Empower Your Media Journey
Join BEA's Graduate Student Membership Today
BEA graduate student membership offers a range of opportunities that support academic growth, creative development, and career preparation. Members gain access to leading journals, research resources, and the chance to present at BEA’s annual convention, where they can share their work and connect with scholars in media and communication. Graduate students can also participate in workshops, panels, and mentorship programs focused on teaching strategies and career advancement. Additionally, BEA provides platforms like the Festival of Media Arts and research competitions to showcase scholarly and creative work, offering national recognition and helping build a strong academic and professional portfolio.
Key Benefits of Membership
Support for Research and Academic Growth
BEA graduate student membership offers access to a wealth of scholarly resources that support academic and professional development. Graduate students can engage with leading journals such as the Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media and Journal of Media Education, providing essential insights for research and teaching. Members are also encouraged to submit papers to BEA’s annual convention, where they can present their work, receive feedback, and connect with established scholars in media and communication studies.
Career Development and Teaching Resources
For graduate students preparing for careers in academia or media industries, BEA provides practical resources and guidance. Members can attend specialized panels and workshops focused on curriculum development, classroom strategies, and academic job preparation. The association’s mentorship opportunities also connect graduate students with experienced faculty and professionals who can offer valuable career advice and support as they transition from student to scholar or practitioner.
Creative and Scholarly Recognition
Graduate students also benefit from opportunities to showcase their creative and scholarly work through competitions like the Festival of Media Arts and various research paper contests. These platforms offer national recognition and can significantly enhance a graduate student’s CV. Participation not only boosts visibility in the field but also fosters confidence and community among emerging scholars and media creators.
Graduate Student Members must have an active interest in electronic media or other multimedia enterprises related to research and creative endeavors.
Please note that if you are employed part-time or full-time as a faculty member at a college or university while you are finishing your degree, you cannot join BEA as a Graduate Student Member.
All Memberships are based on the calendar year, January through December.
MEMBER BENIFITS INCLUDE:
•Access to BEA Connect – BEA’s members only community where faculty, students and industry partners can connect and share resources. In the “Discussions” section, BEA members can find the BEA Bookstore which recognizes and showcases the outstanding broadcasting and mass communication books and textbooks by BEA members and BEA’s Syllabus Exchange for members interested in sharing in classroom projects, course materials and the strengthening of curricula. NEW GRADUATE STUDENT JOB SEEKER’S SECTION – This group is for graduate students looking for jobs in academia. “Job Seekers” should post bios, links to work and CVs. To update your information, click on the upper right corner of the page, click on your name and “View my Profile” to update your information and add your bio, resume and LinkedIn information – anything you think would be helpful to a potential employer. Job Seekers joining this group should be willing to invite schools to connect with them.
•Join up to four of BEA’s 19 Interest Divisions, each offering newsletters, paper competitions with cash awards, and opportunities to communicate with students sharing similar interests.
• BEA’s Membership Directory is searchable by person, school and state – start your search and connect with students from other schools, Corporate Associate Members or State Broadcast Associations.
Publications/Subscriptions: BEA publishes three journals and you also have access to one additional journal from Taylor & Francis:
- Journal of Broadcasting & Electronic Media (JOBEM) – A quarterly, peer-reviewed publication. Members receive free on-line access and may receive a hard-copy of the journal for an additional $30 per year..
- Journal of Radio & Audio Media (JRAM) – A bi-annual, peer-reviewed publication – Members receive free on-line access and a hard-copy subscription is available for $14 each year and can be added to your membership.
- Journal of Media Education (JoME) – A quarterly & peer-reviewed publication (only available online).
- Taylor & Francis FREE journals – Free On-Line access to Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, Media History, Mass Communication and Society, & Visual Communication Quarterly
• This year BEA is awarding almost $30,000 in academic Scholarships for both full-time undergraduate and graduate students attending BEA institutional members.
• Job Board – Professional and Academic opportunities can be viewed in the BEA Classified section.
• Research & Creative Awards are available through Interest Division Paper Competitions, and the Festival of Media Arts Competitions
• E-Newsletters keep you posted on deadlines & events, training opportunities, grants, scholarships, conventions, equipment & software manufacturers, multimedia and publishing organizations.
• BEA’s Annual Convention has a special student member rate and includes comp registration to the annual NAB Show – co-located each year in Las Vegas, NV. You will also receive access to the NAB/BEA Career Fair that take place during the convention.