Program of Study - Communication (MA)

Purpose

This program is designed for those who are interested in pursuing advanced studies in communication as a means of enhancing their professional and academic careers. Specifically, the objectives of this master’s degree are to:

  1. Provide advanced instruction for professional-level communication career development.
  2. Provide instruction for teachers and educational administrators to upgrade their pedagogical and administrative skills.
  3. Prepare students for advanced graduate study in communication leading to the terminal Doctor of Philosophy degree.

Scope

The Master of Arts degree in Communication is a broad-based and individualized degree program that addresses all of the essential dimensions and components of communication studies, including organizational, interpersonal, intercultural, public relations, mass media and communication theory. The student will acquire grounding in communication research, both theoretical and applied. Substantial flexibility exists for the student in communication to design a course and research program that fits his or her unique and specialized professional and educational goals.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the graduate program in communication, prospective candidates must first meet all requirements for graduate admission to UT Rio Grande Valley, as well as the other requirements listed below:

  1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution in the United States or a recognized international equivalent in Communication, Business, Social Science, or related field.
  2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 semester credit hours.
  3. GRE General Test. GRE test scores are valid for 5 years. A waiver of the GRE requirement will be granted to applicants who show proof of completing a graduate degree (master’s or doctoral).
  4. Three  letters  of  recommendation  from  professional  or  academic sources.
  5. Personal  statement  (500  words)  detailing  professional  goals  and reasons for pursuing the graduate degree.

Application for admission must be submitted prior to the published deadline. The application is available at www.utrgv.edu/gradapply.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (12 Credits)

COMM 6300Qualitative Research Methods

3

COMM 6301Quantitative Research Methods

3

COMM 6320Seminar in Communication Theory

3

COMM 6322Culture and Communication

3

Choose one of the following options:

Thesis Option:
Communication Designated Electives (12 Credits):
Chosen from the following:
COMM 6319Seminar in Communication Education

3

COMM 6321Seminar in Instructional Communication

3

COMM 6323Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 6324Seminar in Organizational Communication

3

COMM 6326Seminar in Nonverbal Communication

3

COMM 6327Seminar in Health Communication

3

COMM 6329Special Topics in Communication

3

COMM 6330Seminar in Consulting and Training

3

COMM 6332Mass Media Campaigns

3

COMM 6333Seminar in Media Psychology

3

COMM 6334Seminar in Conflict Management

3

COMM 6339Independent Research

3

COMM 6351Communication Technology

3

COMM 6352Media, Race, and Ethnicity

3

COMM 6355Professional Speaking

3

COMM 6356Seminar in Persuasion

3

COMM 6360Historical Studies in Mass Media

3

Free Electives (6 Credits)

Any two graduate level courses (from any department)

Capstone Requirement:
Thesis (6 Credits)
COMM 7300Thesis I

3

COMM 7301Thesis II

3

Oral Comprehensive Exam

3

Non-Thesis Option:
Communication Designated Electives (18 Credits)
Chosen from the following:
COMM 6319Seminar in Communication Education

3

COMM 6321Seminar in Instructional Communication

3

COMM 6323Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

3

COMM 6324Seminar in Organizational Communication

3

COMM 6326Seminar in Nonverbal Communication

3

COMM 6327Seminar in Health Communication

3

COMM 6329Special Topics in Communication

3

COMM 6330Seminar in Consulting and Training

3

COMM 6332Mass Media Campaigns

3

COMM 6333Seminar in Media Psychology

3

COMM 6334Seminar in Conflict Management

3

COMM 6339Independent Research

3

COMM 6351Communication Technology

3

COMM 6352Media, Race, and Ethnicity

3

COMM 6355Professional Speaking

3

COMM 6356Seminar in Persuasion

3

COMM 6360Historical Studies in Mass Media

3

Free Electives (6 Credits)

Any two graduate level courses (from any department)

Capstone Requirement:

Oral Comprehensive Exam

Written Comprehensive Exam

Total Credit Hours: 36

Comprehensive Examination

Non-thesis candidates for the Master of Arts in communication will be required to pass comprehensive written and oral examinations encompassing the information and materials in communication and related coursework.