Academic Catalog 2024-2025

Communication (Organizational Communication Concentration), Master of Arts

The Organizational Communication concentration advances the scholarly skills of students in the theoretical frameworks for the study of organizational contexts, communication within the organization, communication structures of the organization, and crisis management. This concentration incorporates theoretical foundations and research methodology used to study organizational processes, current problems in organizational contexts (such as corporate and nonprofit systems, employee and management information flow, and organizational culture).

Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

Unconditional Admission

  1. Graduate with a four-year baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university (degrees from institutions outside the U.S. are evaluated for equivalency to U.S. degrees).
  2. Possess a grade point average of at least 3.0 in undergraduate studies.
  3. Complete satisfactory preparation in the specific discipline or field of study.
  4. Attain a score of at least 213 on the TOEFL, if an international student.

Conditional Admission

Students who fail to satisfy the unconditional admission criteria may be admitted on a conditional basis. Under conditional admission, the student must have at least a 2.8 undergraduate grade point average or the undergraduate grade point average within the last thirty-hours (30) of course work must be at least 3.2. Students admitted in this category will be required to meet the unconditional admission criteria by maintaining at least a grade of "B" or better in each course in the first twelve hours of graduate work within the first year of enrollment. Failure to satisfy unconditional admission criteria within the stipulated time will result in the student being dropped from the program. Conditional admits are not eligible for financial aid.

Post- Baccalaureate and Non-Degree Seeking Applicant Policy

  1. Applicants are not eligible for financial aid.
  2. If admitted as a post- baccalaureate student, the student is required to earn a minimum of 3.5 in those hours they take while in the graduate program in order to be admitted into the program.
  3. If admitted with non-degree-seeking status, a student is allowed to take up to six (6) hours only.

Summary

Foundation Courses (9 hours)
COMM 533Theory & Process Of Comm3
COMM 534Introduction Graduate Research Communication3
RTF 510Visual Storytelling3
Prescribed Courses (9 hours)
COMM 526Introduction : Graduate Studies in Communication3
or RTF 501 Master's Seminar in Mass Media Projects
COMM 546Qualitative Methods in Comm3
or COMM 634 Adv Comm Res Meth
or JOUR 505 Art of Narrative
COMM 658Masters Comprehensive Exam3
or COMM 665 Graduate Practicum
or COMM 698 Research Project
or COMM 699 Master's Project Production
Concentration Courses (12 hours)
COMM 552Organization Communication Theories3
Select 9 hours from the following:9
COMM 567Strategic Communication Management3
Organizational Training & Development
Communication and Organizational Crisis
Communication in the Global Workplace
Communication Leadership in Multi-Context
Elective Courses (3 hours)
Select any School of Communication graduate course3
Total Hours36