The Master of Science with a major in communication and information is intended for students who desire careers related to a variety of communication, information, or media fields, and those who seek a deeper understanding of the role of communication and information in organizations, media, and society. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. See catalog listings for the School of Advertising and Public Relations, School of Communication Studies, and the School of Journalism and Electronic Media for information about concentrations and the courses offered.
A bachelor’s degree is required for entry into the master’s program. Students lacking academic or professional experience may be required to take prerequisite courses. The following are normally minimal requirements for admission to full potential candidate status.
- A 3.0 (4.0 system) grade point average in undergraduate studies.
- At or above the fiftieth percentile in verbal, quantitative and analytical aptitude on the Graduate Record Examination.
- Recommendation letters from at least three former teachers or professional colleagues.
- A statement of the applicant’s goals and reasons for pursuing the degree. Professional experience in some field of communication and/or information is a highly desirable criterion for admission.
- For students whose native language is not English and who have not earned an earlier degree at an American college or university in the past two years, the Test of English as a Foreign Language is required. The test must have been taken within the past two years. Students should show mastery of the English language.
The MS program combines a cross-disciplinary core in theory and methods with a concentrated set of courses in a primary area and electives from outside the concentration. Both the thesis and non-thesis options require a minimum of 34 hours of approved graduate work.
Core (7 hours)
CCI 501 (Orientation, 1 hour), CCI 540 (Theory, 3 hours), and a research methods course (ADVT 530 , CMST 505 , INSC 540 , or JREM 512 ) to be taken during the first two semesters of the student’s program, except with the written approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs of the college.
Concentration (15 hours)
Concentrations are typically housed within one of the academic units. Students may also construct their own coherent set of courses for a concentration with the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Programs for the college. At least 6 hours of the concentration must be at the 500 level or above.
Approved Electives
Six hours of electives for students in the thesis option. Nine hours of electives for students in the non-thesis option.
Thesis or Project
Six hours of thesis work or a 3-hour project.
Other RequirementsAll students must take courses from at least two of the schools in the College of Communication and Information.
The final comprehensive exam will include a written project and an oral defense of it.
Students interested in subsequent entry into a doctoral program are advised to pursue the thesis option and to take additional courses in communication theory and research, subject to advisor’s approval. After completion of the formal program of course work and research for the thesis option, the student must pass an oral examination conducted by his/her graduate committee.
Students interested in pursuing careers as communication and information practitioners are advised to complete a project. The final comprehensive exam will include a written project and an oral defense of it.
