Degree Title: Master of Arts
Program Name and Numbers: Communication Studies - MA5360, MA5362
Department/Unit: School of Communication Studies
Delivery Mode: Athens Campus
Terms of Entry: Fall. Students must be simultaneously admitted to the PhD program in Communication Studies (PH5360, PH5361, PH5362).
Program Mission: Our mission is to observe, interpret, and evaluate communication behaviors and processes, with particular interests in the construction of messages and meanings. Across various contexts—interpersonal, organizational, and public—we strive to understand how communication affects identities, communities, and cultures, and to develop teacher-scholars who are effective and ethical.
Program Learning Objectives:
- Able to describe and explain theories and principles of communication in general and in area(s) of specialization.
- Able to conduct and publish complex scholarly research in human communication.
- Able to read, critically evaluate, and apply research in human communication.
- (As relevant given appointment with School and career plans) able to teach courses in area of specialization.
- Competent in the professional practice(s) of the specialization.
- Understands the expectations for teaching and engaging in research in the professional environment.
Program Overview:
The Master of Arts in Communication offered at the Athens Campus is administered separately from the Master of Arts in Organizational Communication (please see the section for Master of Arts in Organizational Communication, MA5332). The MA in Organizational Communication is designed for working professionals seeking an applied learning experience that will not only advance their professional careers, but allow them to make critical contributions toward improved organizational practices at work, in society, and beyond.
The Master of Arts in Communication is designed for students holding a BA degree from an accredited institution and who show extraordinary potential as a graduate student who apply for direct admission to our doctoral program following normal admission procedures (see Ph.D. in Communication Studies - PH5360, PH5361, PH5362). Those admitted will receive the MA degree while progressing through the doctoral program requirements. The MA is automatically awarded upon successful completion of the preliminary examination. Direct to Doctorate students may be required to take additional coursework if the student’s program of study committee determines that such coursework is necessary to prepare for the Ph.D.
Opportunities for Graduates: Students in this MA code typically continue as Doctoral students in our program.
Link to Program: http://www.ohiocommstudies.com/graduate
Graduation Requirements:
- 30 semester hours
- An approved program of study. An approved program of study must meet the following minimum requirements:
- COMS Doctoral CORE: All doctoral students in the School of Communication Studies are required to complete coursework in communication theory, research methods, and professional development. This 18 credit hour core is comprised of COMS 7040: Research Design and Analysis I;COMS 7050: Research and Design and Analysis II; COMS 7020: Integrated Theory in Communications Studies I; COMS 7030: Integrated Theory in Communications Studies II; COMS 7000: Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Pedagogy; COMS 7001: Professional Seminar in Communication Studies: Scholarly Writing
- An additional 12 hours of elective credit
- Successful completion of the preliminary examination
This entire process is expected to take approximately 1.5 years for full-time students.
Culminating Experience: The MA is awarded upon successful completion of the comprehensive examination for the Ph.D. in Communication studies.
Admission Requirements:
Admission to graduate study is granted on the basis of a match between the student’s academic goals and the School’s primary areas of study, recommendations of those familiar with the student’s academic and other work, undergraduate and graduate grade-point average and class standing, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, submitted writing sample, and experiential and other informal learning experiences. International students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit a TOEFL score.
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