 1.svg)
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
Duration
Details
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Public Relations | Media Studies | Communication Studies
Area of study
Social Sciences
Course Language
English
About Program
Program Overview
Communication, MA
Overview
The Master of Arts in Communication program at George Mason University is designed to provide students with a strong foundation in communication theory and research methods. Students can choose to specialize in one of five areas: strategic communication/public relations, health communication, media and culture, science, environment, and risk communication, or individualized communication studies.
Admissions
Applicants to the MA in Communication program must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified by Graduate Admissions. Admission to the graduate program in communication is competitive.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 33
- Two program core courses
- Two methods courses
- Two theory courses
- Two specialization courses
- At least three elective courses (or 9 credits), of which 3 credits may be thesis
Core Courses
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Studies | 3 |
| COMM 798 | Communication Studies Project (only 3 credits can apply to the degree) | 3 |
Methods Courses
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 650 | Intro to Research Methods in Communication (required course) | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| COMM 725 | Qualitative Methods | |
| COMM 750 | Quantitative Methods | |
| COMM 775 | Media Content Analysis | |
| Other graduate level methods course, taken in COMM or elsewhere, as approved by graduate director. |
Theory Courses
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two theory courses from the following: | 6 | |
| COMM 602 | Theories and Research of Mass Communication | |
| COMM 605 | Intercultural Communication | |
| COMM 615 | Political Communication | |
| COMM 620 | Health Communication | |
| COMM 630 | Theories of Public Relations | |
| COMM 632 | Persuasion Theory | |
| COMM 634 | Theories of Interpersonal Communication | |
| COMM 635 | Organizational Communication | |
| COMM 637 | Risk Communication | |
| COMM 639 | Science Communication | |
| COMM 642 | Science and the Public | |
| COMM 653 | Graduate Seminar in Instructional Communication | |
| COMM 660 | Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | |
| COMM 706 | Strategic Communication | |
| COMM 735 | Crisis Communication |
Specializations
Strategic Communications/Public Relations Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| COMM 590 | Seminar in Communication 1 | |
| COMM 602 | Theories and Research of Mass Communication | |
| COMM 615 | Political Communication | |
| COMM 630 | Theories of Public Relations | |
| COMM 632 | Persuasion Theory | |
| COMM 636 | Communication Consulting | |
| COMM 637 | Risk Communication | |
| COMM 642 | Science and the Public | |
| COMM 660 | Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | |
| COMM 670 | Social Marketing | |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics in Communication 1 | |
| COMM 696 | Directed Readings and Research | |
| COMM 706 | Strategic Communication | |
| COMM 716 | Global Public Relations Strategy and Practice | |
| COMM 735 | Crisis Communication | |
| COMM 820 | Health Communication Campaigns | |
| COMM 890 | Special Topics in Communication 1 | |
| Optional Thesis | 3 | |
| COMM 799 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Six to nine additional credits chosen from: | ||
| Courses from the list above | ||
| Any other graduate COMM courses | ||
| Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. |
Health Communication Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| COMM 590 | Seminar in Communication 1 | |
| COMM 620 | Health Communication | |
| COMM 632 | Persuasion Theory | |
| COMM 682 | Popular Culture and Health | |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics in Communication 1 | |
| COMM 696 | Directed Readings and Research | |
| COMM 705 | Intercultural Health and Risk Communication | |
| COMM 720 | Consumer-Provider Health Communication | |
| COMM 721 | E-Health Communication | |
| COMM 820 | Health Communication Campaigns | |
| COMM 890 | Special Topics in Communication 1 | |
| Optional Thesis | 3 | |
| COMM 799 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | ||
| Additional courses from the list above | ||
| Any other graduate COMM course | ||
| Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. |
Media and Culture Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| COMM 602 | Theories and Research of Mass Communication | |
| COMM 605 | Intercultural Communication | |
| COMM 615 | Political Communication | |
| COMM 632 | Persuasion Theory | |
| COMM 635 | Organizational Communication | |
| COMM 640 | The Issues of Science and Politics | |
| COMM 670 | Social Marketing | |
| COMM 682 | Popular Culture and Health | |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics in Communication (when topic is cancel culture in public and political communication) | |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics in Communication (when topic is gender, race and class in media) | |
| COMM 716 | Global Public Relations Strategy and Practice | |
| Optional Thesis | 3 | |
| COMM 799 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | ||
| Additional courses from the list above | ||
| Any other graduate COMM course | ||
| Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. |
Science, Environment, and Risk Communication Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| COMM 637 | Risk Communication | |
| COMM 639 | Science Communication | |
| COMM 640 | The Issues of Science and Politics | |
| COMM 641 | Environmental Communication | |
| COMM 642 | Science and the Public | |
| COMM 644 | Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism | |
| COMM 660 | Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | |
| COMM 696 | Directed Readings and Research | |
| Optional Thesis | 3 | |
| COMM 799 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | ||
| Additional courses from the list above | ||
| Any other graduate COMM course | ||
| Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. |
Individualized Communication Studies Specialization
| Course List Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Select from the following: | 6 | |
| COMM 590 | Seminar in Communication | |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics in Communication | |
| COMM 890 | Special Topics in Communication | |
| Optional Thesis | 3 | |
| COMM 799 | Master's Thesis | |
| Electives | 6-9 | |
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | ||
| Additional courses from the list above | ||
| Any other graduate COMM course | ||
| Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. |
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Communication, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MA in Communication in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 141 credits.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted to the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Completed at least one approved undergraduate Methods course COMM 400, COMM 490/COMM 491, or another methods course approved by the COMM BAM director.
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
- Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
- Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
Program Outcomes
- Communication Theory: Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the major theories that shape the field of communication, including historical developments and current trends.
- Communication Inquiry: Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of social scientific, rhetorical, and/or critical methods of communication research and inquiry.
- Application of Knowledge: Students will be able to apply communication theory and research in practical contexts to address communication problems, issues, or challenges.
- Communication Competence: Students will develop the ability to communicate complex concepts and findings clearly and persuasively in written projects.
- Apply Ethical Communication Principles: Students should be able to identify ethical perspectives in communication theory and research, and evaluate the ethical issues involved in a communication situation, including protections for research participants.
See More
