Program Overview

Master of Arts in Communication

The Master of Arts in Communication program offers a supportive and collegial environment, providing mentorship from peers and faculty, as well as professional development opportunities. The program prepares students for high-level careers by developing critical reasoning and advanced research and analytical skills, applicable in academia, the public sector, civil society, or industry.

Program Options

Students can choose from three program options:

• Coursework: Offers intensive study across a range of classical and current topics and subjects in communication.
• Research Essay: Involves a smaller-scale project, similar to the Thesis program, but with independent work.
• Thesis: Culminates in a final defense of the project, suitable for students who want to undertake primary research.

Each program takes approximately two years to complete.

Specializations

The MA in Communication can be taken with a specialization in:

• Data Science
• African Studies
• Climate Change
• Latin American and Caribbean Studies These specializations offer tailored content for students who want to focus on a particular field and collaborate with departments outside of Communication.

Funding and Scholarships

Top-ranked domestic candidates are offered generous financial support from Carleton University. MA students have access to:

• Teaching assistantships (TA)
• Research assistantships (RA)
• Funding through Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS), Ontario Graduate Scholarships (OGS), and Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) fellowships
• Internal awards, including Donor-Funded Awards and Graduate Student Travel/Research Bursaries

The department also awards the following endowments:

• Sons of Maxwell: Awarded annually to one undergraduate and one graduate student in financial need who demonstrates strong academic achievement and community service.
• Rogers: Awarded annually to an outstanding MA student.

Admissions

The program admits between 15 and 20 new students each year on a competitive basis. The application requires:

• Contact details for two academic referees
• A 2-5 page statement of intent, outlining research interests and goals
• A current curriculum vitae (CV/Resumé)
• A sample of written work (usually a senior undergraduate essay)
• Academic transcripts

International Students

Carleton University welcomes applications from strong international students to the graduate programs. However, funding opportunities for international applicants are limited.