Department of Communication

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Masters in Communication

The Master's program in communication has two major directions, the Thesis option (pre-Ph.D. track) and the Final Examination option (applied track). For either option the student selects one of the substantive areas in Communication as an emphasis, such as interpersonal communication, organizational communication, mediated communication, persuasion and social influence, or intercultural communication.

BOTH TRACKS IN THE M.A. PROGRAM are designed to assist students in improving their ability to:

• Identify the key communication variables which affect a person's performance either in an organization where they have worked or one in which they expect to work after their program is completed.

•Develop communication strategies for coping with specific communication problems which exist in the student's job.

• Identify communication variables which influence the relationship between their organization and the larger community.

•Demonstrate an ability to apply information from coursework to the development of communication strategies.

•Synthesize results from research on any question.

IN SUM, the pre-Ph.D. track is designed to prepare students to compete for entry into a Ph.D. program in communication. The career oriented M.A. track is designed to meet the needs of a person who finds that (a) their ability to communicate, and/or (b) their ability to develop and implement appropriate communication strategies, are critical to their professional performance. Students come from middle management in diverse fields, such as secondary schools, community colleges, and various change agencies.

The Faculty

The COM masters program features outstanding faculty who are prolific researchers and effective advisors (Meet the Faculty).

Admission Requirements

The department recommends that all persons seeking admission to the master's degree 1) have a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in the last 2 years of their undergraduate degree and 2) The GRE General Test is required, and 3) for international applicants, TOEFL scores (please see application materials for further information on minimum test scores).

Application Procedures

For admission to the master's program in communication the deadline for receipt of all application materials is April 1 for fall semester (Fall admission only).

Funding

There are a limited number of Incentive Fellowships available for outstanding applicants to the MA program.

Degree Requirements

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the master's degree in Communication. The student must complete the requirements for one of the following degree options available:

Thesis Option

Final Certifying Examination Option

Downloads

Masters Handbook

Masters Program Forms- For use when accepted into the program; not interactive; please print, complete by hand, and then take to your committee for approval/signatures.

Additional information about the Master of Arts program in Communication may be obtained from: