Requirements for Our MA in Communication

OVERVIEW OF DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

COURSEWORK OPTION (36 HOURS)

36 semester credit hours of coursework. The final comprehensive examination will consist of a written and oral defense of the program. The Graduate Student Handbook contains other important and more detailed information regarding the program.

THESIS OPTION (30 HOURS)

24 semester credit hours of coursework and a thesis, for which 6 semester hours are given. The final comprehensive examination will consist of an oral defense of the thesis and an oral defense of the program.

Required Courses

All students in the program must take the following 3 courses:

  • COMM 5300 - Advanced Theories in Communication
  • COMM 5305 - Communication Research Methods
  • COMM 5306 - Qualitative Research Methods

Communication Electives

Thesis: select at least 9 hours from the following communication electives, and at least 9 hours from communication or other areas.

Non-thesis/Coursework Only: select at least 21 hours from the following communication electives and at least 9 hours from communication or other areas.

  • COMM 5307 Historical Research Methods in Communication
  • COMM 5310 Theories in Persuasion
  • COMM 5316 Corporate Communication Strategies
  • COMM 5320 Advanced Visual Communication
  • COMM 5321 Advanced Internet Marketing Communication
  • COMM 5323 Computer-Mediated Communication
  • COMM 5335 Advanced Professional Communication
  • COMM 5335 Global Communication
  • COMM 5341 Media Management
  • COMM 5345 Communication Campaigns
  • COMM 5346 Media and Public Policy
  • COMM 5347 Crisis Communication
  • COMM 5349 Communication in Virtual Organizations
  • COMM 5350 Health Communication
  • COMM 5351 Political Communication
  • COMM 5352 Social Media Theory and Practice
  • COMM 5353 Digital Media Data Analytics 
  • COMM 5392 Seminar (topic varies from semester to semester; may be repeated when topic changes)

Possible Outside Electives

  • MARK 5311 Marketing
  • MANA 5330 Negotiations & Conflict Management
  • MANA 5312 Managing the Enterprise
  • BCOM 5375 Advanced Business Communication Theory
  • MANA 5360 Leadership and Teams
  • SOCI 5341 Theory & Research Methods in Sociology
  • MANA 5332 Managing Diversity in Organizations 

In addition to the above, students may petition to take elective graduate courses in other departments; however, the student must file a formal request with the graduate advisor who will present the petition to the Graduate Studies Committee for approval.