M. A. Program Requirements

Research Thesis Track (a minimum 36-hour program)

30 hours of graduate coursework in communication and allied fields:

1. 6 hours of core courses: COMM 6010 (Issues and Perspectives in Communication) and COMM 6030 (Research Methods in Communication). Students in the FVI studies track are also required to take the core COMM 6020 (Advanced Film Theory).
2. 18–24 additional hours in communication courses designated by the area of emphasis  (film/video and digital, mass communication, and human communication and social influence). NOTE: All M.A. students with teaching responsibilities are required to take Communication Pedagogy in their first semester of teaching. In addition, all students teaching FILM 2700 must take COMM 6020 (Advanced Film Theory), and are also strongly encouraged to take COMM 6160 (Media Historiography).
3. SARI Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement
4. Optional 0–6 hours of allied coursework in another area of emphasis or outside the department as approved by the advisor

Approved research skill or proficiency in a foreign language. (Note: Credit hours  earned in this category may not be applied to B or C above.)

A successful prospectus defense

At least 6 hours of COMM 6990 Thesis Research

A Research Thesis and a successful thesis defense.

Creative Thesis Track (a minimum 36–hour program)

33 hours of graduate coursework in communication and allied fields:

1. 6 hours of core courses: For students in film production, COMM 6155 (Media Expression) and COMM 6020 (Advanced Film Theory). For students in screenwriting, this is COMM 6260 (Adapting Literature to Film) and COMM 6020 (Advanced Film Theory). For other students doing creative theses: COMM 6010 (Issues and Perspectives in Communication) and COMM 6030 (Research Methods in Communication).
2. 18–27 hours of courses designated by the area of emphasis. For production students only, this also includes COMM 6135 and COMM 6145 (Digital Editing).
3. Optional 0–9 hours of courses outside area of emphasis or outside of the department as approved by adviser.

Coursework-intensive Option (no thesis)

36 hours of graduate coursework in communication and allied fields:

1. 6 hours of core courses: COMM 6010 (Issues and Perspectives in Communication) and COMM 6030 (Research Methods in Communication). Students in the FVI track are also required to take the core COMM 6020 (Advanced Film Theory).
2. 18–24 additional hours in communication courses designated by the area of emphasis  (film/video and digital, mass communication, and human communication and social influence). NOTE: All M.A. students with teaching responsibilities are required to take Communication Pedagogy in their first semester of teaching. In addition, all students teaching FILM 2700 must take COMM 6020 Advanced Film Theory, and are also strongly encouraged to take COMM 6160, Media Historiography.
3. SARI Responsible Conduct of Research Requirement
4. Optional 0–6 hours of allied coursework in another area of emphasis or outside the department as approved by the advisor
5. Two additional approved elective courses, where the credit hours total to a full six hours substitution

Approved research skill or proficiency in a foreign language. (Note: Credit hours  earned in this category may not be applied to B or C above.)

Students pursuing this coursework-intensive, non-thesis option are required to submit to the department a sample of a significant research essay (such as might have been submitted as a final seminar or conference paper).