Faculty members in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication offer a program leading to the Master of Arts degree, with a major in communication. Graduate study in the school is directed toward advancing the understanding of message-related human behavior. The programs are research-oriented and are based on the principle that students' programs should be tailored to their individual needs, capabilities, and professional goals within the academic mission and scope of the school. Our programs provide students with training in communication theory, research methods, and specialization in one or more of our emphasis areas. Current areas of study within the major are intercultural communication and cultural studies, interpersonal communication, performance studies, organizational communication, and rhetorical studies and public communication. Dr. Benjamin Broome is the director of the Master's program.
What opportunities are open to people with a master's degree in communication?
- Pursuing a Ph.D.
- Teaching in community colleges
- Human Resource units in organizations
- Non-Profit organization leadership positions
- Communication consulting
Program of Study
The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate course work. All students must successfully complete the following:
At least three communication seminars.
Degree completion options:
- thesis option: students are required to complete 24 credit hours and a 6-credit research thesis.
Students pursuing the thesis option (original research) will be expected to conduct an expanded literature review as part of their thesis that demonstrates their mastery of the subject area in which they are completing their thesis.
The thesis committee will consist of the student’s advisor and 2 or more additional members.
- project option: students are required to complete 27 credit hours and a 3-credit project.
Students pursuing the project option will be expected to conduct an expanded literature review as part of their project that demonstrates their mastery of the subject area in which they are completing their project.
The project committee will consist of the student’s advisor and 2 or more additional members.
- examination option: students are required to complete 30 credit hours and 4 hours of comprehensive exams, which will include one theory question, one methodology question, and two questions focused on the student’s primary subject area.
The examination committee will consist of the student’s advisor and 2 or more additional members.
Timeline for completion of degree requirements:
- By the end of their second semester (or completion of 12 semester credits), students must select an advisor, and by Week 6 of their third semester (or semester after completing 12 credits), students must select the additional members of their committee.
- By the end of Week 6 of their third semester (or semester after completing 12 credits), students must submit a program of study that indicates both the courses they intend to take in completing their degree and their intention to complete a thesis, project, or examination.
- By the end of their third semester (or completion of 18 semester hours), students selecting the thesis or project options must present and defend a prospectus for their thesis or project, and students pursuing the examination option must submit their examination preparation plan
The student's program of study is the mutual responsibility of the student and the three-person supervisory committee.
Applicants with undergraduate deficiencies must remove such deficiencies, and these courses do not count toward the master's degree. A foreign language is not required but is encouraged as appropriate.
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