BECA Master's Program General Comments

WARNING TO ALL PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS:

As a recent Master's graduate of the BECA department I feel inclined to warn you about two things.

Grade Inflation - If you show up and turn in your homework you are virtually gauranteed an A or a B in most BECA graduate courses. Most professors feel too much pressure to give low marks to graduate students. It's very difficult to know where you stand in terms of knowledge and ability when professors are afraid to be critical of your work, though your G.P.A. may look great!

Employment - Unless you intend to pursue a Doctorate Degree in Communications, this program is probably NOT for you. While the BECA department hypes up your chances of finding employment upon graduation, the reality is that most graduates I know since 2000 are either still unemployed or waiting tables. While the BECA department does a great job connecting students with media companies seeking FREE LABOR, the chance of this translating into a job upon graduation is slim. Before entering the program ASK the BECA department if they keep any statistics on post-graduate employment rates and ASK other students. While the BECA staff is generally excellent, many are too far removed from the industry to give you much guidance regarding employment opportunities. If you are lucky enough to land an entry-level job in the industry, be warned that salaries are low (similar to teachers) and you will probably have to work TWO jobs to cover that extensive student loan bill, and whatever other living expenses you may have incurred while living in the ultra-expensive San Francisco Bay Area. If you are seeking opportunities for employment and career growth, I highly recommend a different program such as an M.B.A. or Accounting or Engineering. Earning a Master's Degree in BECA will most likely leave you either unemployed, working a low-wage job, or back to the same old lousy job you had before you entered the program. Getting good grades makes little or no difference.