Master of Arts in Applied Communication
Application Deadlines
•We review applications once each year (in the Spring semester) for admission in the Fall semester. The deadline for Fall 2008 admission has passed.
•Applications for Fall 2009 admission will be accepted online through the Graduate College’s online application system (see below) beginning in August 2008.
•Specific deadlines for Fall 2009 admissions and Graduate Assistantships will be announced in August 2008.
Overview of the Program
The Master of Arts in Applied Communication is managed by the Speech Communication program at Northern Arizona University. The program is in its fourth year, and currently enrolls 50 students both on campus and via distance education. The MA in Applied Communication and the Speech Communication program are housed in the School of Communication, a unit within the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Northern Arizona University.
The study of communication is vital for societies becoming more complex in their daily functions; for institutions, groups, and individuals confronting the challenges of human diversity and technologically-mediated social and political relationships; and for a world that is increasingly interdependent and threatened by environmental change. Finding solutions to problems that confront business, government, schools, families, and social relationships can emerge from the careful study of how people communicate with each other. No matter what profession one holds, no matter what service a person provides to his/her community, no matter what an individual or group values in life, a broad understanding of the theory and practice of communication can be of importance.
Goals of the Program
The faculty at NAU believe that the Master of Arts in Applied Communication will provide students with advanced skills in analysis, problem-solving, critical thinking, research, writing, and oral communication which can enhance the student’s contributions to and success in Arizona’s technologically sophisticated, information-based, and dynamic economy. The MA in Applied Communication degree program seeks interested persons who hold a bachelor’s degree and desire a master’s degree that centers upon integrating knowledge in the field of communication with emphasis on organizations, technology, diversity, and/or environmental issues. The program is designed to enhance students’ existing knowledge base and expertise and does not require undergraduate coursework in communication.
The Curriculum
The Master of Arts in Applied Communication consists of 36 semester credits, including 9 credits of required courses, 21 credits of other courses (up to 9 of which can be in related fields outside of communication, with advisor approval), and 6 credits for a thesis or projects.
The following 9 credits are required courses for all students in the degree program:
• COM 600 Communication Theory and Application (3 credits). Overview of the major theories guiding the study of communication including the development, function and application of these theories.
• COM 601 Research Methods in Communication (3 credits).
Introduction to research planning and design, methods of inquiry, and
presentation of research results in the field of communication.
• COM 698 Seminar in Communication Theory (3 credits; variable topics, may be repeated for credit when the topic differs).
In-depth research seminar on a selected topic stressing the application of theory to solve contemporary problems. Seminars offered in previous semesters have focused on topics such as communication ethics, environmental communication, and media representations of Native Americans.
The following are elective courses (you can also take, with advisor approval, up to 9 credits of electives outside of SC/COM):
• SC 503 Classroom Communication (3 credits)
• SC 524 Gender and Communication (3 credits)
• SC 560 Rhetorical Theory (3 credits)
• SC 565 American Political Communication (3 credits)
• SC 568 Communication in Contemporary Society (3 credits)
• SC 572 Organizational Communication (3 credits)
• SC 575 Health Communication (3 credits)
• SC 577 Mediation and Conflict Management (3 credits)
• SC 599 Contemporary Developments (3 credits)
• COM 685 Independent Research (1-6 credits)
• COM 697 Independent Study (1-3 credits)
• COM 698 Seminar in Communication Theory (3 credits) is a variable topics course that can be repeated for credit under a different topic.
Students will be required to complete a thesis (COM 699) for at least 6 credits or two graduate projects (COM 690) for at least 3 credits each.
• The thesis will follow the guidelines identified in the Graduate Catalog and promote the appropriate use of scholarly rules for collecting, interpreting, and judging data as well as presenting findings.
• The projects involve the application of selected theories and research to practical problems that confront working professionals.
Faculty
The MA in Applied Communication has a dedicated group of Graduate Faculty who have developed a reputation for being excellent teachers, noted scholars, and active public servants. Our faculty members believe in mentoring; we will help students develop a program of study that fits their interests, we will encourage students to be active professionals and attend conferences and workshops, and we will urge students to identify, discuss, and evaluate the ethical and social implications of communication in our world.
The Graduate Faculty of the MA in Applied Communication consists of the following individuals:
Course Offerings and Full- or Part-Time Enrollment
We are committed to offering at least one distance-based graduate course each semester as well as offering courses on evenings and weekends for those who work during the day. The program can be completed on a part-time basis solely via distance-based courses in 3-4 years. On-campus students have the option to attend the program on a full-time or part-time basis. Full-time enrollment (with a mix of distance and face-to-face courses) allows completion of the degree in approximately two years. Our program, by offering both traditional and distance options, can thereby serve students throughout Arizona.
Graduate Assistantships
We currently have five Graduate Assistantships which involve either teaching a basic public speaking course or working in the School of Communication’s advising center. Generally 2-3 GAs are available each year and come with a stipend and partial tuition waiver. For further information regarding GAs, please contact Dr. Richard Rogers, Director of Graduate Studies.
Next Steps for Interested Students
If you plan to apply to the MA program in Applied Communication, visit the NAU Graduate College website. There, you can access general information for prospective students and review other graduate programs at NAU. Applications can be submitted online through the Graduate College.
In addition to the basic application requirements of NAU’s Graduate College, the MA in Applied Communication requires the following items for application:
- An updated resumé.
- A personal statement of interest in this degree program (generally 2-3 pages).
-
Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
- Three letters of reference from individuals who are familiar with your educational, professional, or other experiences, training, and background, and who are in a position to comment upon your preparation and/or suitability for graduate study.
- If you wish to apply for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), your three letters of reference should be from persons familiar with your academic performance. At least two of these letters must be from faculty members and should address your suitability for a teaching assistantship in addition to your suitability for graduate study in communication. In addition, applicants for a teaching assistantship should submit a writing sample and a statement of teaching interest (generally 1-2 pages). Applicants for Graduate Teaching Assistantships are encouraged to work closely with the MAAC Director of Graduate Studies as they prepare their application materials.
- READ the M.A. in Applied Communication Handbook
Contact Us
If you have questions about graduate study in Communication, at NAU or in general, please contact Dr. Richard Rogers, Director of Graduate Studies.
We look forward to hearing from you!
