Master of Arts (MA) in Communication
Upgrade your skills, knowledge, and accomplishments with a program that allows you to fulfill your intellectual and professional/career goals
The Master’s program in Communication provides students with graduate level training in various areas of the Communication discipline, including (but not limited to) Intercultural Communication, Health Communication, Communication and social change, Environmental Communication, Media Studies, Documentary Production/filmmaking, and Organizational and Strategic Communication. The program helps students fulfill their post-graduation goals, whether obtaining professional employment, becoming more competitive on the communication (and related fields) job markets, enrolling in a PhD or EdD program, or reskilling/upskilling for their current profession.
Three Key advantages to getting an M.A. in communication
- Be Valued! To be valued in each job, to increase your competitiveness in the job market, to build successful interpersonal relationships, and to contribute effectively as a member of organizations and communities across the world.
- Get Hired and Promoted! According to a recent AACU survey, more than 80 percent of employers say that mastery of analytical, written, and oral communication skills is essential when hiring/promoting.
- Make a Difference! Students emerge from graduate communication programs with a commitment to using their education to make a difference.
With Fall and Spring admission, Thesis and Non-thesis options, as well as courses that are generally offered in the evenings, the Master’s program in Communication at UTEP is a flexible and intellectually engaging research-based accredited program that prepares graduates for high-level/rigorous analysis, understanding, investigation, production, and critique of communication phenomena in our everyday lives. The program is designed to allow students to pursue graduate level education with a flexibility that works for full-time students, full-time employees, and everyone in between who value small class sizes, rigorous training, and a supportive and intellectually engaging learning environment.
For any questions or additional information a prospective student can contact the director or graduate studies/graduate advisor, Dr. Yannick Atouba by emailing (preferred) him at yatouba@utep.edu. He can also be reached by phone at 915-747-8046
Other useful Links:
Graduation Degree Requirements
Thesis Option:
A minimum of 36 semester hours in communication is required. 30 hours of course work numbered 5300-5390 and 6 hours of thesis (COMM 5398, COMM 5399) credit, and the submission of a thesis approved by the graduate faculty.
Non-thesis Option:
A minimum of 36 semester hours in communication is required, in courses numbered 5300-5390. In addition, a project approved by the graduate faculty is required.
Research Core Courses:
The core research courses are required for both the thesis and non-thesis options: COMM 5300, COMM 5310 and COMM 5311.
Oral Examination:
An oral examination by the graduate faculty will be required for both the thesis and non-thesis options.
Other Departmental Courses for Graduate Credit:
With the approval of the graduate advisor, up to 6 hours of credit may be selected from other departments who have designated graduate coursework.The Department does not offer undergraduate courses for graduate credit.
SOME MA Courses Offered
COMM 5300: Introduction to Graduate Studies
An introduction to theories, methods and styles of research in the communication discipline. Required of all graduate student pursuing advanced degree.
COMM 5310: Quantitative Research Methods
Introduction to quantitative methods used in conceptualizing, planning, designing, and conducting social scientific studies in communication research.
COMM 5311: Qualitative Research Methods
Introduction to qualitative methods used in conceptualizing, planning, designing, and conducting rhetorical, critical, or interpretive studies in communication research.
COMM 5334: Seminar in Media and Society
Explores and reviews theory and research regarding media issues and effects in various societal contexts. Various print and electronic media are explored. May be taken for credit more than once as topic vary.
COMM 5335: Seminar in Intercultural/International Communication
Explores and reviews theory and research regarding intercultural or international issues when individual members, groups or institutions interact, individually or collectively, from different cultures or national perspectives. May be taken for credit more than once as topic vary.
COMM 5336: Seminar in New Communication Technologies
Explores and reviews theory and research regarding the introduction and use of new communication technologies in various areas of society. May be taken for credit more than once as topic vary.
COMM 5337: Seminar in Organizational Communication
Explores and reviews theory and research regarding communication processes used in organizing in various contexts of complex human organizations. May be taken for credit more than once as topic vary.
COMM 5343: Seminar in Communication Theory
Study of recent non-traditional contributions to theories of human communication. Investigates the application of models, the implications of recent developments in social psychology, and the results of experimental research. May be repeated for credit when topic varies.
COMM 5350: Directed Study
Investigation of a significant area in rhetoric, communication, or media-based communication practices by individual students or small groups. May include individual research projects or field study. May be taken more than once with a change in area of emphasis.
COMM 5362: Organizational Communication
Philosophy, methods, and designs for studying the communication systems and practices in a complex organization.
COMM 5398: Thesis: Initial work on thesis.
COMM 5399: Thesis: Thesis completion
Continuous enrollment required while work on the thesis continues. Prerequisite: COMM 5398.
