Communication M.A.

The Master of Arts in Communication focuses instruction in two areas: journalism and speech communication. This course of study is designed to 1) prepare students for matriculation to doctoral programs in communication, 2) train degree recipients for teaching responsibilities at the junior college level, and/or 3) provide professional competencies for private and public sector employment.

Master of Arts in Communication--Total Semester Hours=36

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study, the requirements for admission to the communication program are as follows:

1. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university.
2. A satisfactory score on the General Test (verbal, quantitative, and analytical) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE should be completed prior to the conclusion of the first long semester of enrollment.
3. A minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4 point scale on all upper-division course work.
4. Two favorable letters of recommendation.
5. Additional consideration for admission will be based upon the applicant’s demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, involvement and level of responsibility in non-academic matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, and socioeconomic background.
6. Students who do not have a journalism or speech communication major or minor in their undergraduate studies may be required to take leveling courses as determined by the communication graduate faculty.

Degree Requirements

All candidates for the Master of Arts degree in communication must meet the following requirements:

1. Completion of a minimum of 36 hours of graduate credit with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 in all course work applied towards the degree.
2. No more than six semester hours in independent study courses may be applied to this degree.
3. A grade of “B” or better in each core course.
4. Satisfactory performance on a comprehensive written and/or oral examination, to be taken during the student’s last semester of enrollment, over the work covered in his or her degree program (see specific requirements of thesis and non-thesis options below).
5. Students choosing the thesis option must submit a standard master’s quality thesis involving original research and satisfactorily defend the thesis. Students choosing the thesis option must complete 30 hours of coursework and COMM 5395 Thesis I and COMM 5396 Thesis II.
6. Students choosing the non-thesis option must complete 36 hours of coursework and satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination over coursework taken.