Campuses:
Twin Cities campus
This is archival data. This system was retired as of August 21, 2023 and the information on this page has not been updated since then. For current information, visit catalogs.umn.edu.
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Twin Cities Campus
Communication Studies M.A.Communication Studies
College of Liberal Arts
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Communication Studies, 225 Ford Hall, 224 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-624-5800; fax: 612-624-6544).
Website: http://www.comm.umn.edu
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
Communication studies focuses on the study of communicative dimensions of human experience using humanistic and social scientific methods. This program prepares students to become researchers and teachers, offering three concentrations: interpersonal communication, rhetorical studies, and critical media studies. Coursework in rhetoric and public discourse studies emphasizes humanistic methods and includes argumentation and persuasion, ethics, rhetorical theory and criticism, and political rhetoric. Students may also pursue special interests in rhetorical philosophies, movements and campaigns, or popular culture and critical theory. The program should be supplemented by coursework outside the department. An understanding of history, political science, sociology, or cultural studies is recommended. Coursework in interpersonal communication has a social scientific orientation. Most students focus on a subarea such as small group, intercultural, interpersonal communication, or problems (e.g., decision making, conflict resolution). Coursework outside the department is usually concentrated in one or more of the behavioral sciences. Students are expected to develop a command of research techniques and a thorough knowledge of statistics. Coursework in critical media studies emphasizes qualitative, historical, critical, and empirical methods and includes television studies, feminist media studies, ethnic and racial minorities in media, critical media literacy, political economy of media, popular culture, environmental communication, and music. Coursework outside the department is usually in the fields of American studies, political science, cultural studies, mass communication, or women's studies.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.50.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
All applicants must have completed at least 15 undergraduate credits in speech or communication courses related to their proposed area of emphasis in the department. A brochure detailing prerequisite requirements is available from the department or from the department website. All prerequisites must be completed before admission.
Special Application Requirements:
Applicants must submit scores from the GRE General Test, transcripts of all post-secondary academic work, and a written statement of academic and occupational objectives. Three letters of recommendation and a writing sample are required of all applicants for assistantships or fellowships.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
15
major credits,
6
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is written and oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
21 to 27
major credits and
6 to 12
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written and oral.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:A publishable, article-length paper consisting of the student's original research.
This program may not be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.50
is required for students to remain in good standing.
It is recommended that students pursue a graduate minor to fulfill the requirement of 6 credits outside the Communication Studies major.
Plan A
Major Concentrations
Student select two concentrations for their master's degree.
Courses are selected in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies.
Take 15 or more credit(s) from the following:
Primary Concentration
Take 6 - 12 credit(s) from the following:
·
COMM 5xxx
·
COMM 8xxx
·
Secondary Concentration
Take 3 - 9 credit(s) from the following:
·
COMM 5xxx
·
COMM 8xxx
Outside the Major -- Related Fields
Take 6 credits outside Communication Studies for a master's minor or in related fields.
Thesis Credits
Take 10 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
COMM 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
(1.0-18.0 cr)
Plan B
Take 27 - 33 credit(s) from the following:
Major Concentrations
Students select two concentrations for their master's degree.
Courses are selected in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies.
Take 21 - 27 credit(s) from the following:
Primary Concentration
Take 18 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
COMM 5xxx
·
COMM 8xxx
·
Secondary Concentration
Take 3 or more credit(s) from the following:
·
COMM 5xxx
·
COMM 8xxx
·
Outside the Major -- Related Fields
Take 6-12 credits outside Communication Studies for a master's minor or in related fields.
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