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Master of Arts in Communication
Major: COMMDegree Awarded: MA
Unit: GA
Program Webpage: http://comm.louisville.edu/
Program Information
The Master of Arts in Communication is a 37-hour program. It includes 22 hours of foundation and core courses, nine hours of electives, and a six-hour thesis or non-thesis option. The non-thesis option includes a three-hour practicum, with a limit of six hours of practicum credit. At least 19 of the 37 hours must be in courses at the 600 level.
Upon admission to the program, the student will work with the Director of Graduate Studies to establish a plan of study. After the second semester, students choosing the thesis option will select a mentor who will provide guidance for the thesis and selecting two additional faculty to serve on the thesis committee. Students choosing the non-thesis option will select a mentor who will provide guidance concerning the practicum and course selection. Students choosing the non-thesis option will take a written exam administered by the Communication Department faculty.
Applicants need an undergraduate degree in Communication or a related discipline, a 3.0 GPA on a four-point scale, and a 900 on the GRE. Provisional admission is possible for students with lower scores. Other application materials include a copy of university transcripts, a writing sample, a personal statement, three letters of recommendation, an application, and the application fee.
Curriculum
Foundations: (Required of all students) | 13 hours |
Area 1: Interactional Communication (One course) | 3 hours |
Area 2: Integrated Communication (One course) | 3 hours |
Area 3: Social Advocacy (One course) | 3 hours |
Electives: Students may concentrate in an area by taking additional area courses as electives. Three hours of Practicum or Directed Reading may be taken beyond the courses taken for a non-thesis option. Three hours may be taken outside of the Communication Department with the consent of the Faculty Mentor. Additional electives may be outside of Communication with consent of the Graduate Director. | 9 hours |
Thesis (includes oral defense) Non-Thesis Option | 6 hours |
Total | 37 hours |
Pending approval of the department program coordinator, and approval by the Graduate School, a student may transfer up to six hours graduate credit from another institution.
Non-thesis option: Students electing a non-thesis option will complete the 37 hours specified above, with two differences. Students who select the non-thesis option will substitute one 600-level practicum and one elective for the six thesis hours. The non-thesis option also will include a Comprehensive Examination administered by Department Faculty.
Experiential Component
The Master of Arts does not require an experiential component. However, students may choose to do a practicum in a private business, community organization, or government agency that deals with communication. Students may complete the practicum in two ways. A student may turn current work or volunteer experience into a research project, or a student not previously affiliated with the practicum site may develop a project useful to the organization. In both cases, the student will work with a Communication Department faculty member to shape the project and will write a formal paper dealing with the project. Students who choose the practicum will be applying knowledge acquired in Communication coursework directly to area needs, thus serving the community and helping to build stronger university/community ties.
Departmental Faculty
Julie Berman
Michael Cunningham
Vanessa Cunningham
Lindsay Della
Margaret D'Silva
Stuart Esrock
John Ferré
Allan Futrell, Chair
Jennifer Gregg
Joy Hart
Greg Leichty
Selene Phillips
Steve Sohn
Robert St. Clair
William Thompson
Kandi Walker
Ede Warner
Charles Willard
Shirley Willihnganz
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