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 Admissions section 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 pursuing the MA in communication follow the same general program structure whether completing the degree with a concentration or specialization. Students complete three program core courses, two theory courses, one practicum course, two specialization or concentration courses, and three elective courses (or 9 credits), of which 3 credits may be thesis.
Students must choose from one area of specialization (strategic communication/public relations, health communication, or individualized communication studies) or the Concentration in 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.
Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in the Academic Policies section of the 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.