Graduate Program

Degrees Offered

Master of Arts in Communication (M.A.)
Doctor of Philosophy in Communication (Ph.D.)
Concentrations: Health Communication; Intercultural Communication; Mass Communication.

Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program

Juniors or seniors majoring or minoring in Communication or in Journalism and Mass Communication may seek admission to the M.A. in Communication under the Shared-Credit Undergraduate/Graduate Degrees Program. Refer to the Communication and Journalism: Undergraduate Program section of this Catalog for specific admission and coursework requirements.

Application Information

Review of applications for the M.A. and Ph.D. programs begins after the annual January 15 application due date. Accepted applicants begin the program the following Fall semester.

The GRE is required for admission to both the M.A. and the Ph.D. programs. All applications must be received on or before the due date. Complete application instructions and requirements are located in the Graduate Studies Web site.

Master of Arts in Communication

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication is offered under two options, Plan I (thesis) and Plan II (project or comprehensive exam), according to regulations set forth in the Graduate Program section of this Catalog.

Students are required to complete 500, 501, and 507, one course selected from 604, 605, or 606; and one seminar course in an area of interest. They also need to complete 15 units of electives, 9 of which may be outside the department with advisor's approval.

NOTE: Students are required to complete 500 and 501 during the earliest semesters they are available following admission.

All plans require a minimum of 36 credit hours, with at least 27 credit hours in Communication. A tentative plan of study form should be submitted by the third semester, so as to reflect the student's major and minor interests. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies for additional information.

Each candidate is assisted by a committee of at least three faculty members for Plan I. Candidates must prepare a detailed prospectus and have it approved by their committee prior to proceeding with research for the thesis (Plan I) or beginning work on a project (Plan II). Candidates must submit a written thesis or project report to their committee for examination.

Candidates in Plans I and II are required to complete an oral Master’s Examination. These examinations are conducted by the candidate’s committee following completion of the thesis or project. This examination emphasizes the thesis or project and assesses the candidate’s ability to relate his or her formal course of study to the thesis or project. Candidates must submit their Program of Studies for approval for a master’s degree prior to completing this examination. Candidates should consult with their thesis or project advisor concerning deadlines and specific procedures.

Candidates in Plan II opting for the comprehensive examination must complete 36 credit hours of coursework and a comprehensive exam. In order to take the comprehensive exams, students must have completed 30 units and have taken all the required courses. Comprehensive exams are offered once a semester.

Doctor of Philosophy in Communication

Doctoral study in the Department of Communication and Journalism aims to prepare students to become scholars and professionals who are conversant with one or more areas in the field of communication. Because of the wide diversity of disciplinary approaches represented in the work of the department, the graduate program is open to students with undergraduate preparation in communication, journalism, the humanities, the social sciences and other fields related to the study of communication. For all candidates, admission must be approved by the departmental committee on graduate studies.

Academic requirements for the Ph.D. in Communication consist of an intensive program of coursework, research and professional development. The doctoral degree requires a minimum of 39 credit hours beyond the Master's degree, plus 18 credit hours for the dissertation.

		Credit Hours
	Required Core:	9
CJ 509	Ph.D. Professional Seminar
CJ 600	History and Philosophy of Communication
CJ 602	Theorizing Culture and Communication
	Research Methods:	9
	*See selection criteria below.*
CJ 507	Quantitative Data Analysis
CJ 604	Survey of Qualitative Research Methods
CJ 605	Qualitative Research Design and Analysis
CJ 606	Qualitative Methods Practicum
CJ 607	Communication Research Methods: Quantitative
CJ 609	Mixed Methods Research Designs
	Nine credit hours in one concentration:	9
	Health Communication
CJ 550	Health Communication
	Two additional courses from:
CJ 552	Topics in Health Communication
CJ 553	Health Communication Campaigns
CJ 555	Culture, Disparities, and Health Communication
	Intercultural Communication
CJ 514	Seminar: Intercultural Communication
CJ 517	Culture, Identities and Subjectivities
CJ 518	Culture, Places and Spaces
	Mass Communication
CJ 566	Media Theories
	Two additional courses from:
CJ 567	Digital and Social Media
CJ 568	Political Economy of Media
CJ 569	Media, Culture, and Society

Methods courses selection criteria: Students who have not completed a quantitative methods course at the M.A.-level equivalent to CJ 507 are required to take CJ 507. For the two additional courses (intended to give exposure to both qualitative and quantitative methods), select at least one course from CJ 604 or CJ 605. Students who have completed a quantitative methods course at the M.A. level equivalent to CJ 501 are required to take CJ 607 and two other methods courses. (Students may not take CJ 507 if they have already had the equivalent in their M.A. program). For exposure to both qualitative and quantitative methods, at least one course should be from CJ 604 or CJ 605.

Electives: The remaining 21 credit hours of coursework are electives that can be taken in the Communication and Journalism department. Normally, students take 9-12 of these credit hours in their concentration. Students should secure approval from their Program of Studies Committee Chair for courses taken outside the department. For students who have an M.A. from another institution, of these 21 elective credit hours, no more than 6 credit hours may be from CJ 502 (or topics courses outside the department), and no more than 6 credit hours may be independent study (CJ 593). For students who have an M.A. from Communication and Journalism, and have already taken 6 credit hours of topics courses or 6 credit hours of independent study, take only 3 additional credit hours of topic courses or independent study.

Language/Tool Requirement: Students must demonstrate competency in either a language or research tool. There are two options to meet this requirement:

Students may demonstrate competency in a language other than English. Competency is demonstrated by proof of fluency in the language (e.g., being a native speaker) or by passing the equivalent of a second-year proficiency level course with a grade of "B" or better.
Competency may also be demonstrated by taking two foreign language courses or two courses in a research tool or methodology. A few examples include statistics, ethnography, visual communication, and women studies. Students must pass these courses with a grade of "B" or better. Courses can be taken in other departments when approved by the students' Program of Studies Committee. Courses cannot be those from the M.A. program and may include methods that are applied in the dissertation. Credit for courses taken to meet the language/research tool requirement are taken in addition to the 39 credit hours required for the degree. The Program of Studies Committee makes the final determination as to credit hours that may be substituted or transferred.

Required Training for Teaching Assistants: All teaching assistants (including those pursuing an M.A. degree) must take CJ 583 (1 credit hour) during the student's first Fall semester.

Communication Background: Students entering the Ph.D. in Communication and Journalism program and do not have an M.A. in Communication may be required to take CJ 500 and CJ 501. The Ph.D. Program Director makes this determination after a review of the student's application materials and/or a meeting with the student. These courses do not fulfill any of the graduate course requirements but are taken in addition to required Ph.D. credit hours.

Graduate Minor in Communication

Students getting a Master’s degree in other departments may select a graduate minor in Communication. The minor requires 12 credit hours of graduate coursework. CJ 500 Foundations of Communication Theory is required and should be taken as soon as possible. Students must consult with the Communication and Journalism Graduate Director for advisement before taking CJ 500. There is a 3 credit hour maximum on CJ 593 Graduate Problems.

Keys and Symbols Reference