Communication Studies, M.A.

Degree Requirements

• Credit Hours: Students are required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours in Communication Studies at the 400 level or above. A maximum of 6 credits may be taken at the 500 level or above from outside the department.

• Grade Point Average: Students must earn a minimum overall GPA of 2.75, and of 3.00 in coursework applied to their graduate program, with a minimum grade of B- in all courses applied to the degree requirements.
• Area of Emphasis: Students must select one of three area of emphasis: Communication in Instruction, Corporate and Organizational Communication, Communication Theory and Research.
• Graduation Requirement: Student requirements vary based on the Area of Emphasis (AOE) chosen. Students in the Communication Theory & Research AOE take a comprehensive written or oral examination, or write a Master's Thesis. Students in the Communication in Instruction AOE and Corporate & Organizational Communication AOE are not required to take comprehensive examinations.

Curriculum Requirements

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
COURSEWORK:		18
Select any COMM courses 400 level or above. *
AREA OF EMPHASIS:		12
Select one:
Communication in Instruction
Corporate and Organizational Communication
Theory and Research
Total Hours		30

*

A maximum of 6 credits may be taken at the 500 level or above from outside the department. Excluded courses include those applied to the Area of Emphasis and COMM 697 and COMM 797
 

Students can earn a maximum of 12 credits at the 400 level for this degree program.  The 12 credit limit is cumulative across both COURSEWORK and AREA OF EMPHASIS. 

Areas of Emphasis Offered:

• Communication Theory & Research
• Corporate & Organizational Communication

Communication Theory & Research Area of Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CORE COURSES:		6
COMM 700	Survey of Human Communication Theory
COMM 701	Graduate Research Methods
COMPLETION REQUIREMENT:		6
Thesis Option:
COMM 697	Research
Non-Thesis Option:
Any COMM course at the 400 level or above. *
Total Hours		12

*

Excluding COMM 697, COMM 797, or any course applied to other parts of the Master's program.

 

Corporate & Organizational Communication Area of Emphasis

Course List

Code	Title	Hours
CORE COURSES:		6
COMM 650	Applied Communication Theory
COMM 660	Communication in the Organization
ELECTIVES:		6
Any COMM courses at the 400 level or above *
Total Hours		12

*

Excluding COMM 697, COMM 797, or any course applied to other parts of the Master's program.

Major Learning Outcomes

Communication Studies

Students earning a M.A. in Communication Studies will be able to:

1. acquire a general understanding of Communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts
2. identify, analyze, and critique Communication-related problems using Communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts, and prescribe Communication-based solutions to these problems
3. design, conduct, and interpret original Communication-based research
4. propose ways in which Communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts can enhance personal, social, and professional relationships
5. develop the ability to encode and decode messages effectively across communication contexts