Communication, MA

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The Master’s degree program within the Department of Communication and Creative Arts at Purdue University Northwest offers a broad range of courses covering theories and research methodologies in the following areas: mass communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication, performance studies, political communication, and rhetoric. The program is highly flexible and allows each graduate student to plan his/her course of study in consultation with a graduate faculty or advisor. After admission into the program, students will meet with advisor to determine their course of study based on their interests and professional goals.

The program was originally designed to meet the needs of individuals who live and work in northwest Indiana and who want to complete advanced courses of study in communication studies. Today, a diverse student body–including international–is enrolled in the program. Numerous graduate students have successfully completed the program to qualify for career advancement, to prepare for doctoral study, or to satisfy their own curiosity about the most fundamental human behavior: Communication.

Program Requirements

Required Courses (6 Credits)

COM 50000 - Introduction To Graduate Studies In Communication
COM 58400 - Historical/Critical Research In Communication
Content specific areas are available in Rhetoric and Persuasion, Media Studies, and Interpersonal and Small Group Communication. Each content-specific area will require a mix of theory and research/application courses.

Content-specific areas (18 credit hours required, with 3 credit hours required from each area)

Rhetoric and Persuasion

Media Studies

Interpersonal/Small Group Communication

Electives (12 Credits)

Twelve (12) hours of ELECTIVE coursework – Note: No more than 6 hours may be taken outside the department, no more than 6 hours Directed Study courses. Two 400-level COM courses may be taken for graduate elective credit if not part of an undergraduate plan of study.
Additional Requirements: Present a Communication research paper to a professional conference. Complete Comprehensive exams the final semester of study (semester of graduation).

Advisor Selection/Examination Committee

Upon completion of 9 credit hours, student must select a graduate faculty mentor/advisor (examination committee chair).
The student and the advisor will plan a course of study for the remaining 27 credit hours.
Prior to the completion of the 24th credit hour, students must select two remaining committee members for their advisory committees.
The student and the committee will discuss and determine an appropriate graduation examination format. Usual options include: Comprehensive Exams; Conference Quality Paper; Performance/Creative Project.

Transfer of Credits

No more than 6 credits (2 courses) from other accredited institutions, taken within 10 years prior to completion of degree program, may be accepted at the discretion of the Department. Courses considered for transfer must carry a grade of B- or better.

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