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Graduate Studies

Communication
2024-2025

Admission | Courses | Program | Integrated |Requirements | Profile

Chairperson:Ìý Peter F. Jorgensen
Graduate Committee Chairperson: Nathan Miczo
Office: Memorial 302
Telephone: (309) 298-1507
E-mail: communication@wiu.edu
Website: wiu.edu/cofac/communication/graduate.php
Location of Program Offering: Macomb

Graduate Faculty

Professors

  • Josh Averbeck, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma
  • Christopher Carpenter, Ph.D., Michigan State University
  • Peter F. Jorgensen, Ph.D., University of Arizona
  • Maceio Ilon Lauer, Ph.D., University of Georgia
  • Nathan Miczo, Ph.D., University of Arizona

Associate Professor

  • John Miller, Ph.D., Wayne State University

Assistant Professor

  • Theodore Avtgis, Ph.D., Kent State University
  • Danyang Zhao, Ph.D., Florida State University

Learning Outcomes

For student learning outcomes, please see wiu.edu/provost/learningoutcomes.

ÌýProgram Description

The Master of Arts degree in Communication emphasizes both theoretical and applied knowledge. The general communication program offers students higher levels of knowledge, skills, theory, research, and practical experience in the communication discipline. Students often participate in seminars and one-to-one work with faculty members.

Graduates of the program pursue professional careers in a broad range of business and educational organizations or continue their graduate education beyond the master’s level.

ÌýIntegrated Baccalaureate and Master's Degree Program

Please visit Integrated Programs for details and program offerings.

ÌýAdmission Requirements

  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 OR 3.0 or higher GPA for the last two years (60 s.h.) of undergraduate work

  • Written goals statement explaining their decision to pursue a graduate degree in Communication from Íæż½ã½ã

  • Example of scholarly writing (minimum of 5 pages)

  • International students must have an overall TOEFL score of at least 92 or an overall IELTS score of 6.5.

Those not holding at least an undergraduate minor in communication or those deficient in undergraduate courses, skills, or advanced theoretical knowledge may be asked, upon evaluation of their transcripts, to make up deficiencies prior to full graduate standing. If and when deficiencies exist in the applicant's undergraduate curriculum, specific undergraduate courses will be assigned to such an individual until the candidate has demonstrated a sufficient level of competence in the designated areas of concern. Deficiency courses do not apply toward graduate credit. Possible deficiency courses include:

Communication

COMM 130 Introduction to Human Communication
COMM 247 Argumentation
COMM 311 Research Design in Communication
COMM 312 Rhetorical Theory
COMM 343 Organizational Communication
COMM 344 Interpersonal Communication
COMM 356 Introduction to Persuasion

Each applicant will be evaluated on an individual basis; hence the nature and the number of courses to be made up (if any) will vary from student to student. The suggested menu of deficiency courses, therefore, should not be construed as all-inclusive nor as specific.

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is not required for regular admission to the Communication graduate program.

Students entering the Communication program must enroll during either the fall or spring semester.

ÌýDegree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree in Communication requires a minimum of 33 semester hours of course work, to be distributed as follows:

I. Core Courses: 9 s.h.

COMM 500 Communication Theory (3)
COMM 504 Empirical Research in Human Communication (3)
COMM 506 Message Production (3)

II. Directed Departmental Electives: 9 s.h.

Directed electives must be at the 500 level, excluding COMM 520, COMM 596, COMM 601, COMM 602, COMM 603, COMM 604, and COMM 679.

III. Exit Options (Select one): 15–16 s.h.

A. Thesis

COMM 601 Thesis (6)
Directed Electives (9)

B. Creative Project

COMM 602 Creative Projects (3)