Communication

Communication, M.A.

The M.A. in communication offers students a solid preparation for working in a professional environment where effective communication is key to success. Students designate specific areas of interest and explore links among theory, application, and community.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the Application for Graduate Study and supporting materials required by the university, applicants should present the following:

1. 3 letters of recommendation from a person directly knowledgeable with the applicant's professional and academic competence (at least one from an academic source)

2. Scores on the Graduate Record Examination or Miller's Analogy

3. A 500-word essay addressing the area of communication in which the applicant is interested

4. A GPA of 3.000 or better in the last 60 credits of their bachelor's degree

Students admitted provisionally must achieve a 3.250 GPA in the first 12 credits of graduate course work. If they fail to do so, they will be terminated from the program.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the degree must successfully complete 33 credits of graduate course work, distributed as follows.

1. 5 required core courses (15 credits): COMM 504, 605, 634, 635, and 650

2. 4­5 electives (12­15 credits) chosen from COMM 506, 530, 551, 590, 601, 602, 631, 636, 652, 653, 655, 656; and 694, 696, or 697 (students may apply only one of these courses toward their degree)

3. 3 credit capstone course COMM 798 or 3­6 credits of thesis COMM 799

Up to 6 credits of electives may be taken in other departments, with approval of advisor.

The Department of Communication coordinates the concentration in Video-Based Production within the Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (M.A.I.S).