2025-2026 Graduate Catalog

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Candidates are required to complete a set of core requirements (15 credits), a capstone experience (6 credits), and a 15-credit concentration to complete the 36 hour program.

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 699 after project approval. THES 698 or COMM 699 fulfill the capstone requirements.

36 credits

Core requirements, 15 credits:

Any 600 or 700 course, across all departments, may serve as elective courses for students. Students should consult with the graduate director prior to enrolling in elective courses.

COMM 601Introduction to Communication Studies

3

COMM 602Quantitative Research in Communication

3

COMM 605Qualitative Research in Communication

3

COMM 612Rhetorical Criticism

3

Electives

3

Capstone Experience Requirement, 6 credits:

THES 698Thesis

1 TO 6

or

COMM 699Applied Communication Capstone Project

3

and

Electives

3

Students choosing THES 698 must take 6 credits.

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

Students take any 600-level COMM course for the COMM elective.

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

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.

Total Credit Hours: 36