Organizational Communications- Public Affairs Communications Concentration (Thesis), MA

Master of Arts in Organizational Communications

Graduate Program Coordinator:
Dr. Adrian Krishnasamy
 

The Master of Arts in Organizational Communications prepares students for responsible leadership positions in public, private and non-profit organizations. In addition, it prepares students for doctoral studies in human communications. This program is an innovative approach to meeting the challenge of a changing environment. The program contains several unique features, including the following:

• a lockstep format designed to provide a foundation in managerial and analytical techniques
• access to the Internet, electronic mail, and several computer laboratories for course related activities
• access to cable television and radio program production
• a problem-solving environment providing real organizational problems in which to apply communications theories

Admission to the Program

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or better (on a 4.0 point scale). Interested persons should complete an Application for Admission (including a Supplemental Application with three references) to the Graduate School, pay the application fee, and submit an official copy of the undergraduate transcript.

Program Objectives

The program makes provision for the student to acquire skills in:

• effective presentations
• effective interpersonal communications
• group and organizational communications
• performing communications audits
• organizational development
• telecommunications policy crafting and knowledge of major issues in international communications debates
• desktop publishing
• Internet-based research
• new telecommunications technology
• issue and crisis management
• applied communications research
• mediation and conflict management
• planning and implementing communications campaigns.

Graduates from this program are prepared for careers in public policy, public relations, public affairs, telecommunications, communications management, communications consultancy, organizational development, organizational publications, research, and other fields needed by a wide range of organizations.

Concentrations–Thesis Option

Telecommunications Policy
Public Affairs Communications

The thesis option master’s program is a 12-course degree program equaling 36 credit hours. Core courses (15 credit hours) are required of all students. The development of expertise in a specific concentration is possible by choosing additional non-core courses (15 credit hours) from the program and six credit hours of courses from other graduate level offerings outside the program. In this option, students must complete a Master’s Thesis that includes original, applied research. Students will write their thesis as part of ORGC 738 Applied Research Design (Fall only) and ORGC 815 Thesis (Spring only). Students are also required to pass a comprehensive examination. Furthermore, the thesis option prepares graduates for doctoral degree study in human communications and related fields of study.

Public Affairs Communications - Thesis Option