DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION

MASTER OF ARTS PROGRAM

POLICY STATEMENT

(November 2010)

 

 

Part I.  Program History

 

A.        The goal of this program is to produce competent consumers of empirical communication research and theory. The program is designed to prepare a student for admission to a Ph.D. program in the Communication as well as to prepare a student for a career if the MA is considered a terminal degree.

 

B.         The program was granted permanent status in the early 1970s.

           

C.        The Department of Communication offers a Master of Arts degree in Communication.  A graduate student may concentrate in one of the department’s two primary areas of emphasis (interpersonal/organizational communication or mass communication), or concentrate in public relations, or select a more general program.  In either case, the course work and related elements of the program will provide the student with the necessary background to undertake the research required to complete a MA thesis or to pass the comprehensive examination for successful completion of the degree.

 

Part II. Admission

 

            A.        Students who are admitted to the MA program in Communication have a GPA of at least 3.0, both overall and in their undergraduate major. All applicants must take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General (Aptitude) Test.  Applicants are expected to achieve minimum scores between 500 and 600 on the verbal and quantitative portions of the GRE.  Subject (Advanced) Tests offered by the GRE are not required.  If the applicant, in the course of completing graduate school applications, takes other relevant national examinations, such as the Miller Analogies Test (MAT), Law School Admissions Test (LSAT), or Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT), the applicant may forward those scores to us.  However, none can be substituted for the GRE. Applicants for admission whose native language is not English must take, in addition to the Graduate Record Examination, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and receive a score of at least 650 for the paper based exam, 280 for the computer based exam, and 114 for the internet version.  Any such applicant, who also is applying for a graduate assistantship from the department, also must take the Test of Spoken English (TSE).  All scores must be received before an admissions and/or aid decision is rendered. 

 

            B.         Students are expected to have completed a BA or BS degree prior to enrollment in the program. All applicants must submit an official copy of his/her undergraduate transcript(s) from all schools attended (if applicant had undertaken prior graduate study, transcript from those programs also must be submitted). 

 

            C.        The Department of Communication admits applicants to the graduate program once a year for the semester beginning in September.  Applicants applying for admission and a department graduate teaching assistantship should have their application file completed by February 10th for admission in September.  Applicants applying for admission only should have their application file completed by May 1. After February 10th, the Graduate Committee meets periodically and makes decisions regarding graduate admissions. Applicants for teaching assistantships are ranked according to their scholastic ability and the needs of the department.  They are then interviewed by a committee, if necessary, and assistantships are awarded around March 15th

 

            D.        There are no special competencies needed for admission to the program.

 

            E.         Admission Categories:  regular; there are no provisional admissions.

 

            F.         Three letters of recommendation must be received by the department before the applicant can be considered for acceptance to the program.  In addition to the statement, which must accompany the graduate application, the applicant must write a short essay addressing the following issues: (a) Upon what past experiences and interests do you base your present decision to apply to apply for admission to the graduate program in communication?  (b) What is your definition of communication in the context of your interest area? c) How does study for the MA in communication in our department fit into your short- and long-term goals and career aspirations?  (d) Is there any other information, not covered elsewhere in your application, which you would like to share with the department’s Graduate Admissions Committee?  This essay usually is three to five pages in length.

 

            G.        Admission to the graduate program is competitive. Those who meet stated requirements are not guaranteed admission, nor are those who fail to meet all of those requirements necessarily precluded from admission if they offer other appropriate strengths.

 

 

Part III:  Academic

 

            A.        Degree Requirements

 

                        1.         The basic requirements for an MA degree are given in the university graduate catalogue, available from the Office of Graduate Studies.  A minimum of thirty credits of graduate level courses (600 or above) are required for the Master’s degree.

 

                                    a.         The Department of Communication offers two alternative tracks for obtaining the MA degree: the thesis and non-thesis (i.e., comprehensive examination) track.  These differ primarily in terms of (1) the ultimate goals and career direction of the student, and (2) the exit project required of the student.  The thesis option is a traditional MA degree.  This option provides the student with a major research experience, generally in preparation for further graduate study at the doctoral level.  The non-thesis or comprehensive examination track is considered a terminal or final degree and is designed for students who do not intend to pursue their education beyond the MA degree.  Students will be required to declare their intention to pursue one of these tracks at the end of the first year of their program.

