This panel will discuss the state of graduate education in mass media programs at a variety of universities. Research is a focus of any graduate program, but how much should graduate work focus on application and practical industry-related skills? What should we, as graduate educators, focus on in our Curriculum? What skill-sets do our students need to be successful post-graduation? Moderator: Patricia Williamson, Central Michigan University Panelists: Gregory Newton, Ohio University; Maintaining Our Balance: Curricular Choices in a Time of Change Kimberly Zarkin, Westminster College; Nice Article List, But can you teach a 4-4?: How graduate schools should (and shouldn't) prepare students for life at a teaching institution. Serena Carpenter, Arizona State University; Theoreticians or teachers: How to best prepare doctoral students for academic life. Carey Martin, Liberty University; Screenwriting, Research Writing and Teaching Grad Students the Difference. Patricia Williamson, Central Michigan University; The Role of Production and Applied Skills in a Mass Media Graduate Education Curriculum Trey Stohlman, Central Michigan University; Teacher to student: How earning a doctorate made me a better teacher