As the environment for public and private communication becomes increasingly complex, organizations rely more and more heavily on thoughtful and effective communication professionals. To this end, Communication MA students may choose to specialize in strategic communication/public relations, health communication or science communication. They may also choose an individualized specialization in communication studies according to their interests. Across all specializations, students receive a strong foundation in communication theory and learn to design, execute, and interpret rigorous communication research. Students are challenged to apply communication knowledge to help solve problems and to address important social issues.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified by Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the MA in communication, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Admission to the graduate program in communication is competitive.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.
Transfer of Credit
Students may request transfer of up to 12 hours of graduate coursework from graduate non-degree status or up to 15 hours of graduate study at another institution. Students should carefully review AP.6.5 and the policies governing graduate transfer of credit. Transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the program director and graduate dean.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 33
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students complete two program core courses, two methods courses, two theory courses, two specialization and at least three elective courses (or 9 credits), of which 3 credits may be thesis.
Students must choose from one area of specialization (strategic communication/public relations, health communication, science communication, or individualized communication studies). Specific requirements are described below.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Core Courses | ||
| COMM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Studies | 3 |
| COMM 798 | Communication Studies Project (only 3 credits can apply to the degree) | 3 |
| Two Methods Courses | ||
| COMM 650 | Intro to Research Methods in Communication (required course) | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Qualitative Methods | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| Media Content Analysis | ||
Other graduate level methods course, taken in COMM or elsewhere, as approved by graduate director. | ||
| Two Theory Courses | ||
| Select two theory courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Theories and Research of Mass Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Theories of Public Relations | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Theories of Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Risk Communication | ||
| Science Communication | ||
| Science and the Public | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Strategic Communication | ||
| Crisis Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Specializations
Students complete the degree by completing 6 credits of coursework in one of the four specializations and an additional 9 elective credits in any graduate coursework, to include an optional thesis. Courses outside the department require the prior written approval of the program director.
Available Specializations
- Strategic Communications/Public Relations Specialization
- Health Communication Specialization
- Science Communication
- Individualized Communication Studies specialization
Strategic Communications/Public Relations Specialization
The specialization in strategic communication/public relations requires a minimum of two courses from the list below. A course taken as a part of the general program cannot be duplicated in credits, but it can count as a course required for the specialization. Additional credits may be met through electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication 1 | ||
| Theories and Research of Mass Communication | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Theories of Public Relations | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Communication Consulting | ||
| Risk Communication | ||
| Science and the Public | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Strategic Communication | ||
| Global Public Relations Strategy and Practice | ||
| Crisis Communication | ||
| Health Communication Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Optional Thesis 2 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 3 | ||
| Six to nine additional credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
Courses from the list above | ||
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
When topic is strategic communication, as approved by program director.
- 2
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 3
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of a thesis take 9 credits.
Health Communication Specialization
The specialization in health communication requires a minimum of two courses from the list below. A course taken as a part of the general program cannot be duplicated in credits, but it can count as a course required for the specialization. Additional credits may be met through electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication 1 | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Intercultural Health and Risk Communication | ||
| Consumer-Provider Health Communication | ||
| E-Health Communication | ||
| Health Communication Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Optional Thesis 2 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 3 | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
Additional courses from the list above | ||
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
When topic is health communication as approved by program director.
- 2
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 3
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.
Science Communication Specialization
Students who wish to focus their graduate study in science communication complete the following requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Risk Communication | ||
| Science Communication | ||
| The Issues of Science and Politics | ||
| Environmental Communication | ||
| Science and the Public | ||
| Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Optional Thesis 1 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 2 | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
Additional courses from the list above | ||
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 2
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.
Individualized Communication Studies specialization
Students pursuing a specialization in individualized communication studies design a program of courses to reflect their interests.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Communication | ||
| Optional Thesis 2 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: 3 | 6-9 | |
Additional courses from the list above | ||
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director. | ||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
Two courses in a field of specialization are chosen in consultation with an advisor or the program director. These courses may include select special topics courses shown above as approved by the program director.
- 2
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 3
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.
Bachelor's Degree (any)/Communication, Accelerated MA
Overview
Highly qualified undergraduates may be admitted to the bachelor's/accelerated master's program and obtain a BA/BS in a chosen major and an MA in Communication in an accelerated time-frame after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 141 credits.
See AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees for policies related to this program.
Students in an accelerated degree program must fulfill all university requirements for the master's degree. For policies governing all graduate degrees, see AP.6 Graduate Policies.
BAM Pathway Admission Requirements
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified in Graduate Admissions Policies and Bachelor's Accelerated Master's Degree policies. For information specific to this accelerated master's program, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Students will be considered for admission into the BAM Pathway after completion of a minimum of 60 credits.
Students who are accepted into the BAM Pathway will be allowed to register for graduate level courses after successful completion of a minimum of 75 undergraduate credits.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
Students already admitted to the BAM Pathway will be admitted to the MA program, if they have met the following criteria, as verified on the Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Transition form:
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.25
- Completed at least one approved undergraduate Methods course COMM 400, COMM 490/COMM 491, or another methods course approved by the COMM BAM director.
- Successfully meeting Mason's requirements for undergraduate degree conferral (graduation) and completing the application for graduation.
Accelerated Pathway Requirements
To maintain the integrity and quality of both the undergraduate and graduate degree programs, undergraduate students interested in taking graduate courses must choose from the following:
Advanced Standing courses (up to 12 credits)
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Studies | 3 |
| COMM 602 | Theories and Research of Mass Communication | 3 |
| COMM 605 | Intercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 615 | Political Communication | 3 |
| COMM 620 | Health Communication | 3 |
| COMM 630 | Theories of Public Relations | 3 |
| COMM 632 | Persuasion Theory | 3 |
| COMM 634 | Theories of Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| COMM 635 | Organizational Communication | 3 |
| COMM 636 | Communication Consulting | 3 |
| COMM 637 | Risk Communication | 3 |
| COMM 639 | Science Communication | 3 |
| COMM 640 | The Issues of Science and Politics | 3 |
| COMM 641 | Environmental Communication | 3 |
| COMM 642 | Science and the Public | 3 |
| COMM 644 | Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism | 3 |
| COMM 653 | Graduate Seminar in Instructional Communication | 3 |
| COMM 660 | Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM 670 | Social Marketing | 3 |
| COMM 690 | Special Topics in Communication | 3 |
Reserve Graduate Credit courses (up to 6 credits) taken while an undergraduate and will only count for the graduate degree program
All courses listed above as advanced standing can be used for reserve graduate credit.
For more detailed information on coursework and timeline requirements, see AP.6.7 Bachelor's/Accelerated Master's Degrees.
Program Outcomes
1. Communication Theory
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the major theories that shape the field of communication, including historical developments and current trends.
2. Communication Inquiry
Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of social scientific, rhetorical, and/or critical methods of communication research and inquiry. All such methods involve structured, systematic, and theoretically-driven approaches to data analysis.
3. Application of Knowledge
Students will be able to apply communication theory and research in practical contexts to address communication problems, issues, or challenges.
4. Communication Competence
Students will develop the ability to communicate complex concepts and findings clearly and persuasively in written projects.
5. Apply Ethical Communication Principles
Students should be able to identify ethical perspectives in communication theory and research, and evaluate the ethical issues involved in a communication situation, including protections for research participants.