The Communication Studies Faculty seeks to promote an environment of graduate study that is founded on collaboration among and between, graduate students and faculty, as well as other campus and community partners. We seek to welcome students into the program with self-motivation, a desire to learn, a strong commitment to their studies and personal integrity. The Communication Studies MA Program has a strong history of supporting our graduate students as they develop sophisticated communication skill sets and in-depth knowledge, such that graduates are able to pursue a variety of career options. We invite students to seek understanding, strive for excellence, manage balance in life, and develop academic, intellectual and practical potential.

Mission

The M.A. in Communication Studies provides students an opportunity to pursue advanced study in human communication and to improving its practice in interpersonal contexts, organizations, and the political sphere. This generalist approach to the discipline requires that all students study the historical and theoretical foundations of the discipline, current research, and qualitative, quantitative and rhetorical research approaches. The program is designed for students who are intellectually curious and engaged, who seek a broad-based advanced understanding of the field, and who desire opportunities for exploring specialized interests. As active participants in a community of scholarly discourse, students are expected to achieve and practice advanced mastery in written and oral communication, research, critical thinking and collaborative scholarship.

Goals & Objectives

1. Articulate the Communication Studies discipline broadly and related sub-areas.
2. Appropriately apply communication theory to human communication phenomena.
3. Apply knowledge of research methods to communication problems.
4. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specialized area of communication studies.

Learning Outcomes

1) Articulate the Communication Studies discipline broadly and related sub-areas.

• 1.1. Discuss the current landscape and evolution of the discipline and /or sub areas through a variety of roots, noting critical points of development and significant contributors.

2) Appropriately apply communication theory to human communication phenomena.

• 2.1  Compare the various theoretical perspectives associated with the discipline with regard to their assumptions, predominant focus, and weaknesses.
• 2.2  Analyze current communication phenomena using communication theory.

3) Apply knowledge of research methods to communication problems.

• 3.1  Design and/or conduct a qualitative research study incorporating all the principles of good design.
• 3.2  Design and/or conduct a quantitative research study incorporating all the principles of good design.
• 3.3  Design/or conduct a rhetorical research study incorporating all the principles of good rhetorical scholarship.

4) Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specialized area of communication studies

• 4.1   Present in written form a comprehensive understanding of a body of research in a specialized area.
• 4.2  Orally present and defend individual understanding of a body of research in a specialized area.