Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Bulletin: 2017-2018 Graduate Bulletin Program: Master of Arts in Communication Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Master of Arts in Communication

812-464-5220

Program Objectives

The Master of Arts in Communication program provides students with an interdisciplinary approach to understanding human and mass communication across multiple contexts - personal, professional, social, civic, and mediated. The program establishes for students a foundation of effective problem solving and leadership in areas as diverse as technological change, international relations, conflict and negotiation, corporate communication, personal relationships, cultural and identity studies, corporate responsibility, and community outreach. We deliberately adopt pedagogical techniques that develop our students’ problem-solving abilities and critical-thinking skills. Our hands-on capstone experience connects our students’ learning experience with real-life problems and will provide a service to the community. For students who want to pursue advanced graduate studies, we also offer a thesis option that allows them to gain experience in academic research.

Students who complete the M.A. in Communication will be able to apply their increased knowledge of communication processes, contexts, theories, and research methodologies to further their career and educational goals. The objectives of the Master of Arts in Communication program are:

  • To produce graduates who are skilled and logical problem solvers and who can apply those skills for real solutions
  • To equip students with analytical and practical tools that foster the ability to lead
  • To develop and deliver a program flexible enough to serve practitioners and aspiring academics alike
  • To offer a program full-time students can complete in two years of study
  • To offer a program that part-time students can complete in three to four years

Admission Requirements

  • Unconditional admission into the Master of Arts in Communication program will be contingent on the following factors:
  • Admission to Graduate Studies.
  • A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution. Although applicants do not need to hold an undergraduate degree in an area of communication, preference will be given to applicants with an educational background in communication or other social sciences disciplines.
  • An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.
  • A well-written letter of intent. The letter of intent will serve as the student’s application letter and writing sample. In this writing sample, the admissions committee will evaluate the student’s potential and ability for graduate-level writing. This letter should explain how a student’s career goals are related to or enhanced by our degree program.
  • Three positive professional letters of recommendation.

Applicants not meeting the criteria for unconditional admittance may be conditionally admitted if space is available. These applicants will receive preference on the basis of GPA and the quality of the letter of intent.

Conditionally admitted individuals can achieve unconditional status following 12 hours of coursework if they hold a graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher. All students admitted to the program failing to attain a graduate 3.0 GPA after 12 credit hours will be academically dismissed from the program.

Curriculum

The program is comprised of 36 credit hours (12 courses) of coursework leading to a Master of Arts degree. A total of 15 hours of course work (five courses) are required; an additional 21 hours (seven courses) must be taken from a selection of elective course offerings.

Required Coursework (15 hours)

Methodology and Inquiry Requirement (6 hours)

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM 602 - Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
Term(s) Offered:
Credits: 3
COMM 603 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
Term(s) Offered:
Credits: 3

Theory Requirement (3 hours)

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM 601 - Foundations of Communication Theory
Term(s) Offered:
Credits: 3

Thesis/Capstone or Non-Thesis Option (6 hours)

Select only one:

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM 690 - Capstone Project (6 hours required)
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
Credits: 1-6
COMM 699 - Thesis (6 hours required)
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring
Credits: 1-6
  • Non-thesis option with comprehensive examination (6 hours of additional directed electives required).  Directed electives approved by faculty advisor and successful completion of comprehensive examination.
  • Elective Coursework (21 hours)

    Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
    COMM 605 - Gender, Communication, and Culture
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 604 - Contemporary Rhetorical Criticism
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 610 - Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 611 - Communication and Personal Relationships
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 612 - Health Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 613 - Political Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 614 - Interpersonal Communication within Organizations
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 615 - Communication and Culture
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 616 - Seminar in Personal and Cultural Identity
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 617 - Instructional Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 620 - Special Topics in Organizational Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 621 - Advanced Public Relations
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 622 - Emerging Issues in Computer-mediated Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 623 - Telecommunications Operations: A Leadership Approach
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 624 - Nonprofit Advancement
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 625 - History of Mass Media
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 626 - Semiotics
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 630 - Advanced Mass Communication Seminar
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 631 - Organizational Rhetoric
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3
    COMM 640 - Independent Study in Communication
    Term(s) Offered:
    Credits: 3

    Type of Degree

    Students who complete the program are awarded the Master of Arts in Communication degree. There are no distinctions in the name or prestige of the degree according to the thesis, capstone, or non-thesis options.

    Notes: