The Master of Arts in Communication and Media offers students advanced study in communication and media theory and practice. The MA offers students the flexibility to advance into a professional career, or pursue an academic career or Ph.D. program.
Program Requirements
Common Core
An introduction to the communication field focusing on theory construction and the function of communication theory/models in the human experience. Contemporary theories of communication will be reviewed.
Prerequisites:
none
This course introduces students to the best practices for being a graduate student in Communication and Media through introducing both discipline-specific and university resources, engaging scholarship conventions and applications, integrating best practices for academic integrity and DEI, and developing a plan of study. The class will equip students with the tools and information they need to complete the program and further grad studies successfully.
Prerequisites:
none
Open only to teaching assistants of basic course in Communication Studies. Covers course design, course evaluation, methodologies for skill development, and related topics.
Prerequisites:
none
* COMM 603 is required for graduate teaching assistants (GTAs).
Research/Methods Course(s)
This course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate qualitative research as it appears in scholarly writing and to perform qualitative research in the academic or organizational context with the rigor appropriate to that context.
Prerequisites:
none
his course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate quantitative research as it appears in scholarly writing and to perform quantitative research in the academic or organizational context with the rigor appropriate to that context.
Prerequisites:
none
Unrestricted Electives
* Electives and Capstone must add up to 24 credits.
Required for all graduate students in the Department of Communication Studies. Surveys traditional pedagogoical theories as well as critical pedagagical theories as they pertain to teaching communication courses.
Prerequisites:
none
Choose 18 - 21 Credit(s).
Prerequisites:
none
* COMM 602 is required for graduate teaching assistants (GTAs); optional elective otherwise. * A maximum of 6 credits from outside COMM may be applied with approval of the Graduate Studies Coordinator.
Capstone Course
Choose 3 - 6 Credit(s).
Review and interpretation of a body of research.
Prerequisites:
none
Provides first-hand experience in applying communication theories in the workplace under the direction of an on-site supervisor.
Prerequisites:
none
Original research which meets accepted research standards.
Prerequisites:
none
* Choose a Capstone option, in consultation with your advisor, that best suits your professional goals. Students completing an internship or APP must register for a minimum of 3 credits. Students completing a thesis must register for 6 credits.
Degree Plan
The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan. * Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 9 Credits
This course introduces students to the best practices for being a graduate student in Communication and Media through introducing both discipline-specific and university resources, engaging scholarship conventions and applications, integrating best practices for academic integrity and DEI, and developing a plan of study. The class will equip students with the tools and information they need to complete the program and further grad studies successfully.
Prerequisites:
none
Required for all graduate students in the Department of Communication Studies. Surveys traditional pedagogoical theories as well as critical pedagagical theories as they pertain to teaching communication courses.
Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Spring - 9 Credits
An introduction to the communication field focusing on theory construction and the function of communication theory/models in the human experience. Contemporary theories of communication will be reviewed.
Prerequisites:
none
his course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate quantitative research as it appears in scholarly writing and to perform quantitative research in the academic or organizational context with the rigor appropriate to that context.
Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Second Year
Fall - 9 Credits
This course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate qualitative research as it appears in scholarly writing and to perform qualitative research in the academic or organizational context with the rigor appropriate to that context.
Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Spring - 9 Credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Capstone Course *3 credits
Policies
Admission:
In addition to completing the minimum requirements for the College of Graduate Studies and Research, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better in overall undergraduate studies and a 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work.
In addition to providing the materials required by the College of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants must submit all of the following materials in order to be considered for admission to the program:
a statement of personal, educational, and professional goals;
three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge your academic competence in communication;
and an original, sole-authored writing sample demonstrating research, sound analysis, organization, and evidence.
Probationary status may be provided for applicants with an undergraduate degree whose GPA is below admission standards under the following conditions: Acceptable performance on the GRE and/or acceptance of a student petition and contingency of adherence to contract terms formulated by graduate faculty.
International applicants are required to have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
Credit Limits:
A maximum of six (6) combined credits from COMM 677-Individual Study and COMM 697-Internship may be applied toward completion of the degree. The limit may be waived with the consent of the graduate coordinator.
A maximum of six (6) graduate credits from "Speech-Debate" courses may be applied toward satisfactory completion of the degree. The limit may be waived with the consent of a student's graduate coordinator.
Internship Credit Requirements:
In compliance with federal curricular policy, standard expectations are 45 hours of on-site internship experience for each credit hour earned.
