College of Humanities and Social
Sciences
Master of Arts in Communication Studies
Please visit the Master of Arts in Communication Studies website.
PROGRAM COORDINATOR
Dr. Jack Sargent
Center for Academic Success
(CAS) 431
(908) 737-0467/0460
jsargent@kean.edu
OVERVIEW
The Master of Arts in Communication Studies with a concentration in Organizational Communication prepares students to focus on a wide variety of paradigms that link the process of human communication with organizational behavior, interpersonal relationships, leadership, culture, and management practices within a diverse and changing society. Students are provided the opportunity to engage in a multifaceted course of study that is grounded in a strong theoretical base, with an emphasis on communication and culture framed within the study of organizations. Within the concentration, students can focus their studies toward the more traditional approach to Organizational Communication or they can take an applied approach in choosing their coursework. At the end of their studies, students are provided the option of either writing a thesis or taking a comprehensive examination.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
In addition to the University’s admission requirements:
- GRE (Graduate Record Exam) test scores
- Three letters of recommendation
- Written personal statement about the student’s goals and objectives
- Departmental interview may be required
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Plan A - Thesis Option (33 credits - 27 credits of coursework plus 6 hours of thesis credit)
- Nine (9) credits required core courses
- Twelve (12) credits minimum from Electives I
- Six (6) credits from either Electives I or Electives II or with six (6) credits maximum outside the department
- Six (6) thesis credits
Plan B - Non-Thesis Option (33 credits)
- Nine (9) credits required core courses
- Twelve (12) credits minimum from Electives I
- Twelve (12) credits from either Electives I or Electives II with six (6) credits maximum outside the department
- Students do not receive credit for the Comprehensive Examination
Required Courses 9 credits
- COMM 5004 Organizational Communication Theory 3
- COMM 5006 Cultural Communication in Organizations 3
- COMM 5002 Quantitative Research Methods 3
Or
- COMM 5005 Interpretive Research Methods 3
Electives I
- COMM 5001 Advanced Theories in Interpersonal Communication 3
- COMM 5003 Consulting and Assessment in Organizational Communication 3
- COMM 5007 Current Issues in Organizational Communication 3
- COMM 5009 Public Relations Theory, Strategy, and Management 3
- COMM 5010 Current Issues in Communication and Culture 3
- COMM 5011 Corporate Writing and Message Dissemination 3
- COMM 5012 Small Group Decision Making and Leadership 3
- COMM 5013 Advanced Presentation Skills and Motivational Practices 3
- COMM 5016 Current Issues in Applied Communication 3
- COMM 5615 Communication and Mediation 3
- COMM 5625 Communication and Negotiation 3
- COMM 5535 Crisis Communication in Organizations 3
- COMM 5626 Multicultural Communication in International Conflict Resolution 3
Electives II
- COMM 5510 Communication and Popular Culture* 3
- COMM 5540 Communication and Conflict Resolution* 3
- COMM 5620 Media Journalism 3
- COMM 5630 Gender, Language and Communication* 3
- COMM 5640 Public Relations Cases* 3
- COMM 5660 Public Relations* 3
- COMM 5665 Public Relations Writing* 3
- COMM 5675 Media Advertising 3
- COMM 5425 Nonverbal Communication* 3
- COMM 5525 Communication and Technology* 3
- COMM 5590 Business and Technical Presentations* 3
- COMM 5610 Communication and Law* 3
* Undergraduate/Graduate Courses. Graduate students will have the option of taking courses with undergraduate students. In these courses, graduate students will be given additional course work, readings, and may have individual meetings with faculty members. Students will not be allowed to receive graduate credit for these courses if they have previously taken them for undergraduate credit. In addition, some of these courses may be required as prerequisites for admission to the master’s program. Prerequisite courses will not count toward the master’s degree.
Total 33 Credits