Communication (MA)

Admission Requirements

Students seeking general admission to the program (accelerated or otherwise) will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. 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 applying for admission from outside of the department and/or UofL must have earned a B or better in a course related to quantitative and/or qualitative research methods.

2. Demonstrated competency in quantitative and qualitative reasoning via an interview with the graduate committee. 

3. Two positive letters of recommendation, preferably from relevant faculty who can comment on the applicant's research potential, especially the applicant's qualitative and quantitative reasoning. 

  • Applicants who have completed, or are in the process of completing, a BA or BS in Communication at the University of Louisville must include a letter of recommendation from a professor who has taught Communication Research Methods or Communication Statistics. This letter should focus on the applicant's quantitative and/or qualitative abilities. 
  • Applicants applying for admission from outside of our department must include a letter of recommendation from a professor who taught the applicant in a course commensurate to Communication Research Methods that emphasizes quantitative and/or qualitative research methods. 

4. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. 

  • Students applying to the accelerated master's degree program must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 after earning 45 credit hours. 

5. At least two writing samples that demonstrate competency in the formulation and execution of communication-related research using quantitative, qualitative, and/or rhetorical reasoning. Writing samples should show English language proficiency, meaningful research question (process), theoretical and methodological awareness, thoroughness in research (evidence, data collection), and craft. 

Students seeking a teaching or research assistantship will be required to submit official GRE scores. GRE scores will be used exclusively as a metric for determining whether applicants should receive departmental funding and will not necessarily be use as an admission condition.

Applicants need an undergraduate degree in Communication or a related discipline. Conditional admission is possible for students with lower undergraduate GPA.

Application materials include: 

  • Official transcripts showing all degrees awarded and all undergraduate and graduate work (all courses) completed from each accredited college/university previously attended.
  • Two required writing samples
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A graduate admissions application
  • Application fee
 

Program Requirements

Foundations15
COMM 506Ethical Problems in Communication - CUE, WR3
COMM 605Communication Theory & Practice3
COMM 615Foundations of Communication Research Design3
COMM 616Qualitative Communication Research3
COMM 617Quantitative Methods in Communication3
Electives (4 Courses)12
COMM 505Perspectives on Religion and Media - CUE, WR3
COMM 510Special Topics in Communication Studies3
COMM 520Computer-Mediated Communication - WR3
COMM 530Science Communication3
COMM 532Intercultural Communication3
COMM 538Intimate Communication - WR3
COMM 540Public Communication Campaigns3
COMM 555Persuasive Movements3
COMM 565Special Topics in Communication Service Learning - CUE3
COMM 580Interpersonal Communication3
COMM 590Health Communication3
COMM 603Communication Pedagogy3
COMM 610Problems of Public Discourse3
COMM 620Organizational Communication3
COMM 625Personality and Communication3
COMM 640Communication in Social Service3
COMM 650Corporate Communication3
COMM 651Conflict Management3
COMM 652Health Communication: Theory and Practice3
COMM 653Integrated Marketing Communication Campaigns3
COMM 654Strategic Communication and Crisis Management3
COMM 660Selected Topics in Mass Media3
COMM 670Directed Readings in Communication3
COMM 675Risk Communication3
COMM 690Special Topics3
COMM 698Thesis3
Thesis or Non-Thesis Option3
Select thesis or non-thesis option
Thesis
COMM 698Thesis3
Non-Thesis Option
COMM 600Practicum3

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.