Graduate Certificate Program in Audience Research

The Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication has launched a new Graduate Certificate Program in Audience Research.  The program will prepare people to work in the fast-growing field of audience and marketing research for media, advertising and public relations companies.

Individuals interested in working in audience research will complete a masters or doctoral degree in one of the four subject areas offered by the Grady College: Telecommunications, Journalism, Advertising, or Public Relations.  The Certificate in Audience Research is earned by taking specific courses from the choices offered during the graduate program, a capstone course in Audience Research, and by completing either an internship in Audience Research or a final audience research project.

The Grady College’s Graduate Certificate Program in Audience Research is the first in the nation to combine a graduate degree with specialized study that prepares people for careers in media industry research.  The program was developed in conjunction with media industry research professionals concerned about the number of people entering their field without formal research and methodological training.  In the early 1990s, leaders in the media industry research profession began trying to develop standards for the profession.  A central focus of their initiative was to partner with a university to develop a program that would better prepare people to become audience research specialists.

The Grady College became involved in that initiative several years ago.  The Graduate Certificate Program in Audience Research emerged from that initiative.

The College anticipates that those graduating with the Certificate will find jobs with audience research and marketing research companies, as well as in positions such as research analyst or research director for television and radio stations, newspapers, magazine publishing companies, and film, entertainment and new technology organizations.

Faherty Laboratory Coordinator Dr. Ann Hollifield and Associate Dean Dr. Alison Alexander have been instrumental in developing the new Certificate Program.   The Graduate Certificate in Audience Research is seen as an integral part of the Grady College’s graduate programs in Media Management and Economics because of the central role that market research plays in media management decision making.

For more information on the Graduate Certificate in Audience Research or on graduate program in Media Management and Economics in the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Communication, contact Dr. Ann Hollifield, annholli@uga.edu.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

Faculty of the Media Industry Research Certificate Board of Directors

Graduate Studies at Grady College