Credit Requirement
A minimum of 36 graduate credits are required for a Master's degree. Graduate courses which have been applied toward any baccalaureate or advanced degree may not be used for fulfilling requirements for any other Master's degree at the University.
M.A. Coursework
Departmental Core Courses (12 credits)
Comm 611: Introduction to Theories and Concepts of Human Communication
Comm 620: Qualitative Methods in Research
Comm 621: Quantitative Methods in Research
One Course (3 Credits) from the Following:
Comm 691B: Seminar in Media Theory; Comm 613: Introduction to Theories of Social Interaction; Comm 665: Contemporary Rhetorical Theory (or equivalent)
Distribution of Credits
At least 6 credits must be earned from courses in the department in the 700-800 series. A maximum of 6 credits for the thesis may be counted toward the degree. No more than 6 credits of 500-level courses may be counted toward the degree. A maximum of 3 credits of Independent Study and 3 Tutorial credits may be counted toward the degree.
Thesis
In addition to the requirements which apply to all master's degree candidates, the following requirements apply specifically to graduate students who anticipate submitting a master's thesis. A terminal project does not constitute a thesis and is, therefore, not covered by the following requirements:
Committee:
Preparation of the master's thesis shall be under the direct supervision of a Thesis Committee. That Committee shall consist of one or more members of the Graduate Faculty recommended by the Graduate Program Director (GPD) and/or Department Head/Chair of the student's major program. A thesis committee has been officially constituted when the Graduate Dean sends formal notification of its formation to all members, to the Graduate Program Director, and to the student. Members of the Thesis Committee must agree to, not only assist in the supervision of the thesis project, but also attend the defense. Selection of the committee is a matter of "academic judgement" which should be made by the GPD and the Department Chair, and approved by the Graduate Dean. Students should be reminded that most faculty are on nine-month contracts and should not necessarily assume that committee members will be available during the summer months.
Prospectus:
A master's candidate must prepare a suitable prospectus to be approved and signed on the cover sheet, by each member of the approved Thesis Committee and the Graduate Program Director or Department Head/Chair. The signed copy of the prospectus is forwarded to the Graduate Records Office for inclusion in the candidate's file, at least four (4) months prior to the date that the thesis defense is scheduled.
Master's Thesis:
A master's thesis must be typed in a particular style and format on acid-free paper. (Refer to the handout Guidelines For Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations.) The thesis must be approved and signed by all members of the thesis committee and the Department Head/Chair. Two originals of the thesis are required, and a fee must be paid to cover binding costs unless you have paid the Graduate Student Service Fee. One original will be deposited in the central library as an archival document. The second will be placed in either the central library or branch library, as appropriate, for circulation. Some departments require an additional copy of the thesis for their own files.
Thesis Credit:
A master's candidate must register for one (1) to ten (10) credits of thesis (699). There is no maximum number of thesis credits allowed; however, a student may use no more than ten (10) thesis credits to meet the total number of degree credits required for the degree.
Thesis Defense/Master's General Examination:
The result of the Thesis Defense is forwarded to the Office of Degree Requirements directly following the Examination.
Degree Eligibility Form:
The Degree Eligibility Form (available online and in the Office of Degree Requirements) must be completed by all master's candidates and signed by the Graduate Program Director and the Department Head/Chair. The graduate student should verify the accuracy of the information which is put on this form from his/her permanent record (an unofficial copy of the student's record is available on SPIRE). The completed form, with appropriate fees and signatures, must be received by the Office of Degree Requirements by the posted deadline. (See Check List for Master's Degree). These deadlines are strictly observed and will not be extended. Degrees cannot and will not be awarded retroactively.