 

                                    b.         Regardless of this choice, the basic core requirements of the program remain the same.  Of the 30 hours required for graduation, 15 hours (5 courses) are required of every student.  These courses are:

 

                                                COMM 601 - Theory and Epistemology in Communication

                                                COMM 603 – Communication Research Methods – Procedures

COMM 604 – Communication Research Methods – Analysis

                                                COMM 630 – Interpersonal Communication Theory

COMM 670 – Mass Communication Theory

 

                                    c.         Students who select the thesis option must complete 6 hours of COMM 869, Thesis Credit.  Students in the thesis-track will have 9 hours in electives and 6 credits of COMM 869, Thesis Research; students in the non-thesis track will have 15 hours of electives.

 

                                    d.         Each candidate for the MA degree may take a portion of their graduate work, normally not more than six credits, outside the Communication Department in a related area and may have one member of his/her committee from this related area.  However, a minimum of 24 credits, which include COMM 601, 603, 604, 630, 670 and COMM 869 credits, must be taken from the Communication Department.

 

                                    e.         In addition to the courses listed in the Catalogue, experimental courses are offered occasionally.  Independent study (COMM 666) opportunities are also available.  The independent study hours must be limited because of faculty time.  However, they are sometimes necessary to assure the breadth and/or depth a student needs to pursue his/her research.  These should be worked out very carefully with the faculty member and cannot take the place of thesis credit.

 

                                    f.          Another opportunity for graduate students that can be very important learning experience is the graduate internship.  In this program eligible students may take the course, COMM 664, for 3-6 credits or may take advantage of other full-time internships (U.N., State Department) for an extended period of time.  A letter grade is given for this course.  These internships might very well aid the student in his/her thesis research.  Graduate internships normally should be taken late in the student’s program.

 

                        2.         Students must maintain an active registration (taking courses or sustaining status) in order to receive their degree.

 

                        3.         Course substitutions must be cleared by the Director of Graduate Studies, the student’s advisor, and the chair of the department.

 

                        4.         All grades must meet those outlined by the University.

 

                        5.         Incoming students who do not have adequate background, as determined from their transcripts, may be required to learn some of the important concepts in communication.  This may be accomplished by taking specific course(s), an independent study course, or by reading on one’s own.  In no case will credit toward the MA degree be granted for this work.  Applicants whose undergraduate programs are in fields other than Communication should contact the Graduate Director for further information.

 

                        6.         Students must be proficient in English (oral and written).

 

            B.         Committees for exams or the thesis

 

                        1.         The Graduate Director serves as the advisor for all incoming students and works with them to develop an appropriate plan for study and course selection. By the end of the first year or study, students should ask another member of the faculty to serve as their permanent advisor.

 

                        2.         Students, whether writing a thesis or taking the comprehensive exam, must set up a committee of three faculty members, one of whom will serve as the chair of the committee. Typically, the student will ask a faculty member to serve as chair of their committee and upon the advice of the new advisor ask other members of the faculty to be part of their committee.

 

                        3.         The comprehensive exam should be taken in the second half of the last semester of course work. Ideally, the exam should be taken before spring break.  Students should begin their preparation for the comprehensive exam at the beginning of the semester prior to their last semester of course work.

 

                        4.         Policies for taking the comprehensive exam

 

                                    a.         The precomprehensive exam meeting with the advisor will serve to coordinate areas of knowledge for the exam and specify the student’s area of specialization.  This meeting should be held about six weeks prior to the comprehensive exam.

 

                                    b.         The comprehensive exam is a six-hour exam.  Two hours focus upon communication theory, two hours on communication research methodology, and two hours in the selected area of specialization. The exam is taken in the communication department within a week-long period.

 

                                    c.         The oral component of the comprehensive exam will be held as soon as possible after the student has completed the written portion of the exam.  The student will meet with members of the examination committee and will answer any additional questions of the committee members.

 

                                    d.         If the student does not pass one or more sections of the comprehensive exam, these sections may be taken again.  Only one repeat examination will be permitted.  If the retake is still deficient the student may pass the comprehensive exam if they demonstrate proficiency in the oral portion of the exam.

 

                        5.         Research proposals involving human subjects must be approved by the student’s thesis committee. The Chair of the committee will work with the student to prepare the protocol that will be submitted to the University Committee on Human Subjects.

