Graduate Program
| Graduate Study Information |
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The Master of Arts Degree in Communication at Virginia Tech is a 33-hour degree program that offers students advanced study in public and mass communication research from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives. Two areas of emphasis in communication research -- media studies and public advocacy -- are offered, each influenced by the latest trends in communication scholarship and communication technology. Media studies includes such sub-areas as mass media effects, mediated technology and society, and media criticism; public advocacy explores strategic communication, public relations and political communication research. The M.A. in Communication will prepare graduates to pursue research positions in communication industries, advanced teaching careers, advanced careers as communication professionals, and doctoral studies in Communication. Graduate Assistantships available.
To apply for graduate study in Communication, follow all application procedures for admission to the Graduate School of Virginia Tech as outlined on the Graduate School website (http://www.grads.vt.edu/). Virginia Tech prefers an on-line application.
Graduate Teaching Assistantships and Graduate Research Assistantships are available to exceptional applicants. All students on assistantships receive a tuition scholarship and a competitive monthly stipend. Appointments are for a one-year term and are renewable for up to two years pending satisfactory performance in coursework and assistantship assignments. To be considered, applicants must be complete the Virginia Tech "Application for Graduate Assistantships, Fellowships, and Departmental Placement" form.
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| Degree Requirements - Graduate Studies |
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The Master of Arts in Communication may be earned via two different tracks (thesis and non-thesis). The thesis track is designed for those students wishing to develop analytic research skills before pursuing a Ph.D. or professional career. The internship (i.e., non-thesis) track is designed for students wishing to advance a professional career through an applied master's degree. Both the thesis and non-thesis options require completion of at least 33 credit hours, a GPA of at least 3.0 and a substantial learning experience conducted outside the classroom.
Thesis Track
- 9 hours Communication core (COMM 5014 - Communication Theory; COMM 5024 - Communication Research Methods; COMM 5614 - Rhetorical Theory & Criticism)
- 15 hours graduate-level Communication courses
- 3 hours (minimum) graduate-level elective courses
- 6 hours Research and Thesis (COMM 5994)
Non-Thesis Track
- 9 hours Communication Core (COMM 5014 - Communication Theory; COMM 5024 - Communication Research Methods; COMM 5614 - Rhetorical Theory & Criticism)
- 18 hours graduate-level Communication courses
- 3 hours (minimum) graduate-level elective courses
- 3 hours Internship (COMM 5954) or Project & Report (COMM 5904)
In meeting these requirements, all Communication graduates will have at least 27 hours of course work in the department. The Department of Communication expects graduate students in its program to take courses designed primarily for graduate students, which are 5000-level courses. In addition, the Graduate School limits the number of 4000-level courses a student may take. The Department requires a student to complete a request form for a 4000-level course to be included on the student's Plan of Study. The request must be approved by the student's advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies and will be approved only in rare circumstances.
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| Fall 2007 |
| COMM 5014: Communication Theory (Dr. Denton) |
| COMM 5024: Communication Research Methods (Dr. Magee) |
| COMM 5614: Rhetorical Theory and Criticism (Dr. Kuypers) |
| COMM 5414: Mass Media Effects (Dr. Ivory) |
| Spring 2008 |
| COMM 5814: Seminar: Theories of Mass Media (Dr. Williams) |
| COMM 5814: Seminar: Social Movements (Dr. Waggenspack) |
| COMM 5814: Seminar: Political Journalists (Dr. Riley) |
| Courses Listed in the Graduate Catalog |
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COMM 5104 - Communication Theory
A broad survey of contemporary theories and processes of interpersonal, public, and mediated human communication.
COMM 5024 - Communication Research Methods
Advanced treatment of a variety of research related issues germane to the discipline of communication studies. Topics include the scientific method; elements of
the research process; experimental, quasi-experimental, and non-experimental research designs; and legal and ethical issues in research.
COMM 5114 - Interpersonal Communication
Study of theory and research identifying communication variables involved in relationship development, maintenance, and dissolution; nonverbal aspects of
interpersonal relationships; personality and interpersonal relationships.
COMM 5124 - Organizational Communication
An examination of theoretical issues and current research in organizational communication. Emphasis on the role of communication in organizational structure,
power, and decision making, worker satisfaction and socialization, organizational culture, and organizational change.
COMM 5214 - Nonfiction Writing for the Mass Media
An advanced writing course designed to increase knowledge and skill in the writing of journalistic nonfiction, addressing both service journalism and literary
journalism.
COMM 5314 - Advanced Communication Law
Examination of the balance between freedom and control of the institutions of mass media; examination of the concepts of individual freedom of expression;
historical and philosophical bases of freedom of expression; introduction to legal research and writing for communication law.
COMM 5414 - Mass Media Effects
Explores major areas of theoretical study of mass communication and
the social
impact of mediated messages.
COMM 5424 - Media Criticism
Different methods, explanations, and perspectives to critique mass
media messages,
focusing on television and advertising. Special attention to
ideological issues
and the relation of media messages to social power.
COMM 5434 - Film Theory and Criticism
Examines the theoretical approaches toward critical analysis of film; focuses
on characteristics, strengths, and limitations of realist,
auteurist, historicist,
structural/semiotic, psychoanalytic, ideological and cognitive models of film
theory.
COMM 5444 - New Communications Technologies
Explores the social implications surrounding the design, production, use and
evaluation of communication technology. Emphasis is on how
communication function
in the creation and use of technology, and how communication and other social
factors may be influenced by technology.
COMM 5514 - Public Relations Theory and Practice
Examines fundamental theory and research in public relations,
including systems
theory, symbolic interactionism, organizational theory, cognitive processing
and persuasion; models of public relations practice, ethics
COMM 5534 - Persuasion and Social Influence
Examines fundamental theory and research on persuasion and social influence.
Emphasis on rhetorical and psychological approaches to persuasion including
source factors in persuasion, message and media effects, audience
factors, and
social and cultural factors in persuasion.
COMM 5544 - Mass Media and Politics
Explores the role of the mass media in contemporary American
politics by examining
the development of the media as sources of social and political influence in
twentieth century America; how the mass media cover political and
issue campaigns
and the influence of coverage on political campaigns and behaviors
of voters.
COMM 5614 - Rhetorical Theory and Criticism
Survey of theories of rhetoric. Focuses on the multiple conceptions of rhetoric through history and the critical methods emerging from rhetorical theory.
These offerings are tentative.
Aspects of the courses may change as they are reviewed through university governance processes
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For more information, please contact:
Dr. John C. Tedesco
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Communication
130B Shanks Hall (0311)
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 24061 USA
540-231-3224
tedesco@vt.edu
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