Mar 29, 2024  
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Communication [M.A.]


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Revised Program [Fall 2021]


For students who have completed undergraduate degrees with majors or minors in communication or speech, this program prepares them for careers demanding sophisticated knowledge of human communication or for doctoral graduate work. Interpersonal, small group, organizational, intercultural, and speech communication are stressed.

Program Admission


Graduate School Application

After reviewing the admission requirements below, please select the appropriate application. The University is transitioning application platforms; pay close attention when selecting the application below.

The program you are applying to may not accept applicants every semester.

For additional information regarding the application process, please see Graduate Admissions or International Admissions.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Graduate School Requirements

A four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or an equivalent degree from a non-U.S. institution. In addition, a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale, or 3.0 in the last half of the undergraduate program, is required for full admission. Applicants who do not meet minimum admission requirements may be considered for conditional admission. See International Admissions for international applicant requirements.

Applicants must also meet the following program requirements:

  • Have a major or minor in communication or a related discipline

School Information


Communication, Media & Theatre Arts | Dennis O’Grady, Ph.D., Director | 121 Judy Sturgis Hill, 734.487.6956, dpatrick1@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Graduate Coordinators:

Jenny Kindred, Ph.D., 713M Pray-Harrold, 734.487.4225, jkindred@emich.edu

Jamie Ward, Ph.D., 124 Judy Sturgis Hill, 734.487.0970, jward29@emich.edu

Jonathan Carter, Ph.D., 607B Pray Harrold, 734.487.0382, carte58@emich.edu

Degree Requirements: 30 hours


The M.A. in Communication requires students to complete the following:

  1. Early in their graduate work, prepare an official program of study in consultation with an assigned graduate advisor and file it with the Office of Records and Registration;
  2. Successfully meet all conditions stipulated upon entry into the program; and
  3. Complete, with an overall GPA of at least 3.0, a minimum of 30 hours of approved course work as identified in the official program of study.

The required 30 hours are to be distributed among required courses, degree requirement, and restricted electives as follows.

Degree Requirement & Restricted Electives: 24 hours


 Students choose one of the following three options.

Option I - Thesis


  • Required Courses: 6 hours

  • 3 hrs Taken twice
  •  

    Restricted Elective Courses: 18 hours

    In consultation with the graduate advisor, select 18 credit hours of COMM courses from the list below.

Option II - Project


  • Required Course: 3 hours

  • 3 hrs
  •  

    Restricted Elective Courses: 21 hours

    In consultation with the graduate advisor, select 21 credit hours of COMM courses from the list below.

Option III - Exam


Students may also elect to take a program exam.

In addition to taking the exam, students will select 24 credit hours of COMM courses from the list below in consultation with the graduate advisor.

Available Restricted Elective Courses


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