Master of Arts in Communication Concentration Communication Studies

The Department of Communication offers graduate-level instruction that leads toward the Master of Arts degree. The degree program combines training in communication theory, methodology and practice for students who desire knowledge and skills for solving work-related communication problems and for students who intend to enter doctoral programs. The program offers four concentrations of study: Communication Education Communication Studies Political Communication, and Media and Public Relation Three of the concentrations provide options for taking coursework from related disciplines that provide graduate students with an interdisciplinary approach to the study of communication. Each concentration is designed for students who regard knowledge of communication as important for their chosen professional careers but may or may not hold a bachelor’s degree in communication. The nature of the discipline of communication requires students to possess a high level of proficiency in written and spoken English. For this reason, students who come from non-English speaking cultures should only apply for the program if they have extensive training and experience in speaking and writing in the English language. Thesis and Non Thesis Options The thesis option (Plan A) requires 28 units of coursework and 4 units of thesis. Students must successfully complete a 6-hour written comprehensive examination and a 1-hour oral examination administered by a committee of three professors prior to starting the thesis. Students must also successfully defend a thesis proposal before a committee of three professors prior to collecting data for the thesis. The thesis must contribute to the body of knowledge of the field in a significant manner. The non-thesis option (Plan B) requires 32 units of coursework. Students must also successfully complete a 12-hour written comprehensive examination and a 2-hour oral examination administered by a committee of three professors. Four hours of the written comprehensive examination covers material from a “landmark works in communication” list developed by the department faculty. Communication Competence Research, organize and deliver oral presentations effectively. Write clearly, critically and persuasively. Analytic Capacity Analyze and evaluate scholarly/professional communication literature. Evaluate, select and use relevant and credible information from multiple sources. Apply communication theories, concepts, or principles of best practice and research methods to study or solve communication issues and problems. Professionalism Exhibit professional behaviors while undertaking work in a professional setting. Master of Arts in Communication Concentration Communication Studies Students must complete a minimum of 32 units with a Pacific cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to earn the master of arts degree in communication with a concentration in communication studies,