COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science in Communication requires a total of 30 credit hours designed to build advanced knowledge, research ability, and professional communication skills. The program begins with 9 hours of core courses, including Communication Theory and Research (COM 600), which introduces foundational theories and analytical frameworks used to understand communication processes; Professional Practices (COM 601), which focuses on applied skills and real-world communication work; and Introduction to Graduate Research in Communication (COM 720), which prepares students for academic inquiry and research-based study at the graduate level. In addition to the core foundation, students must complete 6 hours of research methods coursework by selecting two approved courses that align with their academic emphasis and career goals. These options include quantitative methods, qualitative methods, rhetorical criticism, content analysis, survey research, statistical analysis, experimental psychology methods, political analysis, ethnography, and specialized communication research courses, allowing students to develop strong methodological competence in both data-driven and interpretive approaches. After completing research training, students must fulfill 6 hours of Thesis or Project work (COM 698), which involves independent research under faculty supervision and demonstrates the student’s ability to apply theory and methods to a focused communication problem or topic. The final component consists of 9 hours of electives, where students can tailor their studies toward areas such as mass communication, public relations, advertising, political communication, organizational communication, psychology-based methods, or interdisciplinary fields. Overall, this structured program balances theory, applied skills, and research training to prepare students for professional careers in media, corporate communication, public relations, academia, policy analysis, or further doctoral study, while also strengthening critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and advanced communication expertise across multiple contexts.