A Master of Arts graduate degree program in Communication Studies requires the
following two component areas of study:
- Core Requirements (18 hours)
Theory Requirements (12 hours)
3 hrs. Classical Rhetorical Theory, COM
545
3 hrs. Contemporary Rhetorical Theory, either MC 605 or COM
541
3 hrs. Human Communication Theory, COM
561 or approved equivalent
3 hrs. Multi-cultural/diversity Communication course, COM
513, 569, or approved elective
Methods Requirements (6 hours) -- for Plan
I or Plan II: Academic/Comps
3 hrs. Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism, COM
548
3 hrs. approved research methods course: BER 631, MC 550,
LS 502, MC 581
Methods Requirements (6 hours) -- for Plan
II: Professional/Practicum
3 hrs. Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism, COM 548
3 hrs. approved professionally applied course, COM 590 or
COM 598
- Approved Elective Courses (a minimum of 12 hours) -- to be determined with one's academic advisor.
Refer to the Departmental Advisory Form.
Plan I -- Thesis Option
Plan II -- Non Thesis Options:
- Academic Track -- Comprehensive Examination
- Professional Track -- Practicum
TRANSFER CREDITS
Subject to the approval of the department Graduate Program Director,
Chairperson, and the Dean of the Graduate School, a maximum of
12 semester hours of graduate courses may be transferred from
another institution. These hours must be in Communication Studies
or in a closely allied subject and must contribute to the educational
objectives of the student. For further information on transfer
credits, refer to the Graduate
School Policy.
PLAN I -- Thesis Option
A student writing a thesis must complete a minimum of 30 hours
(no more than 6 of which may be COM 599 Thesis Research) and complete
and defend a thesis successfully. The thesis defense shall be
made orally before a committee composed of the members of the
student's thesis committee and is open to the public. By the end
of the second semester of graduate study, each student should
submit to the departmental Graduate Program Director a letter
of intent to pursue Plan I (thesis). In the letter, the student
should indicate the subject area of the research and the faculty
member who has agreed to direct the thesis. Refer to "Plan
I -- MA Thesis Prospectus" on the Handbook webpage.
PLAN II -- Comprehensive Examination
Graduate students in Communication Studies who choose this option
must pass the comprehensive examination, taken no later than the
semester or summer in which the course requirements for the master's
degree are to be completed. The written part of the exam will
be administered during a two-day period and shall not exceed five
hours in total writing time. The time and place of written comprehensive
exams are set by the departmental Graduate Program Director. The
examination is designed to reveal the knowledge gained by the
candidate in the core courses of Communication Studies, as well
as the candidate's ability to express that knowledge in acceptable
form. The questions will be formulated and evaluated by the candidate's
comprehensive examination committee. Upon successful completion
of the written part of the exam, the candidate's academic advisor will
schedule an oral defense with the committee, not to exceed one
hour in length, which is publicized by the departmental Graduate
Program Director. Refer to "Plan
II -- Comprehensive Exam Procedures" on the Handbook webpage.
PLAN II -- The Practicum
This option is designed as an alternative for those students
who are primarily interested in professional goals or fulfilling
teaching requirements. Graduate students in Communication Studies who choose this option must secure permission to do so no later
than upon completion of 12 hours of graduate coursework. To secure
permission, candidates must submit their practicum proposals to
their academic advisors for approval. To complete the practicum,
candidates must submit a final written report after both coursework
and the practicum experience (internship or applied project) have been completed for the approval
of their academic advisor. Refer to "Plan
II -- The Practicum" on the Handbook webpage.
RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
The residence requirement for the M.A. degree is a minimum
of two semesters.
ADMISSION TO GRADUATE CANDIDACY
Application for Admission to Degree Candidacy may be made after
completing a minimum of 12 semester hours and no later than the
end of the semester prior to graduation. Each graduate student
must apply to the departmental Graduate Program Director for admission
to candidacy. The Graduate Program Director will certify that
the candidate has fulfilled the grade requirements and that undergraduate
deficiencies have been or are in the process of being removed.
The Graduate Program Director will refer the names of students
fulfilling these requirements to the departmental faculty for
approval of admission to candidacy. Pending approval and successful
completion of 18 hours of course work, students will complete
the formal Graduate School Application for Candidacy.
GRADUATE COLLOQUIA
Graduate students in Communication Studies are required to give
a formal oral presentation to the department prior to completion
of the M.A. degree. Those who are required to give a colloquium
must work in consultation with a faculty member on the topic and
manner of presentation. Once the topic for the presentation is
determined and approved by a faculty member, students must submit
the Colloquium Date Request Form
to the departmental Graduate Program Director to secure a date
for any presentation.
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