Communication Science

Master's Requirements

Students admitted to the graduate program without a master's degree in communication science or its equivalent must first earn an M.A. degree. The master's candidate works under the direction of a faculty advisor and a committee that includes two other faculty members. In consultation with the faculty advisor, the student may elect to write a master's thesis or to take M.A. comprehensive examinations.

In both the thesis and nonthesis options, students develop a program of courses in consultation with the advisor. This program is normally developed before the start of the second semester in residence and is filed with the Graduate Secretary. The course work must be approved by the advisor and must be completed with a minimum grade point average of 3.25, exclusive of thesis credit.

Thesis Option

The M.A. in Communication Science prepares students for future teaching and/or for specialized research. Students must meet the departmental requirements for course work and complete an M.A. thesis and an oral examination. Students are required to take the following courses:

CA 760 Advances in Communication Theory
CA 762 Communication Research Methods, or its equivalent selected under the direction of the student’s advisor

Four additional courses numbered 500 or above in Communication science, and at least one course in statistics.

The M.A. thesis must involve an original study on a research topic determined in consultation with the student's advisor. All students who enter the program without a master's degree in communication science or a closely cognate discipline (to be determined upon admission into the program) and who intend to pursue a Ph.D. in communication science must complete an M.A. thesis before pursuing the Ph.D. degree. Students may take a maximum of six thesis credits as coursework at 900 level. The thesis should ideally be defended at the end of the fourth semester of study and must be defended by the end of the fifth semester.

Non-thesis Option

Very occasionally, students are admitted but decide to leave with only an MA. In that case, they may take the non-thesis option. This option involves successfully completing the course requirements listed below and passing a four-hour written comprehensive examination, covering communication theory, research methodology, and a topic area of the student’s specialization.

CA 760 Advances in Communication Theory
CA 762 Communication Research Methods, or its equivalent selected under the direction of the student’s advisor
Four additional communication courses numbered 500 or above, at least two of which must be numbered 600 or above. In addition, at least two of these must be in Communication Science.
One course in statistics and one or more electives.

The electives may be courses numbered 300 or above in the Communication Arts Department or in departments representing allied disciplines. The student's program of study is designed in collaboration with his or her advisor and Master’s committee.