Level Up Your Career: Become a Master of Communication
The M.A. degree in Communication Studies provides an opportunity for students to develop individual programs of theory, research, and application in the areas of interpersonal, organizational, educational, and public communication. The program is designed for students who seek careers as communication professionals or who intend to pursue further graduate study in the field. Further details can be found in the graduate catalog.
Admission Requirements
Applicants should follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog or on the Graduate Admissions website. Admission Requirements for an MA in Communication.
Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work.
Students with a GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered for provisional admission to the program; however, students with less than a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale will not be considered for an assistantship.
Assistantships and Financial Support
The Department of Communication Studies has funds available in the form of assistantships to provide financial support for graduate students. For complete information on graduate assistantships, please see http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/graduate-assistantships-2/graduate-assistantship-overview/. For complete information on other financial support opportunities, please see http://www.marshall.edu/graduate/.
Degree Requirements
A Plan of Study approved by the department and the graduate dean must be filed in the Graduate College office before the student registers for the twelfth semester hour. Students prepare a Plan of Study in conjunction with a committee of three graduate faculty members. At least one member of the committee must have full graduate faculty status.
The Plan of Study must include CMM 601 – Quantitative Research in Communication and 606 – Engaging Communication Theories. A total of 36 credit hours is required for graduation. Students who write a thesis may earn six of those credit hours for the thesis.
A written comprehensive exam, prepared and evaluated by the student’s committee, is required. A candidate who writes a thesis is also required to pass an oral examination on the thesis.
For more information, contact the Department Chair, Dr. Rich Jones at jonesri@marshall.edu