Communication

Telecommunications, M.A.

Because telecommunications is both a technological and a humanistic endeavor, the M.A. in Telecommunications is an interdisciplinary program that includes courses in engineering, law, management, education, and communication. The program is designed for telecommunications professionals, persons who wish to change careers and move into a telecommunications-related field, and others whose interests, talents, or curiosity bring them into contact with the world of telecommunications.

Admission Requirements

In addition to university requirements for admission to graduate study, applicants should submit the following:

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

2. Three letters of recommendation from persons directly knowledgeable of the applicant's professional and academic competence (one from an academic source)

3. A 500-word essay addressing an important, substantive issue in telecommunications

Degree Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits of approved graduate course work, including 15 credits of core courses and 15 credits in one of nine concentrations: educational technology; information systems; international telecommunications; management, organization, and policy; network technologies and applications; production theory and practice; telecommunications systems engineering; telecommunications systems modeling; and wireless communication.

1. Four courses (12 credits) chosen from the following

• COMM 655 Theories of Visual Communication in Telecommunications
• TCOM 500 Modern Telecommunications
• LAW 181 Telecommunications Law and Regulations
• PUBP 726 Telecommunications Policy
• TELE 730 Telecommunications Management

2. TELE 750 Coordinating Seminar (3 credits)

3. Fifteen credits in a concentration

Educational Technology

One required course (three credits): EDIT 611

Four electives (12 credits) chosen from: EDCI 705; EDIT 526, 704, 730, 732, 750, 752 or up to six credits from 571, 572, 573, 574, 575, 593, 771, 772

Information Systems

Three required courses (nine credits): INFS 501, INFS 515, INFS 590

Two electives(six credits) chosen from: INFS 601, 612, 614; ECE 542; SWSE 619, 632

International Telecommunications

One required course (three credits): COMM 656

Four electives (12 credits) chosen from: COMM 506, 554, 605; ITRN 500, 603, 604, 605, 612, 710, 711, 712, 716, 730, 731, 737, 750, 754, 757, 768, 769, 772; PUAD 504, 634, 636, 701, 731, 732, 739

Management, Organization, and Policy

One required course (three credits): TELE 730 (taken as one of the 4 core courses)

Five electives (15 credits) chosen from: COMM 506, 601; ECON 600, 602; LRNG 583, 714, 720; MBA 613, 623, 653, 663, 678, 711, 712, 724, 725, 732, 734, 736; PSYC 532; PUAD 505, 610, 620, 621, 634, 636, 732, 739; PUBP 775

Network Technologies and Applications (see concentration requirements under the M.S. in Telecommunications in the chapter of the school of information technology and engineering)

Production Theory and Practice

Two required courses (six credits): COMM 656, 655 (taken as one of the 4 core courses)

Four electives (12 credits) chosen from: COMM 506, 554, 602, 635, 636, 694, 696, 697; EDCI 705; EDIT 563, 564, 611, 704, 750; ENGL 503, 505, 613, 670; VIT 676; COMM 590 (when topic is approved for this concentration)

Telecommunications Systems

Two required courses (six credits): ECE 542, TCOM 500 (taken as one of the 4 core courses)

Four electives (12 credits) chosen from: CS 571; ECE 513, 528, 535, 546, 563, 565, 567, 630, 633, 642, 643

Advising

With guidance from a faculty advisor, students choose from a wide variety of courses available at the university to tailor course work to their particular interests and needs. Choice of an area of concentration also depends on the student's undergraduate preparation. A student advising form, which outlines the student's degree plan and serves as a guide, should be completed and submitted by the student soon after admission to the program. For more information about the program, contact the Telecommunications Programs Office at (703) 993-1314.

Telecommunications Systems Modeling (see concentration requirements under the M.S. in Telecommunications in the chapter of the School of Information Technology and Engineering)

Wireless Communications (see concentration requirements under the M.S. in Telecommunications in the chapter of the school of information technology and engineering)