Program Overview

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies is a graduate program that invites students into a life of scholarly inquiry and engaged citizenship with a focus on social justice. The program uses multiple approaches for the advanced study of communication processes to understand complex human problems and discern ethical choices in local and global communities.

Admission to Program

The requirements for admission are:

• An undergraduate major in communication
• A 3.0 or better upper division grade point average
• Scores on the General Graduate Record Examination
• Two letters of reference Applicants not meeting these criteria may be eligible for conditional admission.

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will:

1. Emphasize social justice and ethical perspectives by reading, evaluating, and synthesizing primary scholarship, applying and critiquing communication-focused theory and scholarship, and actively engaging in, reflecting upon, and analyzing communication processes in their local and/or global communities.
2. Apply, critique, and/or extend communication-focused theory and scholarship.
3. Actively engage in, reflect upon, and analyze communication processes in their local and/or global communities.

Written English Proficiency Requirement

Level One

Students must take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) analytical writing test prior to applying for admission to the program. Students who achieve a score of 4.0 or higher will have passed the first level graduate writing requirement.

Level Two

Satisfactory completion of a master's thesis or written comprehensive examination or a creative project.

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies requires a minimum of 35 units.

Core Requirements (8 units)

• COMM 700: Introduction to Graduate Study (4 units)
• Select one:
  • COMM 870: Multiple Methods in Communication Research (4 units)
  • COMM 872: Field Research Strategies (4 units)
  • COMM 873: Research Strategies in Language and Social Interaction (4 units)

Graduate Seminars (16 units)

Selected on advisement. Must be from COMM 700 to COMM 797.

Electives (8 units)

Selected on advisement.

Culminating Experience (3 units)

• COMM 894: Creative Work Project (3 units)
• COMM 896EXM & COMM 896: Culminating Experience Examination and Directed Readings in Communication Studies (3 units)
• COMM 898: Master's Thesis (3 units)

Master's Thesis or Creative Work Project

Each candidate who selects the option of a Master's Thesis or Creative Work Project must submit a written proposal for approval and complete the department's Description of Proposed Culminating Experience form.

Master's Written Comprehensive Examination

Each candidate who selects the option of Master's Written Comprehensive Examination must establish a three-member faculty committee and complete the department's Description of Proposed Culminating Experience form.