Communication Studies, M.A.

The M.A. Program in Communication Studies prepares students to create responsible communication and to achieve greater equity and inclusion in interpersonal relationships, workplaces, and society.

The curriculum prepares students for careers in academia or for careers as socially conscious workers in non- or for-profit organizations. Students will leave with expertise in Communication Studies grounded in theories and techniques for effective advocacy, policy development, and interpersonal interactions.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

explain theories, concepts, and figures in the communication studies discipline and how the study of communication is applied to academic and non-academic settings with emphases on engagement and application.
describe different communication contexts and situations and apply appropriate communication strategies and/or approaches to navigate practical communication-oriented situations.
integrate and synthesize theory and research from across disciplines to make ethical and informed interventions.
apply systematic inquiry using communication studies research methods to develop and answer questions related to engaged and/or academic communication topics, problems, and questions.

Contact Information

Benjamin Krueger, Ph.D.
benjaminkrueger@unr.edu
(775) 784-6863

Department of Communication Studies
(775) 784-3689

Admission Requirements

Students wishing to apply to the Master of Arts degree program should submit the following required materials:

Statement of Purpose for Graduate Study.
Within your statement of purpose, you should address your qualifications, goals, and expectations for graduate study. Address how earning an MA in our program fits with your career or educational goals. Include the specific area of communication studies research or communication issue you wish to explore more as part of your degree program, which could also include faculty you would like to work with while in the program. In order for us to best assess if our program is a good fit, the statement should be clear on both what you want to study and why, as well as how our specific program meets your objectives.
- If you are interested in a graduate assistantship, please note any experience or how such an assistantship will fit with your educational or career goals.
Contact information for three references (at least one reference should address your aptitude for graduate study).
Additional documents as required by the Graduate School (including transcripts and CV/Resume).

Application deadlines:

For Fall, apply by February 15th.

I. Program Requirements

Students completing the Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies will choose from the following capstone options: Thesis, Comprehensive Exams, or Professional Project.

A. Required Courses

COM 701 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in Communication (3 units)
COM 760 - Communication Theory (3 units)
One approved Research Methods Course within or external to department (3 units)

Department method course electives include:
COM 700 - Research Methods (3 units)
COM 740 - Rhetorical Criticism (3 units)
SRJS 725 - Research Methods in the Social Sciences (3 units)
*Method courses taken external to department may be approved by student’s advisor.
Thesis students additionally require at least 6 units and up to 10 units in:
COM 797 - Thesis (1 to 6 units)
Comprehensive Exam students additionally require 3 units in:
COM 795 - Comprehensive Examination (1 to 3 units)
Professional Project students additionally require at least 3 and up to 6 units in:
COM 796 - Professional Project (1 to 6 units)

B. COM Electives

COM 604 - Principles of Persuasion (3 units)
COM 607 - Gender and Communication (3 units)
COM 612 - Intercultural Communication (3 units)
COM 622 - Difference and Communication (3 units)
COM 634 - Communication and Conflict Resolution (3 units)
COM 641 - Rhetoric of Dissent (3 units)
COM 654 - Alternate Dispute Resolution (3 units)
COM 664 - Leadership: A Communication Perspective (3 units)
COM 668 - Facilitating Difficult Discussions (3 units)
COM 690 - Special Topics in Communication (3 units)
COM 700 - Research Methods (3 units)
COM 705 - Critical Communication Pedagogy (3 units)
COM 720 - Interpersonal Communication (3 units)
COM 730 - Organizational Communication (3 units)
COM 740 - Rhetorical Criticism (3 units)
COM 790 - Special Topics in Communication (3 units)
COM 793 - Independent Study (1 to 3 units)

C. Outside Electives

Pre-approved electives:

Any 600/700 level course in CRJ, ENG, GRI, JM, JOUR, SOC, SRJS

Other electives as approved by Communication Studies Graduate Program Director or student’s advisor.

Note(s):

Students with teaching assistantships are required to take COM 705 .
18 units must be COM courses.
A maximum of 12 units can be transferred into the degree program through Graduate Special Status or transfer credit.
A maximum of 18 graduate credits completed from a relevant University of Nevada, Reno graduate certificate may be applied to a master’s degree program of study.
For Thesis students, at least 9 units, exclusive of thesis, at the 700 level. For Comprehensive Exam students, at least 12 units at the 700 level. For Professional Project students 9-12 units at the 700 level are needed depending on if a student completes 3 or 6 units of project.
All graduate courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better in order to satisfy graduate program requirements. Grades of a “C-” or below are considered failing grades in graduate school and will not count in a student’s program of study.