Program Description

The M.A. degree in Communication Studies provides an opportunity for students to develop individual programs of theory, research, and application among the areas of interpersonal, organizational, and public communication. The program is designed for students who seek careers as communication professionals or who intend to pursue further graduate study in the field.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should follow the admissions process described in the Graduate Catalog, or at the Graduate Admissions website at www.marshall.edu/graduate/admissions/how-to-apply-for-admission.

In addition, to be unconditionally admitted to the Communication Studies department, an applicant must have:

• An undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale for all previously completed undergraduate university work. 
• A written statement of educational and professional goals addressing how the Communication Studies M.A. program will help achieve those goals. (500 words)

International students and applicants who have earned a degree from a non-English institution must provide proof of English proficiency as follows: minimum of 80 on TOEFL IBT (or 550 paper-based); IELTS 6.5.

Provisional Admission

The Communication Studies program may admit applicants provisionally who have an undergraduate degree GPA between 2.5 and 2.99 on a 4.0 scale. Students admitted provisionally must attain a 3.0 GPA their first semester in the program or be academically dismissed. 

Students admitted provisionally will not be eligible for a teaching assistantship their first semester in the program. 

Assistantships and Financial Support

The Department of Communication Studies has funds available in the form of assistantships to provide financial support for graduate students. For complete information on graduate assistantships please see www.marshall.edu/graduate/graduate-assistantships-2/graduate-assistantship-overview.

For complete information on other financial support opportunities please see www.marshall.edu/graduate.

Program Requirements

A Plan of Study approved by the department/program and the academic dean must be filed in the Graduate Studies office before the student registers for the 12th semester hour. Students prepare a Plan of Study in conjunction with a committee of three graduate faculty members. At least one member of the committee must have full graduate faculty status.

The Plan of Study must include CMM 601 Quantitative Research in Comm and CMM 606 Engaging Comm Theories. A total of 36 credit hours is required for graduation. Students who write a thesis may earn six of those credit hours for the thesis. A minor or cognate outside the department may be approved by a student’s committee.

A written comprehensive exam, prepared and evaluated by the student’s committee, is required. A candidate who writes a thesis is also required to pass an oral examination on the thesis.