M.A. Communication
Our graduate-level program in communication offers a diverse, flexible curriculum that prepares students to lead and/or advocate for others in multiple career and academic fields.
Description of program
Students take 33 credits of diverse, flexible curriculum preparing them to lead and/or advocate for others in a variety of settings. Students gain an understanding of theoretical approaches in the field of communication, develop research skills, create and critique messages in a variety of interpersonal and mediated contexts, and explore principles of ethical responsibility. The program prepares students to succeed in professional positions involving leadership and advocacy in both for-profit and not-for-profit organizations or for continued study in a Ph.D. program.
In addition, the program offers special topics courses in areas such as communication in health contexts, persuasion, creating communication campaigns, and the effects of and uses for media messages.
Foundation (9 credits)
• COMM 500 - Foundations of the Communication Discipline - (3 credits)
• COMM 575 - Communication Theory - (3 credits)
• COMM 576 - Graduate Communication Research - (3 credits)
Courses in Social Change and Leadership (12 credits)
• COMM 501 - Communication Leadership - (3 credits)
• COMM 502 - Communication Activism - (3 credits)
• COMM 519 - Communication & Media Campaigns - (3 credits)
• COMM 530 - Communication Across Differences - (3 credits)
Choose any two courses (6 credits)
• COMM 509 - Public Relations - (3 credits)
• COMM 511 - Communication in Health Contexts - (3 credits)
• COMM 531 - Communicating with Diverse and Targeted Audiences - (3 credits)
• COMM 540 - Media Uses and Effects - (3 credits)
• COMM 560 - Persuasion - (3 credits)
• Any additional COMM elective at the 500, 600 or 700 level
Capstone (6 credits)
• COMM 691 - Applied Communication Capstone - (1-6 credits)
Total Credit Hours: 33
Learn more about the program's curriculum here.
Beyond the classroom
Graduate assistantships provide students with professional experiences in teaching, editing, research, publications and work in department-affiliated radio, television and social opportunities and studios. The program also offers opportunities for working with real-world clients and for student travel and presentation at regional and national academic research conferences. Financial stipends are available, and assistantships are highly competitive.
The Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts also has several production facilities that offer students hands-on experiences with professional-level equipment and software. Learn more about our production resources, The Athenaeum Press and other experiential learning initiatives.
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