MA in Communication Studies: Admission Requirements for Degree Candidacy

A student may be admitted to candidacy for the degree of Master of Arts with Major in Communication after having satisfied the following requirements:

1. The student must complete 9 or more credits of graduate coursework in Communication with a GPA of 3.0 or better.

2. The student must complete all other College and University requirements.

3. The student must be recommended by the Department and thesis supervisory committee.

4. The student must be formally accepted into the Master of Arts program by the SCMS. Non-degree-seeking, master's-level students are not permitted to enroll for more than 6 credits in SCMS courses without being formally accepted into the program.

Requirements for Degree: Thesis Option

Minimum of 30 credits

1. Nine credits of required courses:

   Introduction (3 credits) “Introduction to Graduate Studies in Communication” (COM 6400)

   Theory: (3 credits): Select from one of the following:

   • “Intercultural Communication Theory” (COM 6415)
   • “Communication Theory” (COM 6424)
   • “Film Theory & Criticism” (FIL 6807)
   • “Mass Media Theory” (MMC 6408)
   • “Classical Rhetorical Theory” (SPC 6234)

   
   Methodology (3 credits): Select from one of the following:

   • "Quantitative Communication Research” (COM 6316)
   • “Qualitative Communication Research” (COM 6340)
   • “Film Theory & Criticism” (FIL 6807)
   • “Rhetorical Criticism” (SPC 6682)

   
   Please note: No course may be used to fulfill BOTH the theory and method requirements.

2. Fifteen credits of approved electives, of which a minimum of 9 must be in Communication. Any coursework in a department other than Communication must be approved in writing by a Communication faculty advisor prior to enrollment.

3. Six credits of thesis research.

4. Submission of an approved thesis.

5. A minimum 3.0 GPA on all work completed.

6. A grade of "B" or higher on all credit applied to the degree.

Requirements for Degree: Non-Thesis Option

Minimum of 36 credits

1. Nine credits of required courses:

   Introduction (3 credits): “Introduction to Graduate Studies in Communication” (COM 6400)

   Theory: (3 credits): Select from one of the following:

   • “Intercultural Communication Theory” (COM 6415)
   • “Communication Theory” (COM 6424)
   • “Film Theory & Criticism” (FIL 6807)
   • “Mass Media Theory” (MMC 6408)
   • “Classical Rhetorical Theory” (SPC 6234)

   
   Methodology (3 credits): Select from one of the following:

   • “Quantitative Communication Research” (COM 6316)
   • “Qualitative Communication Research” (COM 6340)
   • “Film Theory & Criticism” (FIL 6807)
   • “Rhetorical Criticism” (SPC 6682)

   
   Please note: No course may be used to fulfill BOTH the theory and method requirements.

2. Twenty-seven credits of elective courses, of which 21 must be in Communication. Any coursework in a department other than Communication must be approved in writing by a Communication faculty advisor prior to enrollment.
   
   
3. Satisfactory completion of a written comprehensive examination.
   
   
4. A minimum of 3.0 GPA on all work completed.
   
   
5. A grade of "B" or higher on all credit applied to the degree.
   
   
6. Additional requirements that the student's advisory committee may prescribe.
   
   

 

For current MA students in Communication Studies, access the “Committee Appointment Form” here.