Degree Program
The Master's program requires the completion of 32 units of study, and provides for a thesis (Plan A) or non-thesis (Plan B) option.
Students must select a concentration of study in one of the following areas:
- Communication Education
- Political Communication
- Media and Public Relations
- Communication Studies
Only 4 units taken at the 100 level can be applied to a student's graduate program.
Each concentration also requires five graduate seminars offered by the Department of Communication.
The Master of Arts in Communication has four areas of emphasis: Communication Education, Political Communication, Media and Public Relations, and Communication Studies.
Master of Arts in Communication
Concentration in Communication Education
COMM 261 Critical & Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 262 Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 271 Graduate Seminar: Rhetorical Thought (4 units)
COMM 272 Graduate Seminar: Interpersonal Communication (4 units)
COMM 276 Graduate Seminar: Communication in Learning Settings (4 units)
One of the following courses from the School of Education: (3 units)
CURR 209 Curriculum Theory
EADM 204 Pluralism American Education
EADM 233 Seminar: Multicultural Education
Or an approved course by adviser
One of the following courses: (4 units)
COMM 289 Graduate Practicum
COMM 287 Graduate Internship
COMM 273 Graduate Seminar: Mass Communication
COMM 275 Graduate Seminar: Public Relations
COMM 277 Graduate Seminar: Media Relations
COMM 278 Graduate Seminar: Political Communication
Or an approved course by advisor
Thesis Option Plan A:
COMM 297 Graduate Research (1 unit)
COMM 299 Thesis (4 units)
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Non-Traditional Thesis Plan B:
COMM 298 Non-Traditional Thesis (4 units)
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Master of Arts in Communication
Concentration in Political Communication
COMM 261 Critical & Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 262 Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 271 Graduate Seminar: Rhetorical Thought (4 units)
COMM 273 Graduate Seminar: Mass Communication (4 units)
COMM 278 Graduate Seminar: Political Communication (4 units)
POLS One approved elective from Political Science department or
COMM 200 level course (4 units)
COMM 287 Graduate Internship (4 units)
Thesis Option Plan A:
COMM 299 Thesis (4 units)
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Non-Traditional Thesis Plan B:
COMM 298 Non-Traditional Thesis (4 units)
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Master of Arts in Communication
Concentration in Media and Public Relations
COMM 261 Critical & Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 262 Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 273 Graduate Seminar: Mass Communication (4 units)
COMM 277 Graduate Seminar: Media Relations or
COMM 278 Graduate Seminar: Political Communication (4 units)
COMM 275 Graduate Seminar: Public Relations (4 units)
One of the following courses from the Department of Health, Exercise and Sports Sciences or the School of Business may be substituted for Communication 275
SPTS 274 Advanced Sport Marketing and Promotions
BUSI 109 Management and Organizational Behavior
BUSI 214 Negotiation
BUSI 279 Leadership
Or an approved course by adviser
One of the following: (4 units)
COMM 287 Graduate Internship
COMM 289 Graduate Practicum
Thesis Option Plan A:
COMM 299 Thesis (4 units)
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Non-Traditional Thesis Plan B:
COMM 298 Non-Traditional Thesis
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Master of Arts in Communication
Concentration in Communication Studies
COMM 261 Critical & Qualitative Research Methods (4 units)
COMM 262 Quantitative Research Methods (4 units)
Five of the following: (20 units)
COMM 271 Graduate Seminar: Rhetorical Thought
COMM 272 Graduate Seminar: Interpersonal Communication
COMM 273 Graduate Seminar: Mass Communication
COMM 275 Graduate Seminar: Public Relations
COMM 276 Graduate Seminar: Communication in Learning Settings
COMM 277 Graduate Seminar: Media Relations
COMM 278 Graduate Seminar: Political Communication
COMM 289 Graduate Practicum or
COMM 287 Internship
Thesis Option Plan A:
COMM 299 Thesis (4 units)
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination
Non-Thesis Plan B:
COMM 298 Non-Traditional Thesis
6-hour written comprehensive examination
1-hour oral examination