Master of Arts in Communication
Build the research and critical thinking skills you need to launch your career in communication or pursue an advanced degree.
Program Overview
The Master of Arts (MA) in Communication provides students with a strong theoretical and methodological base for analyzing and researching human communication. Students pursue coursework in theory construction, research design, and data analysis while working with our expert faculty.
The program prepares graduates for entry into fields that require analysis of communication situations, including advertising and marketing, personnel training, organization research, and social program evaluation. We also provide a solid foundation for Ph.D. work.
Degree Requirements
Students are required to complete at least 33 credit hours of graduate coursework and, in conjunction with their advisory committee, choose either a thesis, a comprehensive exam, or a capstone project to fulfill program requirements. A minimum of 30 credits in total (including core courses and thesis- or project-related courses, if applicable) must come from graduate-level COMM courses.
Visit the UConn Graduate Catalog’s website for the most up-to-date degree requirements for the current academic year.
Students must take the following three core methods courses (9 credits total):
- COMM 5000: Fundamentals of Theory, Research, and Design
- COMM 5001: Introduction to Graduate Communication Research
- COMM 5002: Communication Research Methods
Students must also take two core theory courses (6 credits) and five elective courses (15 credits) in their selected specialty area.
Our program offers a variety of specialty areas that will prepare students for careers in many fields. Students can pursue the specialty area most aligned with their personal and professional needs, goals, and interests. Much like our undergraduate program, we also cover a wide variety of topics in our graduate course catalog.
Potential specialty areas:
- Health Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
- Marketing Communication
- Mass Communication
- New Communication Technology
- Nonverbal Communication
- Persuasion
- Political Communication
To complete their MA program, students must either write a thesis, take a comprehensive examination, or complete a Capstone Project. Students select the option that best fits their goals in consultation with their major advisor, subject to the advisor’s approval.
Information about required courses and credits, timelines, final examination, thesis option, and more is available in the Department of Communication Graduate Student Handbook (UConn NetID login is required).
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester
- Dec. 1: For consideration for graduate assistantships. Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis.
- May 1: Final deadline for fall admission.
Spring Semester
- Nov. 1: Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis.
- Dec. 15: Final deadline for spring admission.
Please note that most graduate students apply for admission in the fall semester.
Resources for Graduate Students
Faculty
Faculty in our department are engaged educators and mentors to graduate students.
Financial Aid
Teaching and research assistantships are available to qualified MA and Ph.D. students.
Job Placements
Our graduate alumni go on to work in academia, government, industry, and the nonprofit sectors.
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