2000-2001 UAF Catalog

Degrees and Programs

Professional Communication

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Communication (907) 474-6591
Department of Journalism and Broadcasting (907) 474-7761

Degree: M.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 30-34 credits

The M.A. in professional communication provides advanced education for individuals in or pursuing communication related careers in public/nonprofit organizations, media organizations, health care organizations or in higher education. Students take courses that focus on written and oral communication theory and practices.

The degree has two concentrations: The journalism and broadcasting concentration offers specialized journalism and mass communication courses that emphasize building or enhancing professional skills within the context of mass media and communications theory. The communication concentration is both theoretically and pragmatically oriented to prepare students for the professional workplace or for doctoral study.

Graduate Program

Professional Communication -- M.A. Degree

Concentrations: Communication, Journalism and Broadcasting

  1. Complete the general university requirements.
  2. Complete the master's degree requirements.
  3. Complete the following:
    COMM/JB 601 -- Communication Methodologies (3 credits)
    COMM/JB 625 -- Communication Theory (3 credits)
    COMM/JB 699 -- Thesis* (6 credits)
  4. Complete 1 of the following concentrations:

    Communication

    1. Complete the following:
      COMM 600 -- Introduction to Professional Communication (3 credits)
      COMM 675 -- Training and Development Communication (3 credits)
      COMM 680 -- Communication and Diversity in the Professional World (3 credits)
      COMM 682 -- Seminar in Communication (3 credits)
    2. Complete 2 of the following electives:**
      COMM 622 -- Interpersonal Interaction (3 credits)
      COMM 631 -- Teambuilding (3 credits)
      COMM 635 -- Organizational Culture and Communication (3 credits)
    3. Teaching assistants complete the following:
      COMM 661 -- Mentored Teaching in Communication**** (1-4 credits)
    4. Minimum credits required (30-34 credits)

    Journalism and Broadcasting

    1. Complete the following:
      JB 611 -- Advanced Writing for Publication (3 credits)
      JB 613 -- Advanced Mass Media Law and Regulation*** (3 credits)
    2. Complete 12 credits from the following electives:**
      JB 605 -- Advanced Photography Seminar (3 credits)
      JB 623 -- Advanced Editing for Professionals (3 credits)
      JB 633 -- Public Relations Theory and Practice (3 credits)
      JB 640 -- Ethics and Reporting in the Far North (3 credits)
      JB 641 -- Comparative Media Systems (3 credits)
      JB 680 -- Diversity and Media (3 credits)
      JB/ART 684 -- Multimedia Theory and Practice (3 credits)
      JB 697 -- Individual Study (1-6 credits)
    3. Teaching assistants complete the following:
      JB 661 -- Mentored Teaching in Journalism**** (1-4 credits)
    4. Minimum credits required (30-34 credits)

* Students in the journalism concentration who elect to complete a non-thesis project should take 6 credits of JB 698 rather than COMM/JB 699.

** Students may take 300-, 400-, and 600-level courses in art, education, English, journalism and broadcasting, communication, marketing, business administration, and northern studies as well as graduate level independent studies to fulfill 6-credits of the elective requirement, if approved by the student's committee. Students will also be able to apply up to 6 credits of appropriate graduate level coursework from other universities in the elective area if approved by the student's committee.

*** Students with upper division, undergraduate coursework in mass media law may substitute a JB elective for JB 613.

**** This 1 credit course may be taken up to four times.

Note: A maximum of 6 credits of approved 300- 400-level courses may be included in the 30-34 credit requirement.

Note: The comprehensive examination is to be taken no later than the student's fourth semester of work.