Communication, M.A.

OSRHE Program Code: 106
CIP Code: 090101
Major Code: 4261

Purpose

The Master of Arts in Communication program provides an interdisciplinary approach to communication that will develop a more complete communicator. The program offers an opportunity for personnel directors, business executives, educators, journalists, advertising personnel, and public relations directors to enhance their written, oral, and mass communication knowledge and skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Critically appraise communicative acts and/or rhetorical artifacts.
2. Write a research paper in APA style that sufficiently covers a communication-related topic.
3. Create and deliver original work in front of an audience.
4. Advocate for a liberal arts education.
5. Describe and evaluate communication theories.
6. Analyze qualitative and quantitative methodologies.
7. Provide communication services through event planning, internship, and/or service learning.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

Admission. Beyond the admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the Communication, M.A. program requires:

1. Minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all undergraduate coursework OR a score in at least the 35th percentile on either the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test.
2. 500-word essay describing what the student hopes to achieve by admission to the program.

Advisement. The Graduate College assigns students an advisor upon admission to graduate studies. It is the candidate’s responsibility to make an appointment with the advisor prior to enrollment to discuss policies and procedures relevant to the degree program. Conferring with the student, the advisor develops the plan of study, reviews the Statement of Understanding, assists in the selection of classes, and counsels the student.

Candidacy. Students should meet candidacy requirements within the first 15 semester hours of their program and must meet them within the first 21 hours. Students are eligible for admission to candidacy if they have:

1. Been admitted to the Communication, M.A. program.
2. Completed COMM 5103 Research Design (cross-listed M S 5103) during the first semester the course was available.
3. Filed a plan of study approved by the advisor and the Dean of the Graduate College.
4. Filed a Statement of Understanding signed by the student, the advisor, with the Dean of the Graduate College.
5. Completed a minimum of 12 hours of the courses prescribed by the plan of study.
6. Maintained a “B” average in all graduate coursework attempted.

Retention and Graduation. Candidates for the Master of Arts in Communication degree must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Continue to meet the Graduate College’s retention standards. See the Academic Information page for more information.
2. Monitor degree progress using the degree audit system in the goNSU portal.
3. Meet Graduate College policies detailed in Academic Information and Master’s Degree Requirements regarding GPA, minimum grades, coursework age, residency and institutional / state regulations governing degree conferral.
4. Complete a thesis or pass a comprehensive examination as described below.

• Thesis Option - After completion of at least 27 hours of graduate coursework, students will enroll in COMM or M S Thesis and choose a thesis advisor and two other members of the thesis committee. Students enroll in a minimum of six (6) thesis hours and have to stay continuously enrolled in at least one thesis hours in the fall and spring semesters until the thesis is complete.  The completed thesis requires an oral defense.  The committee-approved thesis should be sent to the Graduate College 30 days prior to the end of the semester.  Every student is welcome to pursue the thesis option, but students planning to pursue doctorates are strongly encouraged to pursue the thesis option.
• Non-thesis Option - During the final semester prior to graduation, students seeking the non-thesis option take a comprehensive written examination over 18 hours of coursework completed for the degree. Students can take the exams after all coursework is completed only if granted an extension by the graduate coordinator.  Should any student fail all or a portion of the examination, s/he will be allowed to take a second examination, which might be written or oral, or a combination of the two. The comprehensive examination may be taken no more than twice.