout & Design	3	C
2.	JLS 712	Media Law and Ethics	3	C
3.	JLS 724	Feature Writing	3	C
4.	JLS 726	Speech Writing	3	C
5.	JLS 716	Professional Project	6	C
6.	JLS 732	Principles and Practice of Public Relations	3	E
7.	JLS 742	Fundamentals of Broadcasting	3	E
		Total Compulsory Credit Units	18
		Total Credit Units for Electives	3
		Total Credit Units	21
Students must pass all compulsory courses and a minimum of 6 credit units of Electives. In addition, they must carry out a PROFESSIONAL Project for the PRINT, PUBLIC RELATIONS OR BROADCAST Media.

 

4.2      Degree Rules.

To be eligible for the award of PGD in Mass Communication, the student must pass a minimum of 30 credits units which includes 6 units of elective courses for either the 2 or 4 semester programme structure.

 

Summary of Distribution of Course Credits by Semester

 

Semester	GST and other General Courses	Core/ Compulsory		TOTAL
		Mass Communication Courses	Elective
1st Semester	3	12	3	20
2nd Semester	-	18	3	21
Total	6	30	6	41

 

      4.3    Course Development

Course development is an integral part of Instructional design within the Open and Distance learning system. All the courses in this programme have been designed and developed in line with an approved curriculum to meet the educational needs of the target group. The course content is written by experts in the field of Journalism and Mass Communication to achieve specific learning objectives. Each study material consists of identified topics that make up the course outline. Study units are developed and written addressing these topics together with exercises which students can attempt to evaluate themselves, and tutor marked assignments which students will complete and submit for assessment. The study materials are passed through several editing processes to ensure quality both in content and language

 

         5.0        LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION

English is the language of instruction for this programme.

 

6.0    QUALITY ASSURANCE

 

6.1             Staff

S/N	NAME	RANK	QUALIFICATIONS	NATURE
1.	ONWUBERE, H. Chidinma	Associate Professor	PhD Mass Communication(2010)(Broadcast) UNILAG,  M.Sc Mass Communication (1995)  (PRAD) UNILAG,  PGD Mass Comm. (1992) (PRAD)  UNILAG,   B.A English Edu. UNN. (1986), SRN(1976) UNTH, Enugu.	Tenure (Full Time)
2.	Prof McCarthy Eserinune Mojaye	Professor		emojaye@noun.edu.ng
3.	NGOA Stanley Naribo	Professor	PhD Communication Theory (2006), Wits, SA (Political Life), M.Sc. Mass Communication, (2002), ESUT, MBA Marketing Communication (1999), AAU Ekpoma, Dip  Mgt. Inf. Systems (1996), (UI Consult), SHND Communication Studies (1980) Aberdeen UK.	Tenure (Full Time)
4.	ALIEDE Elom Jonathan	Professor	PhD. Mass Comm.  Benue state University. (2010), M.Sc. Pub. Rel. /Advert. UNN (2001), M.A Mass Comm. UNN (1998), B.A Mass Comm. UNN(1986)	Tenure (Full Time)
5.	ADELAKUN, Lateef Adekunle	Senior Lecturer	PhD Media Studies (2017), University of Malaya, Malaysia. M.Sc. Mass Communication (2011) UNILAG, B.Sc. Mass Comm.  (2005), UNILAG	Tenure (Full Time)

 

The University equally has facilitators spread across all the 71 Study Centres nation-wide, who handle communication courses.  There are also a host of other resident of the University staff in other faculties handling the elective courses.

           

 

 

6.2      Admission and Registration Procedure

Admissions and Registration are fully automated. Prospective students’ applications are passed through a set of criteria following NUC guidelines. Successful candidates are issued provisional letters of admission subject to presentation of original copies of their credentials for verification. The flexible nature of the University’s programmes allows candidates to register online for the minimum or maximum number of credits in a semester.

 

6.3      Instructional Methods and Delivery

The method of instruction is by the distance learning mode which involves the use of a range of media to bridge the ‘distance’ between the instructor and the students. Print is the major medium of instruction for this programme. Each course has a study material developed and written specifically for it, and which students are expected to study prior to their being examined. A course guide is also provided to give the student an overview of the course.

 

6.4      Evaluation

6.4.1 Tutor Marked Assignment

Continuous assessments are carried out in the form of assignments and are based on the study material for each course. These assignments will constitute 30% of the total score. The pass mark for the continuous assessment is 50% of the total score.

 

6.4.2 End of Semester Examination

Except otherwise stated, each course will culminate in an end of semester examination. The examination constitutes 70% of the total score. The pass mark for the final examination is 50% of the total score.

 

        6.4.3  Marking of Examination Scripts

Examination Scripts are marked by tutorial facilitators within their specified areas of          specialization.

 

       6.5   Learner Support

    The programme will be serviced by a range of support services one of which is the grading of the tutor marked assignments by tutorial facilitators. The assignments which will be returned to the students with facilitators’ comments will serve as a means for feedback and will enable students to assess and improve on their performance. Student counsellors are also available at the study centres to cater for the academic needs of learners.

 

 

7.0       RECOGNITION OF THE PROGRAMME

The programme has been prepared in line with international standards.

 

8.0       PROGRAMME STARTING DATE AND PRESENTATION SCHEDULE

Following the approval of Senate, the programme commenced 2004/2005 academic session.

 

9.0     TARGET GROUP

The programme should be of immense interest and benefit to professionals within various media organisations who desire to upgrade their qualifications, to those whose desire to pursue teaching and research careers as well as those who desire to transit from other disciplines into the field of Journalism.

 

10.0    STUDENT ENROLMENT AND PROJECTIONS

Based on the figures for first set of admissions (54), the programme is projected to have an estimated student population of 250 annually for the first three years and is expected to increase to 500 thereafter.

 

11.0    CONCLUSION

The Post-Graduate Diploma programme in Mass Communication is one of the novel programmes of the institution and it is aimed at strengthening and expanding the knowledge base in the communication industry. The demand for the programme emanates from the fact that professionalism of international standards is required for any nation that desires to participate successfully in the global market.