Master of Arts in Communication

Customize Your Master's Degree to Your Interests and Goals

Our Master of Arts program is flexible enough to accommodate a broad range of career goals and objectives. Some of our students are working full-time in their chosen fields but want to earn a graduate degree that will advance their career. Other students envision a career in teaching and plan to pursue a Ph.D. or simply want the intellectual enrichment that a master’s degree offers.

As a graduate student pursuing an M. A. in Communication, you can choose one of two specializations that you can tailor to your interests and goals. 

Select a Communication Specialization

As a graduate student in our program, you will choose either the Communication and Media Studies specialization or the Digital Communication Strategies specialization for an additional twelve hours of coursework. 

Master of Communication Digital Strategies

Digital Communication Strategies

This specialization provides you with the conceptual foundation and practical training you’ll need to help organizations plan and execute effective digital communication strategies. 

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Master of Communication and Media StudiesCommunication and Media Studies

Courses in this specialization are structured as non-lecture proseminars.  These intensive, focused seminars allow you to interact at a deep level with faculty and colleagues in your program.  The discussion format allows you to simultaneously explore an area of research in-depth and discover your interests.


 

What Does the Program Course Work Look Like? 

Students are required to take foundational core courses, select their specialization option and choose between either a thesis or non-thesis project during their master's program.

30 total credits including the following:

  • Foundational Core Courses- 9 credits
  • Choice of Specialization- 12 credits
  • Choice of Thesis or Professional Project- 6 credits
  • Elective Course- 3

Program Requirements and Course Work Overview

Visit the Marquette Bulletin for a complete list of course descriptions.

1. FOUNDATIONAL / CORE COURSES - 9 credits

The following courses are required of all students:

COMM 6001 Communication Theory in Context

COMM 6002 Communication Research in Action

COMM 6250 Communication as Ethical Practice

                                                                      

2. CHOOSE A SPECIALIZATION - 12 credits

Student must take 3 courses from one of the following options, plus one additional COMM class at the 6000 level. Each course has variable topics and may be repeated once.

Option 1: DIGITAL COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES

All proseminar courses are three credit hours each.

COMM 6810 Digital Communication Strategies in Content

COMM 6815 Digital Communication Strategies in Metrics

COMM 6820 Digital Communication Strategies in Technologies

COMM 6825 Digital Communication Strategies in Leadership

Option 2: COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA STUDIES

All proseminar courses are three credit hours each.

COMM 6953 Proseminar in Health, Science & Environment

COMM 6954 Proseminar in Media

COMM 6955 Proseminar in Organizations

COMM 6956 Proseminar in Public Life

COMM 6957 Proseminar in Relationships

COMM 6958 Proseminar in Technology


                                                         

3. CHOOSE A THESIS OR PROFESSIONAL PROJECT + ELECTIVE - 9 Credits

Students are required to choose a specialization and have the option of completing a thesis program or a non-thesis program. All students are admitted to the thesis program (Option 1) but may transfer to the non-thesis program (Option 2) with the approval of the program director. Students must earn a grade point average of at least 3.000 with no grades below a C.

Option Course Work Details

THESIS PROGRAM 

Students must complete 24 hours of course work plus 6 credit hours of thesis work (a total of 30 credit hours). Students must also submit an approved thesis and are required to give an oral defense of their thesis.

Course Work - 9 credits

COMM 6999 Thesis (6 credits)

COMM Elective (3 credits)

PROFESSIONAL PROJECT 

Non-thesis program students must complete 24 credit hours of course work, three credit hours of practicum and three credit hours of an approved professional project (a total of 30 credit hours).

Course Work - 9 credits

COMM 6998 Professional Project (3 credits)

COMM 6964 Communication Practicum (3 credits)

COMM Electives (3 credits)



Let's Get Started. 

The Graduate School will help you every step of the way. Not sure where to begin?

Submit your questions to the Graduate School and an admissions expert will contact you shortly.  

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To schedule a campus visit or begin your application, visit the Graduate School website.

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