The Department of Communication offers a Master of Arts degree in communication studies.  Graduate course work is available in organizational communication, communication theory, mass communication, and rhetorical studies.  In consultation with faculty advisors, students may design programs of study that meet their individual needs and academic background. Members of the graduate faculty in the Department of Communication are accomplished teachers and distinguished scholars committed to high quality teaching as well as to research and publication.

M.A. graduates have continued their studies in Ph.D. programs at such schools as Purdue University,  University of Arizona, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas, Ohio State University, University of Kentucky,  Bowling Green State University, and University of Colorado.  Others have started or advanced their careers in business, education, government, and industry.  

Program A:  Non-Thesis Option

Students selecting Program A/Non-Thesis option must complete 12 courses or 36 credit hours.  A minimun of 24 credit hours must be from the Department of Communication.  Typically students take 30 - 36 credits within the department.  Students who choose Program A are required to complete the four core courses.  The four core courses include two research methods courses, Communication Theory & Models, and a course in mass communication or a course in organizational communication.  These core courses are identified below.  Students in Program A typically take the written comprehensive exam during their last semester of the program and are encouraged to complete a capstone project or independent study in their final semester of course work.

Program B:  Thesis Option

Students selecting Program B/Thesis Option complete 30-33 credit hours of course work.  At least 6 courses or 18 credit hours must be taken from within the Department of Communication. Students who select Program B are required to complete the four core courses.  The four core courses include two research methods courses, Communication Theory & Models, and a course in mass communication or a course in organizational communication.  These core courses are identified below.  Students pursuing the Thesis Option typically take the written comprehensive exam during their last semester of the program.  The thesis is an original research project designed in conjunction with the advisor and a committee of other faculty members.  The thesis be an original research investigation on some important question relevant to the study of communication.  Students must register for 3-6 hours of thesis credit (CMM 598 and/or CMM 599) if they are writing a thesis. 

Program C:  Communication/Interdisciplinary Option

Students electing the Interdisciplinary Option must complete a total of 12 courses or 36 semester hours of course work.  Eight of those courses or 24 credit hours must be completed within the department of communication.  The four remaining courses or 12 credit hours are taken in one of the following designated program:  psychology, English, political science or business administration.  Students who choose Program C are required to successfully complete the four core communication courses.  The four core courses include two research methods courses, Communication Theory & Models, and a course in mass communication or a course in organizational communication.  These core courses are identified below.   All students choosing Program C must take the comprehensive examination during their last semester of classes.  Students interested in the Interdisciplinary Option select an advisor from within the Department of Communication to help them design an appropriate interdisciplinary plan of study.  Students selecting the interdisciplinary option do not write a thesis.

Requirements

The department's M.A. program is based on the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit distributed as follows:

1.  At least 24 hours of credit must be taken within the Department of Communication.

2.  Up to 12 hours of credit may be scheduled outside the department.  These courses must be approved by your advisor.

3.  The four required core communication courses are:

CMM 501 - Communication Research Methods

CMM 503 - Communication Research Seminar or CMM 502 - Rhetorical Criticism  

CMM 536 - Communication Theory & Models

CMM 517 - Organizational Communication or  CMM 571 - Mass Communication Processes & Effects

4. Each master’s candidate writing the thesis must schedule a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 6 hours of thesis credit credits.

Demonstration of satisfactory progress toward the degree includes the requirement that students maintain a minimum average of B (3.00) in course work. Students who fail to meet this requirement are either placed on academic probation and can be dropped from the program.  Students are permitted no more than 2 courses or six hours with grades of C or lower. Students who fail to meet this requirement are dismissed from the program.  Please note:  It is your responsibility to know if you have 2 or more C's in graduate coursework.  If you are not sure, be sure to inquire before registering for additional classes.  This is of particular importance to students who have taken a grade of incomplete in one or more courses.  The office of graduate studies will make an effort to notify you by mail if you fall below the 3.0 GPA requirement.