 

                        6.         Students who select the thesis option must complete 6 hours of COMM 869, Thesis Credit.  The thesis may take a number of forms.  It may be a research project employing experimental procedures, survey research, content analysis, interaction analysis, as well as historical, descriptive, or field studies. The thesis may also be an actual on-the-job solution to a communication problem in industry, government, or other organization (written in such a form as to serve as a model for further investigation).  In any case there will be an oral examination of the MA thesis by the candidate’s thesis committee after each member of this committee has had time to review the project thoroughly.

 

                                    a.         Once an advisor is selected and agrees to serve, the advisor and graduate student will meet to discuss thesis topics.  The student should present to their advisor a brief outline for a thesis topic.  The advisor and graduate student will then ask two other faculty members in the department to join the advisor to sit as a student’s thesis committee.  If appropriate, one of the three members of the thesis committee may be a member of the graduate faculty from another department.  The appropriate form, listing the members of the thesis committee, with their signatures, must be completed.  The composition of the thesis committee must be confirmed by the Graduate Director.  The graduate students should then prepare a formal thesis pre-proposal. 

 

                                    b.         The thesis pre-proposal, normally 5-10 pages in length, should include reasons for undertaking the research topic, the graduate student’s qualifications for pursuing this research question, a statement on the literature to be searched, and the proposed method.  A copy of this proposal should be provided to each member of the thesis committee at least one week prior to the thesis proposal committee meeting.  The graduate student and advisor are responsible for setting the time for the thesis proposal committee meeting.  This meeting should be held by the end of the second semester of course work for all full-time students and by the completion of required course work for part-time students.

 

                                    c.         The thesis pre-proposal committee meeting is designed to assist the graduate student in gaining greater clarity regarding the potential research topic.  It is anticipated that this meeting will entail a discussion of possible pitfalls, alternative thesis topics, recommended methods, suggested course work, etc.  The goal of the meeting is to facilitate the student’s ability to further define and refine the proposed thesis topic into a manageable and worthwhile pursuit.  Students may be asked to submit a revised thesis proposal prior to the granting of formal approval of the thesis proposal by the committee.  In most cases, however, any changes recommended by the committee will be overseen by the advisor who has major responsibility for insuring the quality of the thesis.  A second purpose of the meeting is to confirm whether the thesis committee as formed is comprised of the most appropriate faculty members.  Should a change in advisor and/or committee membership be appropriate and/or desired, the graduate student must file a new thesis committee form.

 

                                    d.         After the pre-proposal is approved, students should write a full thesis proposal encompassing the first several chapters of their thesis (conceptualization of the problems, literature search, and research procedures/method).  Students should work closely with the advisor on the development of the prospectus.  The thesis prospectus should be completed in the summer between the first and second year of study; the part-time student should complete the thesis prospectus immediately after completing all required course work.

 

                                    e.         Upon completion and approval of the thesis proposal by the advisor, the advisor and graduate student will arrange for a thesis proposal committee meeting.  This meeting will not be convened until the advisor judges the proposal to be of satisfactory quality.  Students must provide each member of the thesis committee with a copy of the proposal at least two weeks prior to the meeting.  For full-time students this meeting should be held early in the fall semester of the second year of study.  Part-time students should schedule this meeting as soon as possible after the completion of the proposal.

 

                                    f.          The purpose of the thesis proposal committee meeting is to provide the graduate student with specific suggestions regarding the conceptualization of the problem/topic, the literature searched, and the specific conduct of the research inquiry.  The proposal must be approved by the thesis committee before major thesis research (e.g., data collection) is undertaken.  In some cases, the committee may require a student to submit a revised proposal if major changes are mandated.  In most cases, however, any changes in the thesis proposal recommended by the committee will be incorporated into the thesis research and overseen by the advisor.  If appropriate and in consultation with the advisor, the graduate student may wish to meet formally with his/her thesis committee after the proposal meeting and before the actual completion of the thesis.

 

                                    g.         Upon completion of the thesis, the student will meet with his/her thesis committee for an oral defense of the thesis.  All members of the committee must be present at this meeting.  The defense is a public meeting and as such other members of the department and university community may attend if they so desire.  At this meeting the student defends the thesis and answers any questions about the thesis and field of communication the committee deems relevant.

 

                                    h.         Often there are corrections, changes, or clarifications to be made in the thesis after the oral defense.  Individual committee members must approve the revised thesis prior to the granting of final approval of the thesis.  The final approved thesis should then be prepared according to the requirements of the graduate school and submitted to them.  Final approval of the thesis by the advisor and committee members signals successful completion of the MA degree.

