Master of Arts in Communication
Customize Your Master's Degree to Your Interests and Goals
Our Master of Arts program is flexible enough to accommodate a broad range of career goals and objectives. Some of our students are working full-time in their chosen fields but want to earn a graduate degree that will advance their career. Other students envision a career in teaching and plan to pursue a Ph.D. or simply want the intellectual enrichment that a master’s degree offers.
As a graduate student pursuing an M. A. in Communication, you can choose one of two specializations that you can tailor to your interests and goals.
Select a Communication Specialization
As a graduate student in our program, you will choose either the Communication and Media Studies specialization or the Digital Communication Strategies specialization for an additional twelve hours of coursework.
Digital Communication Strategies
This specialization provides you with the conceptual foundation and practical training you’ll need to help organizations plan and execute effective digital communication strategies.
Communication and Media Studies
Courses in this specialization are structured as non-lecture proseminars. These intensive, focused seminars allow you to interact at a deep level with faculty and colleagues in your program. The discussion format allows you to simultaneously explore an area of research in-depth and discover your interests.
What Does the Program Course Work Look Like?
Students are required to take foundational core courses, select their specialization option and choose between either a thesis or non-thesis project during their master's program.
30 total credits including the following:
- Foundational Core Courses- 9 credits
- Choice of Specialization- 12 credits
- Choice of Thesis or Professional Project- 6 credits
- Elective Course- 3
Program Requirements and Course Work Overview
Visit the Marquette Bulletin for a complete list of course descriptions.
1. FOUNDATIONAL / CORE COURSES - 9 credits
The following courses are required of all students:
COMM 6001 Communication Theory in Context
COMM 6002 Communication Research in Action
COMM 6250 Communication as Ethical Practice
2. CHOOSE A SPECIALIZATION - 12 credits
Student must take 3 courses from one of the following options, plus one additional COMM class at the 6000 level. Each course has variable topics and may be repeated once.
Option 1: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES
All proseminar courses are three credit hours each.
COMM 6810 Digital Communication Strategies in Content
COMM 6815 Digital Communication Strategies in Metrics
COMM 6820 Digital Communication Strategies in Technologies
COMM 6825 Digital Communication Strategies in Leadership
Option 2: COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES
All proseminar courses are three credit hours each.
COMM 6953 Proseminar in Health, Science & Environment
COMM 6954 Proseminar in Media
COMM 6955 Proseminar in Organizations
COMM 6956 Proseminar in Public Life
COMM 6957 Proseminar in Relationships
COMM 6958 Proseminar in Technology
3. CHOOSE A THESIS OR PROFESSIONAL PROJECT + ELECTIVE - 9 Credits
Students are required to choose a specialization and have the option of completing a thesis program or a non-thesis program. All students are admitted to the thesis program (Option 1) but may transfer to the non-thesis program (Option 2) with the approval of the program director. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.000 with no grades below a C.
Option | Course Work Details |
---|---|
THESIS PROGRAM |
Students must complete 24 hours of course work plus 6 credit hours of thesis work (a total of 30 credit hours). Students must also submit an approved thesis and are required to give an oral defense of their thesis. Course Work - 9 credits COMM 6999 Thesis (6 credits) COMM Elective (3 credits) |
PROFESSIONAL PROJECT |
Non-thesis program students must complete 24 credit hours of course work, three credit hours of practicum and three credit hours of an approved professional project (a total of 30 credit hours). Course Work - 9 credits COMM 6998 Professional Project (3 credits) COMM 6964 Communication Practicum (3 credits) COMM Electives (3 credits) |
Let's Get Started.
The Graduate School will help you every step of the way. Not sure where to begin?
Submit your questions to the Graduate School and an admissions expert will contact you shortly.
To schedule a campus visit or begin your application, visit the Graduate School website.