Communication, Professional

College of Liberal Arts
Department of Communication
(907) 474-6591
www.uaf.edu/cojo/

M.A. Degree

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 30-34 credits

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The communication program prepares students to handle the challenges of communicating effectively and ethically in a rapidly changing world characterized by diversity in gender, cultural background and belief.

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 organizational communication theory and practices.

The program is both theoretically and pragmatically oriented to prepare students for the professional workplace or for doctoral study in organizations.

Graduate Program--M.A. Degree

1. Complete the general university requirements.
2. Complete the master's degree requirements.
3. Complete the following:
   1. COMM 600--Introduction to Professional Communication--3 credits
      COMM 601--Communication Research Methodologies (Social Science)--3 credits
      COMM 602--Communication Research Methodologies (Human Science)--3 credits
      COMM 625--Communication Theory--3 credits
      COMM 675--Training and Development Communication--3 credits
      COMM 680--Communication and Diversity in the Professional World--3 credits
      COMM 699--Thesis*--6 credits
   2. Complete two of the following electives:**
      COMM 622--Interpersonal Interaction--3 credits
      COMM 631--Teambuilding--3 credits
      COMM 635--Organizational Culture and Communication--3 credits
      COMM 642--Health Communication--3 credits
      COMM 682--Seminar in 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

* Students in the journalism concentration who elect to complete a non-thesis project should take 6 credits of JRN 698 rather than COMM/JRN 699.
** Students may take 400- and 600-level courses in art, education, English, journalism, 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 course work from other universities in the elective area if approved by the student's committee.
*** This 1 credit course may be taken up to four times.
Note: A maximum of 6 credits of approved 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.