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Degree Information

Minimum Requirements for Awarding the Master’s Degree in Communication

All students must complete a program of study of at least 27 credit hours of graduate course work, including a core of required courses.  Students must culminate their M.A. program by either writing a thesis or taking a comprehensive exam.

Thesis/Exam Option

The department encourages all students to write a thesis based upon independent research initiated and conducted by the student. However, under some circumstances, a student may write a comprehensive exam in lieu of the thesis. The decision to elect the thesis or the exam option must be mutually agreed upon by the student and his/her advisory committee during the second semester of a M.A. program. Generally, the exam option is not advisable for students electing the Marketing Communication Program or for students planning to continue their education at the Ph.D. level.

The thesis option requires the student to prepare a thesis prospectus describing the project to be undertaken.  The prospectus is presented for approval to the student's advisory committee during the student's third semester.  After approval, the student typically carries out the research and writes the thesis in the last semester of the program.  The thesis must be accepted and approved by the student's advisory committee.  The student must also pass an oral examination after all coursework and thesis requirements have been completed.

The exam option requires the student to write a six hour, "closed-book" examination over major content areas of the student's program. The examination is given mid-way through the student's last semester.  Questions are prepared by faculty to test the student's comprehension and analytic abilities in content areas represented by the student's plan of study. Upon the decision of the student's advisory committee that the student has passed the written exam and the successful completion of specified course work in the student's plan of study, all requirements for the Master's degree will be met.

 

Graduate Committees

Advisory Committee

All M.A. candidates are required to name an Advisory Committee consisting of two department members in addition to a major advisor. This committee is responsible for approving student's proposed program of courses, approving choice of exam or thesis option, and determining the acceptability of comprehensive exam or thesis.

Graduate Affairs Committee

The division maintains a standing committee of faculty members whose responsibility it is to oversee graduate programs, plans of study and other matters relating to the Master's program in Communication. The committee provides a formal channel between the student and the Communication faculty. Questions and problems pertaining to coursework, financial assistance, or program options and requirements will typically be addressed to the Graduate Affairs Committee.

Advisory Committee and Plans of Study

No later than one week after midterms during the student's second registered semester, student submits to the student's advisor: a) a specific and detailed program of study on forms available from the departmental secretary; and b) a list of suggested Advisory Committee members. The student's Advisory Committee schedules a meeting to discuss the proposed program. Once the program has been approved by the Committee, it constitutes a contractual agreement which generally cannot be amended. Of course, minor modifications may be made at the discretion of the Advisory Committee and the student. Final approval of the program, however, rests with the student's Advisory Committee.

Evaluation Committee

Students will be notified during their second semester regarding the division's evaluation of their current progress toward fulfilling the requirements. This evaluation will be made by the Graduate Student Evaluation Committee, in consultation with the student's advisor and instructors. Qualification to continue in the M.A. program will be ascertained at this point. The Committee's evaluation of student performance is intended to provide feedback regarding apparent strengths and weaknesses, and may suggest that additional assignments or coursework be undertaken by the student.