2012-2013 University Catalog

Communication, MA

Banner Code: LA-MA-COM

The master of arts in communication examines the powerful role played by communication practices in contemporary society. Students may choose to specialize in strategic communication/public relations or health communication or pursue a concentration in science communication. They may also choose an individualized specialization in communication studies according to their interests.

This program of study is offered by the Department of Communication .

For policies governing all graduate degrees, see the Academic Policies chapter of the catalog.

Application Requirements

Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in the Admission chapter of this catalog. For information specific to the MA in communication, see Application Requirements and Deadlines on the departmental web site.

Admission to the graduate program in communication is competitive.

Degree Requirements

All students follow the same general program structure. All students must take the three program core courses, two theory courses, one practicum course, and five specialization courses, which may include a thesis. Students must select a specialization (Strategic Communication/Public Relations, Health Communication, or Individualized Communication Studies) or concentration (Science Communication); specific requirements are described below. Because it is a narrow specialized area, science communication is subject to the stricter requirements of a concentration.

General Program Requirements (18-21 credits)

Three core courses (9 credits)

COMM 600 - Introduction to Graduate Studies Credits: 3
COMM 650 - Research Methodologies in Communication Credits: 3
COMM 798 - Communication Studies Project Credits: 3

Two theory courses (6 credits) chosen from:

COMM 602 - Theories and Research of Mass Communication Credits: 3
COMM 605 - Intercultural Communication Credits: 3
COMM 620 - Health Communication Credits: 3
COMM 630 - Theories of Public Relations Credits: 3
COMM 634 - Theories of Interpersonal Communication Credits: 3
COMM 635 - Organizational Communication Credits: 3
COMM 639 - Science Communication Credits: 3 (required for Science Communication concentration)
COMM 642 - Science and the Public Credits: 3 (required for Science Communication concentration)
COMM 706 - Strategic Communication Credits: 3

One practicum course (3 credits) chosen from:

Other courses including special topics (590 or 690) and independent study, can be used to fulfill this requirement with prior written approval of the director of graduate studies.

COMM 604 - Communication Research Practicum Credits: 3
COMM 636 - Communication Consulting Credits: 3
COMM 653 - Graduate Communication: Research and Teaching Credits: 3
COMM 655 - Theories of Visual Communication in Telecommunications Credits: 3
COMM 660 - Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns Credits: 3
COMM 670 - Social Marketing Credits: 3
COMM 694 - Communication Internship Credits: 3
COMM 697 - Independent Production Credits: 1-3
COMM 721 - E-Health Communication Credits: 3
COMM 820 - Health Communication Campaigns Credits: 3

Optional Thesis (3 credits)

Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and once enrolled in COMM 799, maintain continuous enrollment.

Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of concentration or specialization courses.

Specializations or Concentration (12 or 15 credits)

Students complete the degree by completing additional coursework in one of the specializations or in the concentration.

Strategic Communication/Public Relations specialization

Students must complete an additional 12-15 credits toward the degree. The specialization in strategic communication/public relations requires a minimum of two courses from the list below. A course taken as a part of the general program cannot be duplicated, but it can count as a course required for the specialization. Additional credit may be met by any graduate COMM coursework.

COMM 590 - Seminar in Communication Credits: 3 (when topic is strategic communication, as approved by program director)
COMM 602 - Theories and Research of Mass Communication Credits: 3
COMM 615 - Political Communication Credits: 3
COMM 630 - Theories of Public Relations Credits: 3
COMM 636 - Communication Consulting Credits: 3
COMM 637 - Risk Communication Credits: 3
COMM 660 - Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns Credits: 3
COMM 670 - Social Marketing Credits: 3
COMM 690 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 3 (when topic is strategic communication, as approved by program director)
COMM 706 - Strategic Communication Credits: 3
COMM 735 - Crisis Communication Credits: 3
COMM 806 - International Public Relations Credits: 3
COMM 820 - Health Communication Campaigns Credits: 3
COMM 890 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 3 (when topic is strategic communication, as approved by program director)

Health Communication Specialization

Students must complete an additional 12-15 credits toward the degree. The specialization in health communication requires a minimum of two courses from the list below. A course taken as a part of the general program cannot be duplicated, but it can count as a course required for the specialization. Additional credit may be met by any graduate COMM coursework.

COMM 590 - Seminar in Communication Credits: 3 (when topic is health communication as approved by program director)
COMM 620 - Health Communication Credits: 3
COMM 690 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 3 (when topic is health communication as approved by program director)
COMM 705 - Intercultural Health and Risk Communication Credits: 3
COMM 720 - Consumer-Provider Health Communication Credits: 3
COMM 721 - E-Health Communication Credits: 3
COMM 820 - Health Communication Campaigns Credits: 3
COMM 890 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 3 (when topic is health communication as approved by program director)

Individualized Communication Studies specialization

Students design a program of courses to reflect their interests in consultation with their advisor. Students may select special topics courses (590, 690, or 890) as approved by program director.

COMM 590 - Seminar in Communication Credits: 3
COMM 690 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 3
COMM 890 - Special Topics in Communication Credits: 3

▲ Science Communication Concentration (SCMN)

COMM 639 and COMM 642 are required theory courses for the concentration.
COMM 641 - Communication Competencies for Scientists Credits: 3
is the required practicum course for students in the concentration.

Required (3 credits)

COMM 640 - Controversies in Science Communication Credits: 3
or
COMM 644 - Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism Credits: 3

Electives (9-12 credits)

At least one science-related course (3 credits) outside the department. Course(s) must be chosen from graduate courses in science, social science or science policy for which students are qualified and which have been approved by the program director.
The remaining courses in the concentration must be other graduate-level COMM courses, to include the optional thesis.

Total: 12-15 credits

Total: 33 credits

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