Communication, M.A.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 33 hours

The graduate program of study in Communication provides a strong background in communication research methods and classical and contemporary communication theory. Graduates from the program follow a variety of careers. Many continue graduate work in Ph.D. programs, become secondary or community college teachers, or find positions in business and media (marketing, management, training, consulting) or as coordinators of social service and volunteer organizations. Still others pursue careers in law, politics or the ministry.

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

GPA: 2.7 (and 3.0 in last 15 hours in Communication)

Entrance Exam: N/A

Application Deadline: March 15 (Fall), Oct.15 (Spring)

International Students not from English Proficiency Exempted Countries: TOEFL required – minimum score of 100 (some exceptions may apply)

See Admission Requirement Details Below

In addition to the general university requirements, for regular admission to this program, the student must have an overall grade point average of 2.7 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate credit, and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the last 15 hours of communication courses or courses determined by the department to be related to communication. A student who does not meet the above requirements may be admitted to graduate study on a conditional basis. Acceptance of transfer credit will be dependent upon the decision of the academic advisor. A maximum of 15 semester hours of approved graduate-level courses appropriate to a student's degree program from an accredited college or university may be transferred. Students must receive approval from the Director of Graduate Studies or their academic advisor and apply to the Office of Research and Graduate Studies for permission to transfer credit.

English Language Competency Requirements for International Students

The Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts has introduced guidelines for the English language competency requirements of international graduate students seeking admission to the department’s graduate program. The guidelines are as follows:

1. International students who have a score of 600 PBT¹ (250 CBT², 100 iBT³) or better on the International TOEFL are eligible for regular admission to the graduate program in the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts if all other requirements are met.
2. International students who have a score of between 575 PBT (232 CBT, 90 iBT) and 599 PBT (249 CBT, 99 iBT) on the International TOEFL, a score of 80 points or higher on CMU’s ELI Written English Competency Test, and a score of 25 or higher on CMU’s ELI Oral English Language Competency Test are eligible for regular admission to the graduate program in the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts if all other requirements are met.
3. International students who have a score between 575 (232 CBT, 90 iBT) and 599 (248 CBT, 99 iBT) on the International TOEFL, but have a score of 79 points or less on CMU’s ELI Written English Competency Test, and/or a score of 24 or less on CMU’s ELI Oral English Language Competency Test are eligible for conditional admission to the graduate program in the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts if all other requirements are met. Such students must complete by the end of their first semester of graduate work, a course of English language study as outlined by the ELI in conjunction with the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts.
4. International students with a score of less than 574 (230 CBT, 89 iBT) on the International TOEFL will be denied admission to the graduate program of the Department of Communication and Dramatic Arts.

¹ PBT = Paper-Based Test

² CBT = Computer-Based Test

³ iBT = internet-Based Test

Program Requirements

Core Courses (6 hours)

COM 600	Introduction to Research and Graduate Study in Communication	3(3-0)
COM 601	Research Design in Communication	3(3-0)

Required Courses I (3 hours)

Select one of the following:

COM 602	Qualitative Research Methods	3(3-0)
COM 750	Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism	3(3-0)

Required Courses II (12 hours)

COM 603	Professional Seminar in Communication	1-3(Spec)
COM 661	Contemporary Communication Theory	3(3-0)
COM 664	Seminar in Organizational Communication	3(3-0)
COM 668	Seminar in Interpersonal Communication	3(3-0)

Additional Requirement (0-6 hours)

Student must complete either a comprehensive examination or a 6-credit hour thesis (research or applied).

COM 798

Thesis

1-6(Spec)

Electives (6-12 hours)

Courses in Communication selected in consultation with advisor. No more than 3 credits from COM 764 or COM 790.

Total: 33 semester hours