Communication Studies, MA
Advertising, Advocacy, Business Communications, Communication, Community, Community Organizing, Corporate Public Affairs, Journalist, Mass Communication, Politician, Public Relations, Public Speaking, intercultural communication, marketing, media
Every organization needs professionals who use communication and media for strategic purposes and to build strong relationships with employees, clients, citizens, patients and other stakeholders. Students gain the tools needed to work as an advocate for social change, an ethical and persuasive influencer, or a builder of strong communities.
The Master of Arts program in communication studies is designed for students who wish to advance in their existing careers or pursue a new career as a communication professional.
With special emphasis on both advocacy and social technologies, the program enables students to tailor the program to their personal goals; they can focus on topics such as interpersonal, family, organizational, sport, environmental, global and intercultural communication; social media and politics; or technology-mediated interaction.
Working closely with faculty, students examine how communication improves the quality of workplaces, personal relationships, digital and face-to-face communities, public dialogues, cross-cultural interactions, and relationships between organizations and those who are influenced by their services, including citizens, customers, patients and fans. They also learn to use media and communication to advocate for themselves and others.
- College/school:
New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences
- Location: West Valley
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
36 credit hours and a written comprehensive exam, or
36 credit hours including the required applied project course (CMN 593) and a written comprehensive exam, or
36 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam and a thesis
Required Core (12 credit hours)
CMN 502 Theory and Practice in Communication and Persuasion (3)
CMN 505 Methods in Applied Communication Research (3)
CMN 506 Humanistic Inquiry and Field Research in Communication (3)
CMN 522 Argumentation and Advocacy (3)
Electives (18-24 credit hours)
Culminating Experience Options (0-6 credit hours)
CMN 593 Applied Project, with written comprehensive exam (3)
CMN 599 Thesis, with written comprehensive exam (6)
written comprehensive examination (0)
Additional Curriculum Information
Electives with the CMN prefix are selected in consultation with the student's program advisor. When appropriate, students may take up to six credit hours outside the program. All electives must be approved by the student's program advisor.
The thesis or applied project must demonstrate intellectual ability, academic ability and professional growth. The thesis is supervised and approved by the student's advisor and committee. An oral defense is required for the thesis. The applied project is supervised by the student's advisor. The achievements or results of the applied project should be made available to the public in the form of a presentation, poster, report or other form negotiated with the faculty advisor.
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the New College of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in any field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- statement of purpose
- three letters of recommendation
- an academic writing sample (preferred) or professional writing sample
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
The statement of purpose should describe the applicant's educational background, scholarly interests, and academic and professional goals.
Letters of recommendation from faculty members who know the applicant's work well are preferred; if faculty members are not available, the applicant may submit letters of recommendation from individuals in supervisory or professional roles.
Submission of a resume or curriculum vitae is optional.
The MA program in communication studies helps prepare graduates for jobs in corporate communication, journalism, mass media, social media politics and a wide variety of other fields. Graduates are prepared to pursue doctoral work or careers in many communication-driven fields, such as digital audience management, public affairs, public relations, science communication, training and employee development, strategic communication, community relations and nonprofit advocacy. This program can also prepare graduates for a career in higher education through the tenure track (e.g., instructor or professor at a community college or university) or the non-tenure track (e.g., lecturer, admission director, academic advisor).
Graduates already employed may find that the skills they acquired through the program are helpful for career advancement, given that some leadership positions require a master's degree. Those interested in changing careers may pursue a master's degree in communication studies to align with their particular professional goals.
Career examples include:
- fundraising manager
- human resources manager
- internal communications manager
- journalist
- learning and development analyst
- marketing account executive, consultant or research analyst
- political campaign manager or speechwriter
- sales account executive
- social media manager
- technical communication specialist
- web producer
School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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FAB N101
NCGradAdvising@asu.edu
602-543-2890
Admission deadlines
3 year programs
These programs allow students to fast-track their studies after admission and earn a bachelor's degree in three years or fewer while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students should talk to their academic advisor to get started.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Acceptance to the graduate program requires a separate application. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master’s during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
