New Media Management - Where do I go?

[vcash]

Hello Everyone,

This is my fist post on the Gradcafe forum and I am excited to be here.

I have been working for the past 5 years and I plan on returning to Graduate School in the Fall of 2012, and I am currently evaluating offers from USC-Annenberg, Syracuse University-Newhouse and BU-COM for admission into their new media management programs. I also have an admissions offer from the New School's New Media Studies program but it is not in my consideration set at the moment.

My goal at the end of my graduate studies is to emerge out of these programs with the ability to either work with a start up in new media / niche role in a large media corporation (Such as Strategy) or develop an idea to take to the market in the next 3 years. Keeping this goal in mind, I believe that the following attributes are extremely important - Quality of faculty, Placement Success Rate, Average Starting Salary, Branding of School and Program and Networking Opportunities.

I have included a short brief on the programs along with some of my thoughts.

1. Boston University – MS in Media Ventures http://www.bu.edu/com/mediaventures/

My top choice is the Media Ventures program which is offered by the College of Communications at BU and it is about the business of emerging media. It is a one year bi-coastal intensive program that starts in the fall in Boston and culminates in the summer in LA. Classes include media in evolution, financial concepts, Media Business Entrepreneurship, a class on creating ideas and Multiplatform Entertainment Promotion and Marketing. The course also includes two internships in LA, one with a startup company and one with a traditional media company. The course has a strong entrepreneurial component where students start with an idea and build it out over the course of the program - complete with pitch, prototype, business and marketing plans.

My only concern with this program is the lack of a proper LA campus and that their faculty's credentials pales in comparison to those at USC.

2. Syracuse University –MS in New Media Management http://newhouse.syr....te/overview.cfm

SU offers a masters degree in New Media Management through their School of Public Communications. This is also an intense, year-long education in the dual fields of management and communications. Classes include applied media research, competitive strategy, understanding financial statements, creating customer value and an overview of the film and television business. This course has been created by the communications and management schools at Syracuse University so the focus on traditional business concepts is greater than at the BU program which is more cutting edge.

Syracuse does not have the location advantage of the other two programs - From a networking perspective, I think I really ought to be on either of the coasts.

3. USC – MA in Communication Management (Entertainment Management Track) http://annenberg.usc...cus/EntMgt.aspx

The Master of Communication Management provides students with the skills to analyze complex business and communication problems; to enhance critical thinking, writing, presentation and oral advocacy skills; appreciate diverse perspectives and solutions; and design communication with a global perspective. The Entertainment Management track within the program examines the dynamic entertainment industry, which includes film, music and other interactive multimedia. This track focuses on the management side of broadcast and cable television, motion pictures and film, music, interactive multimedia, and other areas in the arts and entertainment.

Classes such as Emerging Communication Technologies where social, political, cultural, interpersonal and organizational issues related to emerging communication technologies are examined and Audience Analysis where fundamental principles of audience research and critiquing of existing methodologies are discussed as well as International Entertainment Marketplace which explores global influences in entertainment industries (including telecommunications and internet) including case analyses of specific organizations and geographic regions are of significant interest to me and tie in well with my career aspirations.

However, I fear that is program is too "entertainment" focused and does not concentrate as much on the new media side of things. It also does not have the entrepreneurial feel (especially in emerging media) that BU offers.

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While I am looking at all programs objectively, I would really like to get additional perspective on these three programs and recommendations if any.

Thanks,

V