Name of the Master Program: Media psychology and communications 

Qualification awarded: MSc in Media Studies

Language of instruction: English

Head of the program: Professor Mariam Gersamia

Duration of teaching: 4 semesters

Distribution of credits ECTS

Program - 120 credits

Mandatory courses – 65 credits

Elective courses - 40 credits

Free credits - 15 credits

To equip graduates with systematic knowledge and skill-based international competencies (I-COMs) in accordance with job market requirements and provide them with systematic knowledge in media psychology and the comprehensive research skills so that they could:

Conduct multidisciplinary research projects in media psychology and communications: research the interaction between media (social media included) and individuals/groups/society, as well as the influence of modern technologies on human behavior and investigate psychological media effects;

Contribute in raising awareness up in media influences, information and digital literacy (MIDL);

With research-backed recommendations, have positive impact on the development of media standards, media environment and media psychology field;

To contribute with freshly gained knowledge in academia and exchange this knowledge with academic and non-academic audience as well;   

BA degree/equal to it from authorized higher education institution. 

A minimum criterion for admission is B2 level English proficiency (FCE - evaluation A or B; IELTS - points 5.0 - 6.5; TOEIC – points 400 - 485 (listening) and 385 - 450 (reading); TOEFL (IBT) - points 87-109; PTE (General) - level 3; PTE (Academic) -  points 59; (40 % of the evaluation).

Writing examination (Essay, In English); (40 % of the evaluation).

Interview with the program committee; (20 % of the evaluation).

This set is concerned with the knowledge and skill-based competencies in the discipline of media psychology required for adequately researching, describing, explaining interaction between media, technologies and humans, media use, processes and media effects on individuals, different groups and in general human’s behavior.  International Competencies (I-COM) cover the possession of knowledge of media psychological theories and models, empirical evidence relating to them and methods of enquiry, as well as an understanding of the interplay between the discipline and practice. I-COM are the foundation upon which the other competencies depend. Core competencies are based on program learning outcomes (PLOs).

According to international experience, media psychologist work in broadcasting companies, marketing and advertising firms, digital marketing sphere, colleges and universities, governmental and non-governmental and private research facilities; they do Independent and corporate consulting, contribute in Public advocacy and policy-making, research organizations. 

Areas of employment and positions include but not limit to:

Analytical and counselling companies (research positions);

Non-governmental organizations focused on media and communication (research positions, consultants);

PR, marketing organizations and advertising agencies (consultants);

Media-monitoring companies (research positions);

Media organization: TV, Radio, online media (advertising and media firm consultants, journalists and producers)

Governmental agencies and political parties (consultants).

There are major areas in which media psychology is fundamental:

Writing about media or performing as expert guests on various media

Consulting media personnel

Researching ways to improve all forms of media

Developing media standards

 Studying the sociological, behavioral and psychological effects of media, etc.[1]

Examples where research will be valuable as well include:

The formation, maintenance or change of individual and group stereotypes;

On-camera and off-camera diversity and its effects on audiences, media stories and media perspectives;

Advertising and propaganda messages;

Learning based on new information and new skills, etc.[2].

According to different sources, media psychologists are making contributions in many fields, such as:

Development of social media strategy for organizations and brands;

Developing online platforms for social entrepreneurship and NGOs;

Community creation and audience engagement;

Entertainment properties that expand across media;

Translation of psychological research for journalists and the public.

TSU has memorandums of understandings with potential employers. The launching of the program will contribute in popularization of this filed in Georgia.

3200 GEL (for citizens of Georgia); 6400 GEL (non-citizens of Georgia)

Number of teachers involved in the program: There are 14 teachers involved in teaching for this program: Academic staff from TSU – 8 professors/scientists; Invited lecturers – 6; Foreign lecturers – 2.

The academic auditoriums equipped with appropriate inventory, working rooms for the academic and administrative personnel, individual meeting rooms for students, conference auditoriums, Computer Resource Center, TV Studio, TSU Multimedia Center, newsroom equipped with recorders, Digital Cameras, etc. are located in the sixth academic building of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, (8, Chavchavadze Av., where the main teaching process is underway). The library resources are located in the first, the second, the third and Uptown buildings. Libraries are equipped with computers and other necessary equipment. Compulsory literature and / or readers listed in the syllabus of the program are available for students. Students have access to scientific databases (Elsevier SCOPUS, Elsevier ScienceDirect, EBSCOHost, JSTOR).

[1] Batinic, Bernad, ed (2008) (in German). Medienpsychologie. Heidelberg: Springer Medizin Verlag. ISBN 978-3-540-46894- http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-46899-8. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-media-psychology-effect/201211/defining-and-describing-media-psychology (last seen Aug. 20, 2018)

[2] Ibid