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/Reduction of Credit

Students may request transfer of up to 15 hours of graduate coursework from graduate non-degree status or from graduate study at another institution, or request a reduction of credit up to 6 hours based on a previously conferred graduate degree. Students should carefully review AP.6.5 and the policies governing graduate transfer of credit and reduction of credit. Transfer and reduction of credit is subject to the approval of the program director and graduate dean.

Banner Code: LA-MA-COM

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 

Two Core Courses
COMM 600Introduction to Graduate Studies3
COMM 798Communication Studies Project (only 3 credits can apply to the degree)3
Two Methods Courses
COMM 650Intro 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 Credits18

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

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.

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 of3
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 Credits15
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.

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 of3
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 Credits15
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.

Two Specialization Courses
Select two specialization courses from the following:6
Risk Communication
Science Communication
Controversies in Science Communication
Advanced Communication Skills for STEM
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 of3
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 Credits15
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.

Two Specialization Courses
Select from the following: 16
Seminar in Communication
Special Topics in Communication
Special Topics in Communication
Optional Thesis 2
Three credits of3
Master's Thesis
Electives
Six to nine credits chosen from: 36-9
Additional courses from the list above
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director.
Total Credits15
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
  • Minimum grade of B in each advanced standing course
  • 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 with a minimum grade of B in each)

COMM 600Introduction to Graduate Studies3
COMM 602Theories and Research of Mass Communication3
COMM 605Intercultural Communication3
COMM 615Political Communication3
COMM 620Health Communication3
COMM 630Theories of Public Relations3
COMM 632Persuasion Theory3
COMM 634Theories of Interpersonal Communication3
COMM 635Organizational Communication3
COMM 636Communication Consulting3
COMM 637Risk Communication3
COMM 639Science Communication3
COMM 640Controversies in Science Communication3
COMM 641Advanced Communication Skills for STEM3
COMM 642Science and the Public3
COMM 644Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism3
COMM 653Graduate Seminar in Instructional Communication3
COMM 660Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns3
COMM 670Social Marketing3
COMM 690Special Topics in Communication3

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.