People of advanced learning:
FYI - Joseph Lopez began the MA program in Radio Television and Film at the same time I did; Fall 2003. He finished and went on for a PHD. Last week I attended his dissertation defense. He was awarded a PHD by a committee including Sandy Stone, Joseph Straubhaar, Andy Garrison, Susan McLeland and a gentleman named Dan from anthropology.
This is the work he submitted and discussed:
http://dissertation.jtlopez.com/
I bring this to your attention as something that brought into question what it means to obtain the terminal degree in our field.