Communication

Chair: Stephen J. Hartnett
Associate Chair: Hamilton Bean
Graduate Director: Lisa Keränen
Program Assistant: Michelle Médal
Undergraduate Advisors: E. J. Yoder and Yvette Bueno-Olson
Internship Director: Gordana Lazié
Office: Student Commons Building, 1201 Larimer Street, 3rd Floor, Room 3014
Telephone: 303-315-1919
Fax: 303-315-1920

Faculty

Professors:

Brenda J. Allen, PhD, Howard University

Sonja K. Foss, PhD, Northwestern University

Stephen J. Hartnett, PhD, University of California at San Diego

Brian Ott, PhD, Pennsylvania State University

Associate Professors:

Hamilton Bean PhD, University of Colorado at Boulder

Larry Erbert, PhD, University of Iowa

Sarah Fields, PhD, University of Iowa

Lisa Keränen, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

James F. Stratman, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University

Assistant Professors:

Amy Hasinoff, PhD, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Instructors:

Yvette Bueno-Olson, PhD, University of Miami

Ian Dawe, MA, Colorado State University

Kristy Frie, MA, Regis University

Gordana Lazic, PhD, University of Denver

Diann Logan, MA, University of Colorado

Kathleen Pounders, MA, University of Colorado

Michael Rudeen, BA, Tulane University

e.j. Yoder, PhD, University of Denver

The Department of Communication at the University of Colorado Denver enriches understanding of the roles of communication in everyday life, organizational settings and public affairs. While the roots of the study of communication trace back to the ancient arts of philosophy, rhetoric and aesthetics, its contemporary practices speak to the opportunities and dilemmas of participating in a globalized, mediated and multicultural society. A major in communication develops knowledge and skills that are required for many different fields, including advertising, business, international relations, education, public service, government and politics, health care and public relations. Because college graduates are expected to change careers approximately seven times over the course of their lives, and because employers across a wide variety of fields primarily seek applicants with strong oral and written communication skills, a degree in communication is a versatile and timely choice.

The department’s classes are organized in seven pathways, including community service and public affairs, health communication, legal communication, media studies, strategic communication, political communication and government and critical toolbox courses.

Across these pathways, students are encouraged to merge theoretical studies with practical applications, including in-service learning courses, travel study, internships, social justice projects and other experiential modes of learning. The Department of Communication therefore provides students the skills, knowledge and opportunities to use communication to help create a more humane and civil world.

Graduate Program

Click here to learn about the Master of Arts in Communication.

Grade Requirements

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher across all courses applied to a graduate degree or to a graduate certificate.

Course Transfer Policy

A maximum of 9 semester hours of relevant graduate course work may be transferred from another university. Students cannot receive credit for transferred courses in which less than a B grade was earned. Course work transferred from another university must be approved by the director of the MA program and must not have been used for another graduate degree.

Time Limits for Completion of Degree

Students have seven years from the date of the beginning of their course work to complete all requirements for a master’s degree in communication.

Application Procedures for U.S. Citizens

Students must submit the following materials to apply for admission to the MA program:

letter of application explaining career plans and reasons for interest in the degree
online graduate admission application
three letters of recommendation, preferably from university faculty (those writing the recommendations must use the request for recommendation form and their own letterhead stationery)
two official transcripts from every college or university attended
strongly preferred 3.25 undergraduate GPA
resume or vita
academic writing sample (showing ability to make and sustain an argumentative analysis)
GRE scores (we seek above 150 verbal GRE scores)
$50 application fee (nonrefundable)
international students need TOEFL scores in addition to GRE score

The deadline for application for the fall semester is February 1, for spring semester October 1. All application materials should be sent to:

Graduate School
University of Colorado Denver
Campus Box 163
1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1250
P. O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Application Procedures for International Students

Students who are not U.S. citizens should begin the process of application to the MA program in communication by contacting the Office of International Affairs (website: www.ucdenver.edu/academics/InternationalPrograms/OIA/admissions/Pages/default.aspx) at CU Denver. This office will assist students in compiling their application materials, which then are submitted to the communication department. See the Information for International Students chapter for further information.

Graduate Certificate

Click here to learn about the Graduate Certificate in Public Relations.

Grade and Residency Requirements for Certificates

A grade of B or better must be earned in each course completed as part of the certificate (B- is not acceptable). All semester hours for a certificate must be earned at CU Denver.