 

                                    I.          Students should note that the thesis must conform to the style requirements as published by the graduate school.  Students are encouraged to obtain a copy of the graduate school thesis manual early in their graduate program.

 

                                    j.          In addition to those copies required by the university, students are required to provide their advisor with a bound copy of their finished thesis.

 

            C.        Timetable and definition of satisfactory progress toward the degree

 

                        1.         A full time academic load is 9 credits each semester during the first year of study and 6 credits each semester during the second year of study. A satisfactory part-time load is 3 credits (1 course) each semester.

 

                        2.         Students are expected to maintain a 3.0 GPA in all their graduate level courses.

 

                        3.         Timetable for degree completion

 

                                    a.         Admitted around March 15.

 

                                    b.         Enter the program the following September.

 

                                    c.         The First Year:  Fall Semester

 

                                                1.         Meet/talk with the Graduate Director prior to the start of Fall Classes.

 

                                                2.         Enroll for nine credits of graduate course work including COMM 601, Epistemology and Theory in Communication, and COMM 603, Research Methods – Procedures.

 

                                                3.         Discuss interests with faculty members.

 

                                                4.         In consultation with the Graduate Director, select advisor.

 

                                    d.         The First Year: Spring Semester

 

                                                1.         Enroll for nine credits of course work, including COMM 604, Research Methods – Analysis.

 

                                                2.         Talk or meet with Graduate Director to finalize plans.

 

                                                3.         For students in thesis track, finalize thesis pre-proposal; hold thesis pre-proposal meeting at the end of the spring semester.

                                    e.         Summer between First and Second Year of Study

 

                                                1.         Prepare thesis proposal.

 

                                    f.          The Second Year: Fall Semester

 

                                                1.         Enroll for six credits of course work, including three thesis credits for students in the thesis track.

 

                                                2.         For students in the thesis track, hold thesis proposal meeting early in semester.

 

                                                3.         Begin thesis research after successful thesis proposal meeting.

 

                                                4.         For those in non-thesis track meet with advisor to set up comprehensive examination committee.

 

                                    g.         The Second Year: Winter Term

 

                                                1.         Continue to work on thesis during Winter Term

                                                2.         Begin to prepare for comprehensive exams

 

                                    h.         The Second Year: Spring Semester

 

                                                1.         Enroll for six credits of course work, including three thesis credits for students in the thesis track.

 

                                                2.         For students in the thesis track hold thesis defense by mid-March

 

                                                3.         For those in non-thesis track set up meet with advisor by the middle of February and schedule the comprehensive exam by the end of March.

 

                                                4.         Prepare thesis and submit to graduate school by published deadline.

 

                                                5.         Take comprehensive exam.

 

                                                6.         Graduate in the Spring Commencement.

 

Part IV: Financial Aid

 

            A.        Financial Awards         

                        1.         The Department of Communication offers a teaching assistantship that consists of a tuition scholarship plus a 9-month stipend. Financial aid is granted to full time students and includes two years of funding. Awards are made as part of the admissions process and awards typically are made solely on the basis of academic merit. There are no summer appointments.

 

                        2.         Students on contract are assigned to teach sections of Comm212 and may also be asked to help proctor exams or cover a class for a member of the faculty who is out of town on university/academic business.

 

                        3.         Awards are renewed as long as the student remains in good academic standing (maintains a 3.0 GPA) and is doing an adequate job in their teaching obligations.

 

Part V: Departmental Operations

 

            A.        General Student responsibilities

 

                        1.         Students are expected to provide an up-to-date address and phone number at the beginning of the academic year or whenever a change has occurred.

 

                        2.         Students are issued keys as needed and must follow departmental procedure in securing offices at all times. The office copy machine may not be used by students for their personal copying. Office phones may only be used for local calls. The TA office has several computers that may be used for student work. Personal files may not be stored for an extended period of time. Each TA is given a department mailbox that should be used for official university business.

 

            B.         Student government and organizations - one TA will be asked to serve on the graduate student government association.

 

            C.        Travel for professional meetings or presentations

 

                        1.         Funds may be provided to help graduate students travel to conferences if the department budget allows. Students may also request funding from other departments, such as the Office of Graduate Studies, on campus.

 

 

 

November 2010