2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Candidates are required to complete a set of core requirements (21 credits) and a 15-credit concentration.

Candidates are required to complete the three methodology courses (COMM 602, COMM 605, and COMM 612) with a B (GPA = 3.0) grade-point average.

Candidates are required to complete a capstone experience in the form of a thesis or applied project. If pursuing a thesis, students must enroll in THES 698, submit an approved thesis, and successfully complete an oral defense of that thesis. Candidates who elect to complete an applied project must enroll in COMM 696 after project approval. THES 698 or COMM 696 partially fulfill the electives core requirements.

36 credits

Core requirements

COMM 601Introduction to Communication Studies

3

COMM 602Quantitative Research in Communication

3

COMM 605Qualitative Research in Communication

3

COMM 612Rhetorical Criticism

3

Electives

3-6

Capstone Project Requirement

THES 698Thesis

1 TO 6

or

COMM 696Directed Study in Communication

1-3

Students choosing THES 698 must take 6 credits.

Communication Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) concentration, 15 credits

COMM 611Theories of Rhetoric

3

COMM 635Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 640Interpersonal Communication in Contexts

3

COMM 660Communication Theory

3

COMM
elective

3

Organizational and Professional Communication Development (OPCD) concentration, 15 credits

COMM 650Communication Training in Organizations

3

COMM 651Organizational Communication: Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Processes

3

COMM 652Organizational Communication: Systems, Culture, and Critique

3

COMM 653Issues in Communication Consultation

3

COMM 669Professional Experience

3-6

Courses required for one communication studies concentration (i.e., CLAS or OPCD) can serve as elective courses for students enrolled in the other concentration.

Accelerated Master's Program (AMP)

Undergraduate students accepted to the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) most commonly take COMM 601 and two courses from the Organizational and Professional Communication Development (OPCD) concentration.