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2009-2010 Catalog 
    
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2009-2010 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication, MA

The Master of Arts (MA) in Communication at UCCS offers students the opportunity to engage in advanced study in Communication. Students are required to complete a set of five core courses. These courses prepare students in both theoretical and applied concepts.

Both thesis and non-thesis options are available. Plan I is with thesis. This plan involves 33 hours of course work, of which up to six hours may be thesis credit. Plan II is without thesis and requires a minimum of 36 hours of course work.

Under all plans, no more than six hours of graduate course work may be transferred from other universities to fulfill the degree requirements for the MA in Communication.

Outcomes

  • MA graduates will demonstrate proficiency in designing and conducting original research.
  • MA graduates will demonstrate broad-based knowledge and understanding of communication processes and theories.
  • MA graduates will demonstrate well-developed communication skills that prepare them for success in the workplace.
  • MA graduates will demonstrate broad-based knowledge and understanding of communication processes and theories as well as well-developed communication skills that prepare them for success in further graduate studies, including a doctoral program, should they pursue this option.

Course Work

Core Course Requirements, Plans I and II

Plan I (THESIS)

  • The five core courses (15 credits)
  • Minimum of three (maximum of five) graduate elective courses in communication (9-15 credits)
  • One graduate level course from outside the department (3 credits)
  • Maximum of six hours of thesis credit (6 credits)

Plan II (NON-THESIS)

  • The five core required courses (15 credits)
  • Six graduate elective courses in communication (18 credits)
  • One graduate level course from outside the department (3 credits)

Elective Course Offerings

MA, Communication Admission Requirements

There are three types of admission:

Guaranteed Admission: This program is designed to offer outstanding UCCS students enrolled in their final semester of undergraduate course work guaranteed and expedited admission to the MA program in Communication. To qualify for guaranteed admission, a student must be a Communication major with a minimum GPA of 3.7 in all Communication course work taken at UCCS. A one-page admissions form available from the Communication Department and a $60 non-refundable application fee are required.

Fast-Track Admission: This program is designed to offer a more efficient admission process to UCCS undergraduate students who have graduated no more than four years prior to application to the graduate program. Students applying under the fast-track program must submit the following:

  • The Fast-Track Admission application form, accurately and completely filled out
  • A completed residency form (back of application form), if the student claims instate-tuition eligibility
  • A check or money order for the $60 ($75 for international students) non-refundable application fee
  • Official transcripts for any university level studies attempted after graduation from UCCS
  • A letter of recommendation from the Chairperson of the student’s former undergraduate department (non-Communication majors only)
  • GRE exam results (for applicants with a cumulative undergraduate GPA below 3.0 only).

Standard Admission: To be considered for standard admission to the MA program in Communication, a student must first meet the general requirements outlined by The Graduate School  at UCCS. Applications are evaluated by the Graduate Committee of the Department of Communication. The committee bases its decision on the following:

  • Transcripts from each college or university previously attended (an overall GPA of 3.0 is expected)
  • Recent GRE scores (a combined score of at least 1000 on the verbal and quantitative components is expected)
  • A statement indicating educational objectives and professional goals
  • Four letters of recommendation from instructors or employers
  • A sample of scholarly writing.

A $60 ($75 for international students) non-refundable application fee is also required. An application packet can be obtained from the Department of Communication.

Non-Communication Majors:

Admissions to the Communication-MA program is not limited to those with Communication-related undergraduate majors. Those who have taken little of no communication or social scientific research methods course work in their undergraduate program will be asked, upon acceptance, to meet the following deficiency prerequisites:

And One of the Following: