A student may pursue the primary portion of graduate study for the M.A. in communication studies in communication theory, rhetorical studies, journalism, or media studies.
Check departmental information for any additional requirements.
Requirements
The student must earn a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit and must take at least one 600- or 700-level course in three of the following four areas: journalism, communication theory, rhetorical studies, and media studies. COMS 691, Research in Communication Studies (3), is required of all students and must be taken during the first 12 semester hours of graduate work.
With the adviser’s advice and consent, the student must fulfill the requirements of either the thesis or non-thesis option.
A thesis must be submitted and approved. From 3 to 6 semester hours may be allotted to thesis research and writing. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be taken in a combination of COMS 697, Directed Individual Study, and COMS 699, Master’s Thesis.
During the semester in which degree requirements are completed, the student must pass a written examination and an oral examination on the thesis and course work.
A maximum of 3 semester hours may be earned in COMS 697, Directed Individual Study. This course should only be used for unique educational opportunities, new projects, and research endeavors not otherwise available through current course offerings. For this reason, the course may not be employed to work on the scholarly paper or to revise papers or projects already undertaken in another course.
During the semester in which degree requirements are completed, the student must pass a written examination and an oral examination, both of which will assess knowledge and ability in the area of special interest.
The comprehensive examination includes the submission by the student, for evaluation by the committee, of an expanded scholarly paper growing out of previous course work or directed individual study.
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