The degree program requires completion of a minimum of 33 credit hours of study, of which no more than 12 may be transfer credit (including graduate courses taken at the College of Charleston). An approved plan of study for each student must be on file with the Graduate School after the completion of no more than nine graduate credit hours. All graduate students must earn a satisfactory rating on a comprehensive examination after completing 24 graduate hours in the program. Policies and administration of the comprehensive examination are determined by the Department of Communication Graduate Committee.

Students may choose a thesis option or a non-thesis option for completing the program. The thesis option requires completion of a traditional research project, with students registering for three credit hours of Master's Thesis during each of two consecutive semesters (COMM 701-702). For any thesis project extending into additional semesters, including the summer, students are required to register for additional Master's Thesis hours. Master's Thesis hours do not satisfy elective credit hours.

The non-thesis option requires completion of an approved three-credit-hour graduate Internship (COMM 795), with a provision for waiving the internship requirement if a student demonstrates appropriate professional experience in a communication career. Those receiving an internship waiver must still complete a minimum of 33 graduate credit hours to earn the Master of Arts in Communication. A student must work directly with his or her adviser before and during the internship experience. The policies governing the graduate internship program are determined by the Department of Communication Graduate Committee.

Whether in the thesis or non-thesis option, all students are required to complete the following courses:

COMM 501 Quantitative Research Methods (3 credit hours)

COMM 502 Qualitative Research Methods (3 credit hours)

COMM 510 Communication Theory (3 credit hours)

COMM 521 or 580 Seminar Requirement (3 credit hours)

COMM 681 or 682 Rhetorical Theory Requirement (3 credit hours)

Students also must complete one of two seminar or special-topics courses (COMM 521, or 580) to acquire proficiency in a communication context.

All options for degree completion requirements are constrained by elapsed time and GPA requirements for graduation and any other graduation requirements specified by the Graduate School of the College of Charleston.

Elective Courses

The courses listed below can be used as electives in the degree program:

COMM 507 Seminar in Communication Management (3)

COMM 522 International and Intercultural Communication (3)

COMM 524 Speechwriting in Public Communication (3)

COMM 525 Executive Communication (3)

COMM 535 Public Relations Campaigns (3)

COMM 561 Identity and Impression Management (3)

COMM 584 Contemporary Problems in Communication Ethics (3)

COMM 698 Tutorial (3)
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COMM 699 Independent Study (1-3 credit hours)
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COMM 700 Seminar (3 credit hours)

Course Descriptions

All courses typically meet at the North Campus in the evenings.

COMM 501 Quantitative Research Methods (3)
Quantitative methods employed in communication research, including experiments and surveys. Students will design quantitative research projects, learn to analyze data, and write research reports.

COMM 502 Qualitative Research Methods (3)
Qualitative methods employed in communication research, including ethnography, textual analysis, and interviewing methods. Students will design qualitative research projects, learn to analyze data, and write research reports.

COMM 507 Issues in Communication Management (3)
A course on the issues and practices affecting the management of complex organizations, with an emphasis on conflict communication and negotiation.

COMM 510 Communication Theory (3)
This course focuses on three epistemological approaches to the study of communication--empirical, interpretive, and critical. The student will learn to consider each of these approaches, and in particular, what constitutes ways of knowing from each of the three perspectives, leading to an advanced understanding of the main theories of human and mediated communication.

COMM 521 Seminar in Small Group Communication (3)
A seminar course on a problem, issue, or context studied by group communication scholars from a social-scientific perspective (e.g., task-oriented group decision development, decision-making agenda). Topics vary from semester to semester. Prerequisite: COMM 510 or consent of instructor.

COMM 522 International and Intercultural Communication (3)
A review of intercultural, cross-cultural, and international communication theories and issues. Implications for culturally diverse organizations.

COMM 524 Speechwriting in Public Communication (3)
Case-driven study of major types of contemporary speeches and the speechwriting process in public communication, with an emphasis on the preparation of speech manuscripts and training in manuscript speech delivery and presentational technologies.

COMM 525 Executive Communication (3)
A study of the communication competencies required for successful organizational leadership, including individual and group presentations, meeting management, and utilization of communication technologies.

COMM 535 Public Relations Campaigns (3)
The course has a primary emphasis on group work on behalf of an outside client based on current theories of organizational communication. Students will engage in significant research elements such as focus group and surveys, as well as budgets and timetables. Students formally present comprehensive findings and proposals to the client.

COMM 561 Identity and Impression Management (3)
This course surveys theories and research regarding how individuals, groups, and organizations attempt to manage the ways they are perceived by others through the strategic manipulation of communication practices and cues.

COMM 580 Seminar in Organizational Communication (3)
This course offers graduate students advanced understanding of theory and research in special topic areas. The focus is on topics most applicable to the areas of organizational communication and public relations. Prerequisite: COMM 510 or consent of instructor.

COMM 584 Contemporary Problems in Communication Ethics (3)
This course applies classical and contemporary philosophical and social scientific theories to ethical issues associated with interpersonal, group, organizational, and other communication contexts.

COMM 681 Classical Rhetorical Theory (3)
A critical survey of Greco-Roman rhetorical thought, from the pre-Socratic Sophists to St. Augustine, including the influence of classical theories on the Medieval and Renaissance periods in Europe. Readings drawn from primary sources as well as contemporary commentary on classical theories. Prerequisite: COMM 510 or consent of instructor.

COMM 682 Modern and Contemporary Rhetorical Theory (3)
The study of Western rhetorical theory from the seventeenth century to the present. This course will survey the insights of rhetorical theory with respect to messages delivered in interpersonal, group, organizational, and public communication contexts. Prerequisite: COMM 510 or consent of instructor.

COMM 698 Tutorial (3)
Individual study of a given topic following a syllabus of readings, papers, and other requirements prescribed by a faculty member.

COMM 699 Independent Study (1-3)
Individual study of an agreed-upon topic under the direction of a faculty member, following a course of reading and other requirements proposed by the student and established by negotiation with the graduate faculty member.

COMM 701-702 Master’s Thesis (6)
Six credit hours for completion of a formal master’s thesis under faculty direction. A successful oral defense of the thesis is required.

COMM 795 Internship (3)
A supervised field experience (by the student’s adviser) in which the student observes and participates in work related to the communication degree. The internship requires 120 or more hours of work and completion of a formal report. Permission of the program director is required. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

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