Master of Arts in Communication Studies
Graduate Program Mission Statement
We invite students to deepen their scholarly inquiry skills and critical engagement in communication with a focus on social justice. We use multiple approaches for the advanced study of communication processes to understand complex human problems and discern ethical choices in local and global communities. Our program prepares students for diverse careers that benefit from advanced training in communication including teaching, research, and work in public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. We are also widely recognized for cultivating future college teachers through hands-on training in critical communication pedagogy. Students joining our program will contribute to a rigorous and collaborative cohort and receive meaningful mentorship from caring and engaged faculty.
Admission to Program
Communication Studies is an interdisciplinary field building on Humanities and Social Sciences approaches and perspectives. Applicants with a variety of undergraduate majors may be considered for admission to the program. California State University universities require a 3.0 or higher grade point average to be considered for admission to a graduate program.
Applicants should use Cal State Apply to submit:
- A personal statement describing the applicant’s goals and motivations for applying to the graduate program.
- The contact information of two persons who can submit letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s academic skills.
- A polished writing sample of previous academic work that highlights experience with academic writing.
Applicants may be admitted conditionally with additional criteria to be met if the admissions committee feels it is appropriate. The GRE is not required for admission to our program; however, a GRE writing score of 4.0 or higher may be submitted in lieu of an academic writing sample.
Program Learning Outcomes
Graduates of our program will emphasize social justice and ethical perspectives by:
- Reading, evaluating and synthesizing primary scholarship.
- Applying, critiquing, and/or extending communication focused theory and scholarship.
- Actively engaging in, reflecting upon and analyzing communication processes in their local and/or global communities.
Written English Proficiency Requirement
The Graduate Studies office requires graduate programs to evaluate graduate student writing for Writing Level 1 and Writing Level 2.
The applicant's writing sample submitted as part of the application materials is evaluated for Writing Level 1.
A student's ongoing progress and development in writing is monitored in subsequent coursework for Writing Level 2. Achievement of Writing Level 2 is necessary before a student continues to the culminating experience.
Graduate Certificates
Graduate students are eligible to pursue additional Certificates alongside their coursework, including the Conflict Resolution Certificate.
Communication Studies (M.A.) — Minimum 35 units
Core Requirements (8 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 700 | Introduction to Graduate Study | 4 |
| Select one: | 4 | |
| Multiple Methods in Communication Research | ||
| Field Research Strategies | ||
| Research Strategies in Language and Social Interaction | ||
Graduate Seminars (16 units)
Selected on advisement. Must be from COMM 700 to COMM 797.
Electives (8 units)
Selected on advisement.
Culminating Experience (3 units)
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| Select one: | ||
| COMM 894 | Creative Work Project | 3 |
| COMM 896EXM & COMM 896 | Culminating Experience Examination and Directed Readings in Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMM 898 | Master's Thesis | 3 |
Note: No more than 8 units may be from upper-division courses regardless of department; no more than 8 units, graduate or undergraduate, may be from an allied department; and no more than 8 units may be in any combination of:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 850 | Teaching Communication | 4 |
| COMM 851 | Internship in Teaching Communication | 2 |
| COMM 852 | Supervision of Teaching Communication | 1 |
| COMM 885 | Graduate Projects in the Teaching of Communication | 4 |
| COMM 899 | Independent Study for Investigation in Communication Studies | 1-4 |
No more than 4 units may be listed on the ATC for any combination of COMM 851, COMM 852, and COMM 885.
Master's Thesis or Creative Work Project
Each candidate who selects the option of a Master's Thesis or Creative Work Project must submit a written proposal for approval and complete the department's Description of Proposed Culminating Experience form. After the proposal is approved and a supervising committee of two or more faculty members is established, the Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement form is signed and filed in the Division of Graduate Studies office. Following the candidate’s successful oral defense of the completed thesis or creative work project, a Final Report of Completion for the Culminating Experience is signed and filed in the Division of Graduate Studies.
Master's Written Comprehensive Examination
Each candidate who selects the option of Master's Written Comprehensive Examination must establish a three-member faculty committee and complete the department's Description of Proposed Culminating Experience form. Next, the Proposal for Culminating Experience Requirement form must be signed and filed in the Division of Graduate Studies. The candidate then enrolls in COMM 896 to prepare for the examination and COMM 896EXM and completes the examination.