Program Overview

Communication MA

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a baccalaureate in communication or a related discipline by the end of the semester in which they apply. The minimum cumulative GPA required for regular admission to the graduate program in communication is 3.25 on a 4-point scale. In addition, three letters of recommendation, at least two of which address the applicant's potential to succeed in graduate studies in communication, are also required. Finally, international students who are non-native speakers of English must obtain a TOEFL iBT score of 100 to be considered for admission. Applicants with GPAs that do not meet the admission criterion may elect to submit other materials, such as scores on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), to offset these deficiencies.

Degree Requirements

The MA in Communication requires either 30 or 36 credit hours of coursework, depending on the exit project. Candidates approved for a thesis or internship will complete at least 30 semester hours of approved study, at least 21 of which must be taken in courses offered by the department. Candidates completing the non-thesis, non-internship option must complete 36 semester hours of approved study, 27 of which must be taken in courses offered by the department. However, students who choose this option may be eligible to waive up to 6 hours if justified by prior coursework or professional experience.

Core Requirements

All students complete a 15 credit-hour core. This includes two required courses focusing on the fundamental theories and basic research methods within the field. To complete the core, students will select at least three of four "applications" courses dealing with communication processes within a particular context.

• Required Courses:
  • COMM 6500: Seminar in Communication Theory (3 credits)
  • COMM 6510: Advanced Communication Research Methods I (3 credits)
• Choose three of the following four applications courses:
  • COMM 6600: Seminar in Strategic Communication in Organizations
  • COMM 6630: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
  • COMM 6700: Seminar in Mass Communication
  • COMM 6800: Seminar in Health Communication
• Total Hours: 15

Exit Project

Students who choose the internship or thesis option must identify a prospective committee, including a chairperson and two additional committee members, who will consult in development of an appropriate exit project. The expectation for each internship varies by project and committee, but submission of an essay in which the coursework and internship experiences are integrated is typically required. Internship exit projects and theses must be approved by the student’s committee and assigned a grade by the advisor. Students who complete a thesis or internship must complete no less than a 3 hour internship or 6 credit hour thesis.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:

• Interpret and evaluate academic and industry-oriented research reports and findings.
• Evaluate and use scientific research and tested models of communication processes to identify, develop, and implement plans to achieve specific communication goals and apply them to real-world settings.
• Produce effective messages and select appropriate channels to achieve specific outcomes within complex work environments.
• Evaluate the implications of communication processes and develop messages and strategies that are consistent with ethical principles.