Graduate Program of Study

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies provides students with a social scientific approach to the study of human interaction, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods. Our curriculum is designed to explore how communication takes place interpersonally, within organizations and constituents, within our political system, and between and within cultures. All graduate students take courses in communication theory and research methods as well as interpersonal communication, organizational communication, political communication and/or cultural communication. We also offer courses in topic areas such as health communication, leadership, persuasion, nonverbal communication, and new communication technologies.

The program offers a wide variety of courses allowing students in the program an opportunity to select topics pursuant to their special interests. In addition to courses, students have the opportunity to obtain practical experience by participating in professional activities offered by the department; for example, graduate teaching assistantships, research, and colloquia.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

The department offers both thesis and non-thesis options in its Masters of Arts program. Both options call for a minimum of 36 credits, which includes not only Communication courses but courses from outside the department as well. The thesis option requires at least 30 credits of coursework, 3-6 credits of thesis (COMM 599), and an oral defense of the thesis and coursework. The non-thesis option requires 36 credits of coursework, plus a comprehensive written examination (8 hours minimum), followed by an oral defense. Both options require a minimum of 30 credit hours of Communication courses.

Graduate students are required to take COMM 505: Research Methods and COMM 583: Seminar in Theories of Communication their first year of enrollment. These two courses serve as a foundation for other coursework in Communication Studies. Students are also expected to take at least one other core content course their first year of enrollment.

Graduate students are allowed to take undergraduate courses listed at the 450-level or higher. However, the Graduate School only allows two courses at the undergraduate level to count toward the M.A. degree in Communication Studies.

Master’s Degree Program

         Both of the following courses are required (6 hours):

o      COMM 505            Research Methods*                                                               3 hrs

o      COMM 583            Seminar in Theories of Communication**                          3 hrs

            Three of the following four core content courses are required (9 hours):

o      COMM 540            Seminar in Political Communication**                                 3 hrs

o      COMM 570            Seminar in Organizational Communication*                      3 hrs

o      COMM 576            Seminar in Communication and Culture*                           3 hrs

o      COMM 584            Seminar in Interpersonal Communication**                       3 hrs

            COMM Electives                                                                                                                   9 - 12 hrs

            Electives in Related Fields*** (graduate levels; numbered 450+)                                 3 - 6 hrs

            Thesis Option: COMM 599 Thesis                                                                                     3 - 6 hrs

            Non-Thesis Option: Additional Graduate COMM Electives                                             3 - 6 hrs

* COMM 505, 570, & 576 are offered only once every year, usually in the Spring.                                                                    

**COMM 583, 540, and 584 are offered only once every year, usually in the Fall.                                                      

***Anthropology, Education, English, Government, Psychology, Journalism, Management, Marketing, Sociology, &/or Women’s Studies.