Masters Program

Faculty members in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication offer a program leading to the Master of Arts degree, with a major in Communication. Graduate study in the Hugh Downs School is directed toward advancing the understanding of message-related human behavior. The programs are research-oriented and are based on the principle that students' programs should be tailored to their individual needs, capabilities, and professional goals within the academic mission and scope of the School. Our programs provide students with training in communication theory, research methods, and specialization in one or more of our emphasis areas. Current areas of study within the major are intercultural communication and cultural studies, interpersonal communication, performance studies, organizational communication, and rhetorical studies and public communication. Dr. Kory Floyd is the director of the Masters program.

What opportunities are open to people with a Master's Degree in Communication?

Pursuing a Ph.D.
Teaching in community colleges
Human Resource units in organizations
Non-Profit organization leadership positions
Communication consulting

Program of Study - Masters Program

The program consists of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate course work, which includes six semester hours of thesis credit. All students must successfully complete the following:

COM 501 Research Methods in Communication with a minimum grade of "B";
COM 504 Theories and Models of Communication with a minimum grade of "B";

At least one of the following three communication methods courses with a minimum grade of B:

At least three communication seminars

A written comprehensive examination over communication theory, methodology, and the student's area of emphasis; and

A thesis, which is an account of original research, and an oral examination in defense of the thesis.

Applicants with undergraduate deficiencies must remove such deficiencies, and these courses do not count toward the master's degree. The student's program of study is the mutual responsibility of the student and the 3-person supervisory committee. A foreign language is not required but is encouraged as appropriate.