Communication, M.A.

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH A master of Arts in Communication

A master's degree in communication prepares you for leadership and managerial roles in various communication fields and is a valuable asset in any field where strong written and verbal communication skills are valued. You will also develop in-demand skills, such as oral and written communication, teamwork, critical thinking, and professionalism.

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What You'll Learn in the communication master's program

Core courses cover writing, research, and theory, while specialty courses explore diverse areas such as organizational, intercultural, and small group communication, advanced public speaking, popular culture and communication media, and media criticism. 

What makes MSU's program different

Our program is completely online and can be completed in as little as one year, allowing you to earn your degree at your own pace and fit classes into your busy schedule. 

Admission to the communication master's program

To enroll in the program, you must be accepted for graduate study at MSU.

• Apply to Graduate School 

Additional Admission Requirements

1. Satisfactory undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5. Applicants must meet the Graduate School's requirement of a minimum 2.5 overall undergraduate GPA for general admission to graduate study at MSU (for criteria, refer to Admission to Graduate Study).
2. Sufficient academic preparation in the communication field. Applicants should have completed an undergraduate major or minor in Communication. Where an applicant is judged to have insufficient academic preparation in the communication field, such as completing fewer than nine credit hours in oral communication and/or media-related communication, additional courses may be required to qualify for admission.
3. Satisfactory GRE score or alternative qualification. Applicants must satisfy one of the following requirements:
   • GPA/GRE Index - A minimum INDEX score of 781 according to this formula: Undergraduate cumulative GPA x (GRE verbal score + GRE quantitative score), with a minimum GRE verbal score of 146.
   • Completed M.A. degree - Documentation of a completed Master of Arts degree from a regionally accredited school will exempt the applicant from having to take the GRE and satisfy the GPA x GRE index. Alternatively, applicants who do not meet requirements a or b may request conditional admission and circumvent taking the GRE by completing their first nine graduate credit hours in Communication at MSU with a GPA of 3.5 and no grade lower than a B. Students who fail to achieve a 3.5 after completing nine credit hours at MSU in Communication must take the GRE and meet the minimum GRE/GPA index score before taking additional credit hours in COMM courses.
4. TOEFL - Students who speak English as a foreign language must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 525 to be considered for admission to the program.