Communication (MA)
Application for Admission
Students seeking admission to the program (accelerated or otherwise) will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Graduate School Application
- Applicants to graduate school at the University of Louisville must submit a Graduate Application for Admission. It can be accessed at this link.
- Previous Degrees
- Applicants need an undergraduate degree in Communication or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated competency in quantitative and qualitative-based courses
- Applicants who have completed, or are in the process of completing, a BA or BS in Communication at the University of Louisville must have taken Communication Research Methods or Communication Statistics and earned a grade of B or better.
- Applicants from outside of the department or the university must have earned a B or better in a course related to quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.
- Transcripts indicating a Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or Higher
- Applicants must submit an official transcript from each college attended. All University of Louisville transcripts will automatically be submitted with the completion of an application. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to Graduate Admissions, in order to be considered official.
- Undergraduate students applying to the accelerated master's degree program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 after earning 45 credit hours.
- Writing Sample
- A writing sample that demonstrates academic writing skill. There is no page limit, but usually a sample with 3 to 10 pages will be acceptable. Writing samples should show English language proficiency, meaningful research questions (process), theoretical and methodological awareness, thoroughness in research (evidence, data collection), and craft.
- Recommendations
- Three letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with the applicant's academic work. Of special interest are the applicant's research potential and qualitative and quantative reasoning skills.
- Personal Statement
- A personal introduction that includes the reasons for applying to this program, personal goals during and after completing the program, interest in obtaining an assistantship, and any other pertinent particulars.
- Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- The GRE is not required unless a student applies for an Assistantship. GRE scores are used as a metric for determining eligibility for departmental funding and are not a requirement for admission into the program.
Summary
Application Materials include:
- Official university transcripts
- Writing samples
- Three letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
- Graduate admissions application
Program Requirements
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Foundations | 15 | |
| COMM 506 | Ethical Problems in Communication - CUE, WR | 3 |
| COMM 605 | Communication Theory & Practice | 3 |
| COMM 615 | Foundations of Communication Research Design | 3 |
| COMM 616 | Qualitative Communication Research | 3 |
| COMM 617 | Quantitative Methods in Communication | 3 |
| Electives (4 Courses) | 12 | |
| COMM 505 | Perspectives on Religion and Media - WR, CUE | 3 |
| COMM 510 | Special Topics in Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMM 520 | Computer-Mediated Communication - WR | 3 |
| COMM 530 | Science Communication | 3 |
| COMM 532 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 538 | Intimate Communication - WR | 3 |
| COMM 540 | Public Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM 555 | Persuasive Movements | 3 |
| COMM 565 | Special Topics in Communication Service Learning - CUE | 3 |
| COMM 580 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 590 | Health Communication | 3 |
| COMM 603 | Communication Pedagogy | 3 |
| COMM 610 | Problems of Public Discourse | 3 |
| COMM 620 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 625 | Personality and Communication | 3 |
| COMM 640 | Communication in Social Service | 3 |
| COMM 650 | Corporate Communication | 3 |
| COMM 651 | Conflict Management | 3 |
| COMM 652 | Health Communication: Theory and Practice | 3 |
| COMM 653 | Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM 654 | Strategic Communication and Crisis Management | 3 |
| COMM 660 | Selected Topics in Mass Media | 3 |
| COMM 670 | Directed Readings in Communication | 3 |
| COMM 675 | Risk Communication | 3 |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics | 3 |
| COMM 698 | Thesis | 3 |
| Thesis or Non-Thesis Option | 3 | |
| Select thesis or non-thesis option | ||
| Thesis | ||
| COMM 698 | Thesis | 3 |
| Non-Thesis Option | ||
| COMM 600 | Practicum | 3 |
Pending approval of the department program coordinator, and approval by the Graduate School, a student may transfer up to six (6) credit hours of graduate credit from another institution.
Non-thesis option: Students electing a non-thesis option will complete the 30 credit hours specified above, with two differences. Students who select the non-thesis option will substitute one 600-level practicum and one elective for the six (6) credit hours of thesis. The non-thesis option also will include a Comprehensive Examination administered by Department Faculty.
Thesis option: Students electing a thesis option will complete the 30 credit hours specified above, with one difference. Students who select the thesis option will complete a total six (6) credit hours of COMM 698 Thesis course in two semesters (three (3) credit hours of COMM 698 in each semester). The thesis option also will include an oral defense administered by thesis committee and Department Faculty in attendance.
Experiential Component
The Master of Arts does not require an experiential component. However, students may choose to do a practicum in a private business, community organization, or government agency that deals with communication. Students may complete the practicum in two ways. A student may turn current work or volunteer experience into a research project, or a student not previously affiliated with the practicum site may develop a project useful to the organization. In both cases, the student will work with a Communication Department faculty member to shape the project and will write a formal paper dealing with the project. Students who choose the practicum will be applying knowledge acquired in Communication coursework directly to area needs, thus serving the community and helping to build stronger university/community ties.
