Communication, MA

Program Description

The Master of Arts in Communication examines processes of human communication from multiple research traditions, including media and technology, strategic, health, and sport communication. The program emphasizes the impacts and interconnections of communication technologies in society and culture from the full range of theoretical and methodological approaches. Graduates are prepared to enter teaching, business, politics, or social organizing as communication practitioners with expertise in a variety of fields, directly impacting economic development in the region and across the nation, or to continue their education through the doctoral level at major research universities.

Departmental faculty are committed to providing students with opportunities for academic and professional development and believe that individuals continue to develop their expertise throughout their careers. The MA program provides a variety of opportunities to engage in scholarly and professional development activities outside the classroom, including participation in colloquia offered by communication scholars, professional workshops, internships, applied projects, and study abroad. Students are encouraged to become active members of international, national, regional, and state academic and professional associations, and to participate in as many of these development activities as possible while at Clemson in order to build network contacts in the communication discipline before graduation.

Additional information about the MA in Communication is available at https://www.clemson.edu/cbshs/departments/communication/academics/graduate/index.html.

Summary of Degree Requirements

Candidates for the MA in Communication, Technology, and Society must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, including three core courses and additional courses selected in consultation with the faculty advisor to customize a plan of study to the student’s chosen area(s) of emphasis. The program offers thesis and non-thesis options.

Thesis Option

Students selecting the thesis option complete and publicly defend a project representing a significant contribution to the body of knowledge regarding the communication phenomenon that is the focus of the thesis project. A thesis committee is selected in consultation between the student and his/her advisor and is comprised of faculty from the Department of Communication, but may also include faculty representing associated disciplines on the Clemson campus.

Non-Thesis Option

Students selecting the comprehensive exam option are assessed in their knowledge in several areas, such as the history and distinguishing characteristics of the communication discipline, relevant communication theory, the range of research methods used in communication research, communication ethics, how communication may be used to pursue long-term goals in areas such as organizations, social movements, and health campaigns, the relations between communication technologies and social and cultural identities and institutions, and material representative of the student’s identified area of emphasis. The exam committee is selected in consultation between the student and his/her advisor and is comprised of faculty from the Department of Communication, but may also include faculty representing associated disciplines on the Clemson campus.

Coursework

Required Core Courses

• COMM 8100 - Quantitative Research Methods in Communication 3 Credits  or COMM 8110 - Qualitative Research Methods in Communication 3 Credits  
• COMM 8200 - Foundations of Communication 3 Credits  
• COMM 8980 - Colloquium 1 Credit  (repeated each semester)

Electives

• Twelve to 15 credits of 8000-level courses in COMM or a related field selected in consultation with the student’s advisor. Up to six credits may be thesis work.

The number of elective courses a student takes in a specialty area depends on whether they are participating in the thesis option or comprehensive exam option. The student’s faculty advisor helps them select courses that meet their goals. After completing all coursework, students devote time to a thesis or preparing for comprehensive exams.