Master's in Four is a research communication competition that aims to help master's students develop academic, presentation, and research communication skills. Moreover, it supports the development of students' capacities to effectively explain their research in language appropriate to an intelligent but non-specialist audience.
Currently enrolled Master's students who have earned 18 hours of graduate coursework toward the degree may compete in the Master's in Four Competition during which they have four minutes, and four slides, for them to explain their research to a diverse audience.
Monetary prizes: 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners are selected by judges while the "People's Choice" winner is selected by the audience's vote.
Congratulate the 2023 Master's in Four Finalists!
The Master's in Four Finalists shown below are eligible for one of three awards: 1st Place ($1,000), 2nd Place ($750), 3rd Place ($500) and People’s Choice ($250) selected by the audience. Come out and support them as they present on their exciting research topics below.
Dennis Ssekimpi
Civil & Environmental Engineering
"Isolation and Characterization of Bacteria for 1,4-dioxane Biodegradation"
Amy Socha
Anthropology
"A Geoarchaeological Analysis of the Site Formation Processes at Brown Hole and WR-1"
TaNica Holmes
Art Education
"Daddies Cry too: A cumulative collage process to explore fathers’ lived experiences of paternal postpartum depression: phenomenological arts-informed study"
Bryttanie Underwood
Special Education
"The Effects of Self-Monitoring on the Reading Comprehension of a Third Grader Exhibiting Challenging Behavior"
Currently enrolled master's students with at least 18 hours of graduate coursework earned toward the degree.
Doctoral students are not eligible.
- 1st place: $1,000
- 2nd place: $750
- 3rd place: $500
- People's Choice: $250
- Four minute time limit to present on topic.
- A maximum of four slides that have no animation, embedded video, audio, or movement of any kind.
- A solo, non-technical oral description of the student's research or creative endeavors.
- No props, notes or costumes are allowed.
- A maximum of 16 points may be earned.
- The following will be rated by the judges:
- Opening/hook captures the audience's attention
- Strength of the introduction
- Organized, evidence-based body
- Presentation of topic is appropriate for a non-expert audience
- Presenter demonstrates a strong personal interest
- Conclusion summarizes the main points
- Delivery is well-prepared and presented with confidence
- Slides enhance the presentation
Master's in Four Recording/Editing Links
- OpenShot Editing Video
- Kapwing Website
- Workshop Recording of Kapwing Editor: this video is a demonstration of the software
- Kapwing Tutorial
- FSU Canvas Support Center Tutorial: Best Practices for Student Video Production (iMovie and Movie Maker)
- Vimeo Website
Past Master's in Four Competitions
Spring 2022 Master's in Four
Vincenzo Olivett (Social Psychology) took home the first prize in this year Master's in Four competition
Read more.
Spring 2021 Master's in Four
Judges selected Guanxiong Qi (Religion) as this year’s first-place winner.
Read more.
Spring 2020 Master's in Four
Judges selected Jay Pension (Theater) as this year’s first-place winner.
Read more.
Spring 2019 Master's in Four
Master’s student Jason Cassel took home the top prize during the inaugural Master’s In Four competition
Read more.