Program Overview
Communication, M.A.
The masters program in communication at Saint Louis University is a generalist program designed to teach students to be conscientious thinkers and leaders who communicate effectively in a diverse world and who understand the social implications of media and communication technology.
Overview
Through their coursework, students develop fluency in communication theory that can be used to solve practical problems. Students learn to ask thoughtful questions and find engaging answers by building the skill sets necessary to develop research protocols, evaluate messages, analyze data, and share these findings with various stakeholders.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the program will be able to:
- Communicate effective messages for scholarly and public audiences.
- Conduct and evaluate communication research.
- Apply communication theories to address problems in a broader context.
- Demonstrate intercultural communication competence.
- Apply theories and/or practices of social justice and civic engagement.
- Analyze the ethical implications of communication and apply ethical principles.
Requirements
The program requires 30 credits of coursework. There are three required courses:
- CMM 5000: Graduate Study of Communication
- CMM 5801: Quantitative Research Methods for Communication
- CMM 5802: Qualitative Inquiry for Communication and Social Justice
Degree Completion Options
Students can choose from three degree completion options:
- Comprehensive exams: Students complete 30 credits of coursework and take their comprehensive exams in their final semester.
- Applied projects: Students complete 27 credits of coursework and register for Applied Project (CMM 5890) in their final semester, contingent on a successful oral defense of their applied project proposal in their second-to-last semester.
- Theses: Students complete 24 credits of coursework and six hours of Thesis Research (CMM 5990). The six hours of Thesis Research (CMM 5990) may be taken in the final semester or divided between the third and fourth semesters.
Curriculum Overview
A course in each of the following areas is typically offered at least once in each two-year coursework rotation cycle:
- Health communication
- Intercultural communication
- Interpersonal communication
- Organizational communication
- Media studies
- Rhetoric and public dialogue
- Social justice communication
- Strategic communication
Admission Requirements
- An undergraduate communication degree or a degree in a related discipline with possible prerequisites in communication research is required.
- There is no minimum GPA requirement. Successful applicants typically have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above.
- GRE scores are not required but may be submitted to strengthen an application.
Application Requirements
- Application form
- Three letters of recommendation
- Transcript(s)
- Résumé
- Statement of purpose
- Writing sample
Statement of Purpose
The statement of purpose should be about 400-600 words in length and articulate why a candidate wants to pursue an M.A. in communication, why the candidate is particularly interested in the M.A. program at Saint Louis University, as well as the candidates goals for study in the program.
Writing Sample
Applicants should submit a writing sample that demonstrates their best academic work, particularly in terms of research capacity and critical-thinking skills.
Requirements for International Students
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received.
Tuition
Tuition per credit: $1,400
Scholarships, Assistantships, and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
Program Notes
Students may complete no more than a total of nine credits of the following options:
- Up to six credits of graduate courses outside of communication
- Up to six credits of 4000-level communication courses
- Up to three credits of Graduate Independent Study in Communication (CMM 5980)
Each of the three degree completion options (thesis, applied project, comprehensive exam) requires a final oral examination. Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.