Studies toward the Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations require 40 units of prescribed courses and approved electives in the student's field of study. Students may take, with prior approval, two of their electives outside the school. No more than 12 units of 400-level course work may be applied toward the Master of Arts in Strategic Public Relations. MA in Strategic Public Relations students have the option of completing a master's thesis or taking a comprehensive exam. The thesis option takes two forms: (1) a professional project presenting the results of an extensive public relations project completed by the student, or (2) a research thesis presenting the results of primary research undertaken by the student. In either case, students must establish a guidance committee of three faculty members. The chair must be a full-time faculty member in the School of Journalism. The second member will usually be a full-time Journalism faculty member but may be a person connected with USC in other positions who has specific knowledge of the student's topic. In the latter case, the chair of the committee will submit for the director's approval a detailed presentation of the qualifications of the proposed committee member that justify his or her inclusion. In exceptional circumstances, this committee member may come from outside USC. A detailed presentation of qualifications will be required. The third committee member should be a full-time USC faculty member from outside the School of Journalism. The committee is ultimately subject to the approval of the school dean.