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)

Non-Thesis 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