Graduate Degree - Program Requirements

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF ARTS DEGREE:

University standards for admission to graduate study will normally be a determining factor in granting a student classified status in the program. Department admission requirements are typically higher than university criteria. Students with limited background in communication studies may be admitted on a Conditionally Classified basis until preparatory undergraduate coursework (to be determined in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator) has been completed. Any student who is admitted to the graduate program on a Conditionally Classified basis is required to meet ALL conditions for fully Classified status by the time s/he has completed 12 units of coursework in the graduate program.

University standards for admission to graduate study will normally be a determining factor in granting a student classified status in the program. Department admission requirements are typically higher than university criteria: For example, the University minimum GPA is 2.5; the Department minimum GPA is 3.0. The university waives the GRE for applicants with GPAs of 3.0 or better; the department requires the GRE of all applicants.

FOR THE DEGREE:

A minimum of 33 units of approved graduate work comprised of the following:

 

CORE REQUIREMENTS (6 units):

Complete both

• COMS 600: Core Seminar in Communication Studies
• COMS 601: Core Seminar in Communication Research Methods

 

AREA REQUIREMENTS (9 units):

Performance, Language and Cultural Studies (3 units)
Select one of the following courses:

• COMS 603: Seminar in Performance Studies
• COMS 604: Seminar in Textual Studies
• COMS 610: Current Research in Performance Studies
• COMS 620: Seminar in Communication and Language
• COMS 635: Feminist Perspectives on Communication
• COMS 656: Seminar in Intercultural Communication

 

Rhetorical Studies (3 units)
Select one of the following courses:

• COMS 631: Studies in Classical Rhetoric
• COMS 632: Studies in Contemporary Rhetoric
• COMS 633: Studies in Postmodern Rhetoric
• COMS 640: Current Research in Rhetorical Studies

 

Communication Theory (3 units)
Select one of the following courses:

• COMS 650: Seminar in Communication Theory
• COMS 651: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
• COMS 652: Seminar in Group Communication
• COMS 653: Seminar in Organizational Communication Research
• COMS 654: Seminar in Communication and Technology
• COMS 660: Current Research in Communication Theory

 

ELECTIVES (12-15 units):

Elective coursework may be selected from 400-, 500- and 600-level courses in Communication Studies and related disciplines. At least 9 of these elective units must come from 600-level courses in Communication Studies. (Thesis or Graduate Project candidate: 12 elective units; Comprehensive Examination candidate: 15 elective units).

 

REQUIRED CULMINATING EXPERIENCE (3-6 units):

Select one

• COMS 697: Directed Comprehensive Studies (3 units)
• COMS 698: Thesis or Graduate Project (3+3 units)

 

THESIS

1. A public presentation of a thesis prospectus, and
2. An acceptable thesis, and
3. An oral examination on the thesis.

 

or -- GRADUATE PROJECT

1. A public presentation of a graduate project prospectus, and
2. An acceptable written report of the candidate’s application of communication theory and principles to a practical or career problem, and
3. An oral examination on the written report.

 

or -- DIRECTED COMPREHENSIVE STUDIES

1. A successful completion of an examination covering the breadth of the student's program, and
2. A public presentation of a research paper, project, or performance completed as part of COMS 697, Directed Comprehensive Studies.

 

If you have questions regarding the MA program requirements, please contact:

• Stacy Holman Jones, PhD
  Graduate Coordinator
  Department of Communication Studies
  California State University, Northridge
  Northridge, CA 91330-8257
  (818) 677-5380 (voice)
  sholmanjo@csun.edu