US Embassy in Baku announces admissions to master’s degree program

The U.S. Embassy has announced that the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) is soliciting applications from Azerbaijani citizens for a master's degree program in journalism and media management offered by the Caucasus School of Journalism and Media Management.

The program is taught by instructors from the United States, European Union member states, Georgia, and Azerbaijan, the embassy told Trend on Wednesday. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of State.

The overall goal of the program is to strengthen the media in the emerging democratic societies of the Caucasus.

Five Azerbaijani students will be selected for the program, which will be offered in four semesters from September 2012 to May 2014. The first and fourth semesters of the program will be held in Baku, in cooperation with a local university and other media organizations. Students will study in Georgia from January-December 2013 and return there for the defense of a thesis/ final project in May 2014.

While resident at GIPA, students will have access to computer, audio and video equipment, the Internet, and a journalism library. The program will produce a student newspaper, Brosse Street Journal, in print and electronic versions and air reports to Radio GIPA FM.

The program curriculum provides a hands-on, experiential approach to learning the latest techniques of fact-based, professional reporting and writing in both print and broadcast media. Management techniques and key knowledge fields, such as economics and the judiciary, are also stressed. Faculty and curriculum for the School will be provided in cooperation with IREX Georgia in the framework of the four-year USAID-funded G-MEDIA (Georgian Media Enhance Democracy, Informed Citizenry and Accountability) program, and the South Carolina University.

Strong English language skills, as demonstrated by a written exam and at an oral interview, are required.

The U.S. Embassy in Baku provides tuition support and financial assistance for the duration of studies in Georgia to students who demonstrate financial need.


/Trend/