MA Program of Study

There are two options available for the Master of Arts degree:

Thesis Option

This option is designed for students who are interested in becoming researchers in the Communication Studies field, and/or view themselves as potential Ph.D. candidates. Students must satisfy a minimum 6-hour thesis requirement, with a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of coursework and final oral thesis defense.

• COMS 851: Communication Research: Historical and Descriptive -OR- COMS 852: Communication Research: Experimentation and Quantitative Analysis (3)
• One additional methods course (3)
• COMS 859: Proseminar in Communication
• COMS 899: Master's Thesis (6)
• At least 6 hours in each of the 2 areas of communication (12 total hours)
• 3 additional credit hours from any Communication Studies course or from outside the department (3)
• Final Oral Examination (Thesis Defense)

Exam Option

This option is designed for students who are primarily interested in acquiring knowledge and skills that they can apply in the areas of their professional activities. Students finish a minimum of 30 semester credit hours of coursework and then must pass a written and oral comprehensive examination. Specific requirements for the non-thesis option is as follows:

• COMS 859: Proseminar in Communication Studies (3)
• COMS 851: Communication Research: Historical and Descriptive -OR- COMS 852: Communication Research: Experimentation and Quantitative Analysis (3)
• At least 9 hours in each of two areas of communication (18 total hours)
• 6 hours of electives (6)
• General Examination. Each student must successfully complete an examination over the 2 areas of course work concentration. See the department's guidelines for MA examination logistics. The examination is structured as follows:
  • 1 hour written over content from COMS 859 and COMS 850
  • 2 hours written over the first major area of communication
  • 2 hours written over the second major area of communication
  • 1 hour oral examination