SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION MASTER'S PROGRAM

Courses

Program Requirement

A Master of Arts in Communication requires successful completion of 36 graduate credit hours. Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA to remain in the program and to graduate.

Currently, the School of Communication embraces a cohort system in our graduate program. A cohort is defined as a group of students who begin a program of study together, proceed together through a series of developmental experiences in the context of that program of study, and end the program at approximately the same time (Saltiel & Russo, 2001). First year classes are foundational and preparatory for subsequent courses in students' primary area of study. Cohorts offer a stimulating and intellectually challenging environment, while promoting a sense of community. Research shows that students who participate in a cohort-based program have higher graduation rates, a greater understanding of their academic domain, and the ability to better plan their degrees, due to the structured order of courses.

Core Courses: 12 credits

COMM:600 Introduction to Graduate Study in Communication (3 credits)
Two Methods Courses (6 credits – select 2)
- COMM:542 Social Media Metrics and Analytics
- COMM:601 Mixed Methods of Communication Research
- COMM:602 Qualitative Methods in Communication
- COMM:603 Quantitative Methods in Communication
- COMM:670 Communication Criticism
One Theory Course (3 credits – select 1)
- COMM:571 Theories of Rhetoric
- COMM:623 Applied Communication Theory
- COMM:624 Survey of Communication Theory
- COMM:625 Theories of Mass Communication
- COMM:645 Intercultural Communication Theory

Elective Courses: 18-24 credits

Graduation Options: 0 or 6 credits

Thesis (6 credits)
Comprehensive Exam (0 credit)

Recent Elective Offering

Communication & Conflict
Intercultural Communication
Media Entrepreneurship
Organizational Communication
Health Communication
Risk Communication
Crisis Communication
Strategic Social Media

Thesis and comprehensive exam