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The Communication MA program is grounded in theory and research concerning human communication and provides excellent preparation for further graduate study and careers in academia or other fields. The department offers hands-on research and teaching experience and a broad range of coursework and educational opportunities, with specialization in Interpersonal Communication, Media, Health Communication, Small Group and Intergroup Communication, New Communication Technologies, and Political Communication. Flexibility allows students to tailor programs to meet specific career objectives. The thesis option serves as a foundation for students planning to pursue a PhD. Those preparing to work in business, media, government or teaching may select a non-thesis option.
The Department of Communication faculty examine ways in which human beings exchange messages with one another, the content of those messages, and the effects they have for individuals and society. The Department's strong commitment to quality teaching and research has earned its faculty and graduate students numerous teaching awards and a ranking as one of the top Communication programs in the nation.
College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
Writing sample (honors thesis, class paper, or similar evidence of scholarly writing)
3 letters of recommendation addressing the applicant’s academic and intellectual qualifications
Statement of Purpose (1500-2000 words) should be broken into the following sections: (a) your scholarly and research interests in the field of communication, (b) why you wish to pursue graduate study in the Department of Communication at the University of Arizona (including explicit connections between your research interests and our faculty's areas of expertise), and (c) your plans following completion of your graduate degree.
GPA: 3.25 minimum
TRANSCRIPTS: For purposes of evlauation, we will accept unofficial transcripts of credits earned from ALL colleges and universities attended, uploaded where indicated on application. If applicant accepts offer of admission, we will require official transcripts sent to the Communication Dept at the University of Arizona.
GRE General Tests: See GRE test scores info below.
For International students: English Proficiency Test is required. Please refer to the graduate college webpage shown here for types of tests accepted, as well as required scores: https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency. ; Please note: because all of our graduate students are also hired as Graduate Teaching Assistants/Associates, applicants must achieve the higher test scores listed under "Special requirements for students who will be acting as Graduate Teaching assistants".
GRE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA CODE: 4832 DEPT GRE CODE: 4507
Required test(s): GRE General Tests: Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing Subtests. INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS also required to take take English Proficiency test (TOEFL preferred).
Minimum GRE Verbal: 156
Minimum GRE Quantitative: 146
Minumum GRE Written: 4.5
Minimum TOEFL: 80 IBT, 550 PBT or IELTS composite score of 7, with no subject area below 6
Graduate Teaching and Research Assistantships, Tuition Scholarships, Graduate College fellowship funding, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences scholarship and fellowship funding
For Domestic and International Applicants:
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 4507
34
Major: All students must successfully complete a minimum of 34 units in the major including: core courses, theory courses, and electives. In addition, students are expected to fulfill their research team and thesis or comprehensive exam requirement. Courses with grades of 'C' or lower will not count toward the degree.
Core Courses (9 units): All students must complete 500, 561, and 571 with a grade of B or better in each.
Required Theory Seminars (6 units): All students must complete at least two of the required theory seminars from the theory seminar rotation: 609, 610, 620, 669.
Communication Electives, by Option
12 units in Comm electives plus 3 thesis units for thesis option
15 units in Comm electives plus comprehensive exams for non-thesis option
Students choose from currently offered graduate courses in Communication. Courses from outside of the Communication Department may be used with pre-approval from advisor.
Thesis option students must register for COMM 910 Thesis (3 units) and write a thesis under the supervision of a faculty advisor.
Non-Thesis option students must complete Comprehensive Exams.
In both cases, 4 semesters of COMM 900 Research team (1 unit each) is required for both options.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 25.93% |
| Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 2.25 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 37.5% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 62.5% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 12.5% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 50% |