Communication, M.A.

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College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Communication

Major Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

Graduate study at the University of South Florida Department of Communication emphasizes critical, qualitative, and quantitative research, a comprehensive focus that is unusual among graduate programs in the field of Communication. The department embraces innovative humanistic and social scientific approaches to inquiry and engagement in health, media, organizational and relational communication, with emphases on culture, performance, and social justice.

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

Two letters of recommendation;
Writing sample,
Statement of purpose.
GRE with preferred scores of at least 153V (61st percentile)
Transcripts
CV or resume

Curriculum Requirements

Total minimum hours - 36 credit hours

Core Requirements - 6 credit hours
Electives - 24 credit hours minimum
Thesis/Non-thesis - 6 credit hours

Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

COM 6001 Theories and Histories of Communication Credit Hours: 3
This course must be taken the first time it is offered after the student is admitted to the graduate program.
COM 7325 Seminar in Communication Research Methods Credit Hours: 3

Electives (24 Credit Hours)

Twenty-four (24) hours of elective graduate coursework, six (6) hours, of which, may consist of graduate courses from other departments and must have advisor approval.

Select: Thesis or Non-Thesis

Non-Thesis (6 credit hours)

Students in the non-thesis option take another 6 hours of graduate level electives, which may consist of graduate courses from other departments and must have advisor approval.

Thesis (6 Credit Hours)

SPC 6971 Thesis: Master’s Credit Hours: 2-19
In consultation with the major professor, Thesis Program students will select a thesis topic, constitute a thesis committee, and write orally defend a thesis proposal. The thesis is an extended research project within a specific area of communication research culminating in a written academic analysis. Upon completion of the thesis, the student must pass an oral defense.

Comprehensive Exam Requirements

All non-thesis students must pass both written and oral comprehensive examinations.
For thesis students, the thesis defense serves in lieu of the comprehensive exams.

Other Requirements

Establish a supervisory faculty committee consisting of a major professor and two additional members, at least one of whom is a member of the Department of Communication. The supervisory committee must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies.
Prepare a Plan of Study approved by the student’s supervisory committee. The Plan of Study expresses the ways in which the student will show evidence of the following:
1. expertise in one or more of the central domains of communication study
2. expertise in the research methodologies needed to carry out original research in the specialized area of concentration (Thesis Program students only)