Students are advised by both their undergraduate chairperson or faculty advisor and the Graduate Communication Assistant Dean. Permission to take graduate courses is verified by four signatures on the transaction form: undergraduate chair, Assistant Dean, undergraduate and graduate school deans. Signatures are required before the transaction form is sent to the registrar. Students accepted into the program receive the undergraduate degree upon successful completion of 120 credits, of which, three to nine credits may be graduate level communication courses. For these students, the M.S. in Communication is granted for an additional 27-33 graduate credits, depending upon the number of graduate communication courses taken while an undergraduate.

Admission to Candidacy

During the semester in which the 12th credit is completed (6 credits in core requirements and 6 credits in electives), the student must apply for candidacy for the degree. Candidates must have attained a 3.0 cumulative index and be judged suitable for continuation in the program by faculty and the Assistant Dean. Students not accepted for candidacy will not be considered a degree candidate.

Application forms for admission to candidacy may be obtained in the program office.

Degree Requirements for M.S. in Communication Studies – 36 Credits

Core Courses – 12 Credits
CMA 601	Theories of Communication	3
CMA 604	Applied Communications Research	3
CMA 605	Communications Law and Ethics	3
CMA 606	Public Opinion and Persuasion	3
Required Specialization Courses – 6 credits
(choose one pair)
CMA 613	Organizational Communication	3
CMA 618	Writing for Organizations	3
or
CMA 615	Principles of Public Relations	3
CMA 619	Writing for the Media	3

 

Elective Specialization Courses – 12 credits
(choose 4 courses-alternatives from required specialization courses)
CMA 613	*Organizational Communication	3
CMA 615	*Principles of Public Relations	3
CMA 618	*Writing for Organizations	3

 

 

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