Communication Arts, M.A.
    Department of Communication Arts, College of Arts & Social Sciences

    The Department of Communication Arts offers the M.A. degree. The M.A. program is designed to prepare students for doctoral study or for careers in communication.

    Emphasis is on theory, practice and the interrelation of broadcasting and film, public relations and advertising, journalism, speech, and interpersonal communication. Sociohistorical, theoretical, and critical studies provide groundwork and special areas for research. In addition to the general University graduate admission (p. 27) and degree requirements found on p. 53, students seeking the master's degree in communication arts must meet the following requirements.

    Admission
    Students must take the GRE and submit their scores prior to being considered for admission. They must score 450 on the verbal section of the GRE to be considered for admission to the program.

    Degree Requirements

    1. A minimum of 33 semester hours of credit in the approved degree program including 9 semester hours of required core courses (COM 6001, COM 6312 and one of the following: COM 6400C, MMC 6605, or MMC 6507). A minimum of 15 semester hours must be at the 6000level and none of these hours can be in the form of an internship, directed study, or thesis. A maximum of 6 semester hours can be below the 5000level.
    2. A minimum of two semesters in academic residence.
    3. Oral examination in defense of thesis (Option I); oral and written comprehensive examinations (Option II).
    4. Any additional degree requirements will be mutually agreed upon by the graduate student's advisory committee.
    Other special requirements are outlined below under the description of the M.A.

    Master of Arts Options
    Two alternative plans of study are available to candidates for the M.A. degree: Option I (with thesis) and Option II (without thesis). The thesis may be a creative project in film or television or it may be the more traditional research topic. Those electing Option I will present an acceptable thesis for which 6 semester hours of credit will be allowed. Option II requires passing a written and an oral comprehensive examination.

    Upon completion of 12 semester hours of study, the student must constitute a graduate advisory committee. The advisory committee will be responsible for ensuring the proper distribution of course work. If the student chooses the thesis option, the committee will oversee the student's work and conduct the oral examination in defense of the thesis.