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1998-99 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

Degrees: M.A.

Minimum Requirements for Degree: 30-33 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 is pragmatically based for the practicing professional. 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: Journalism and Broadcasting, Communication

  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)
    ENGL 687 -- Writing Professional Prose (3 credits)
  4. Complete 1 of the following concentrations:

    Journalism and Broadcasting

    1. Complete the following:
      JB 623 -- Advanced Editing for Professionals (3 credits)
      JB 680 -- Diversity and Media (3 credits)
      JB/ART 684 -- Multi Media Theory and Practice (3 credits)
    2. Complete 2 of the following electives:*
      JB 605 -- Advanced Photography Seminar (3 credits)
      JB 611 -- Advanced Writing for Publication (3 credits)
      JB 613 -- Advanced Mass Media Law and Regulation (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)
    3. Minimum credits required (30-33 credits)

    Communication

    1. Complete the following:**
      COMM 675 -- Training and Development Communication (3 credits)
      COMM 680 -- Communication and Diversity in the Professional World (3 credits)
      ENGL 689 -- Editing Prose (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)
      COMM 682 -- Seminar in Communication (3 credits)
    3. Minimum credits required (30-33 credits)

* 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 the 6-credit 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.

** COMM 685 -- Teaching College Communication is an additional requirement for teaching assistants.

Note: a maximum of 6 credits of approved 300- 400-level courses ay be included in the 30-33 credit requirement.

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