M.A. in Communication - Program Requirements
The Master of Arts degree in Communication requires 36 credits. These include:
- 3 required courses totaling 9 credits
- 7 electives totaling 21 credits
- a required thesis or capstone project, totaling at least 6 credits
Students choose from a range of courses that have been designed specifically for the M.A. in Communications. They may also take up to 2 courses in allied areas, including graduate or advanced-level undergraduate courses, in which they are expected to produce a graduate-level paper as an added course requirement.
Required Courses
Three core courses are required for all students in the M.A. Program:
- CO 400: Communication Philosophies, Theories, and Research Traditions
- CO 420: Communication Research Design and Methodologies
- CO 440: Ethics and Communication
Elective Courses
Students take 7 courses, focusing on communication theoretical and research traditions, communication processes and applications, and allied coursework in related areas. Students design their curriculum in consultation with their faculty advisor.
Thesis or Capstone Project
Students must take 6 credits of thesis- or project-related work:
- CO 560 Thesis Proposal Seminar
- CO 561 Thesis Research
-or-
- CO 570 Project Proposal Seminar
- CO 571 Independent Project
Independent Capstone Project
The program culminates in an independent research project of some scope and originality, completed under the close supervision of a faculty member. At the outset, the student chooses a topic and provides a prospectus and bibliography. The project typically results in a research paper, but other proposals are welcome.
Projects must be completed within one year of their registration.