Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts program requires completion of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework with an overall GPA of 3.0 or better. The student can elect to complete a research-based thesis, for which six of the 30 credits are awarded, or pursue the Master's exam option. A prospectus meeting and final defense of the thesis is required.
Core (6 credits)
COMM 700 - Research Methods in Communication
COMM 711 - Communication Theory
Research Methods (6 credits)
Students must take at least two of the following courses:
COMM 704 - Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
COMM 707 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
COMM 767 - Rhetorical Criticism
SOC 700 - Qualitative Research Methods
SOC 701 - Quantitative Research Methods
STAT 725 - Applied Statistics
Elective Specialization (12-15 credits)
12-15 credits of additional coursework, depending on whether the thesis or Master's exam option is selected. Students can select from a wide range of specializations, pending approval from their advisor. Students may also choose graduate-level electives from other departments that may enhance specialized communication study goals.
Thesis (6 credits)
The thesis option requires six credits of COMM 798.
Exam (3 credits)
The exam option requires three credits of COMM 799.