Apr 25, 2025  
2018-2019 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2018-2019 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication MA

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►   Graduate School Policies and Procedures  apply to this program

Our vibrant community of scholars and teachers is committed to providing a real world, hands-on, and theoretically robust master’s degree that will enrich students’ communication knowledge and skills for the twenty-first century. Our program is a 33-credit generalist degree designed to enhance students’ intellectual and professional growth through the understanding and practice of effective communication. Our faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized leaders in their field, and our students hail from all over the world.

Students who complete our program often receive offers to top-notch PhD programs or accept or continue in positions related to communication management, strategic communication, public relations, media relations, human relations, and corporate and non-profit communications. 

Degree Requirements

The MA degree in communication requires the completion of 33 hours of graduate course work (5000 level or above). As explained below, students have the option of taking 6 hours of 4000-level courses outside of Communication. In this situation, a student will take 27 hours of graduate credit and 6 hours of 4000-level (undergraduate) course work. The requirements for course work are as follows:

Required Introduction Course

Total: 3 Hours

 

Methods Course

Most methods courses are offered every other year. Students who wish to pursue a PhD may elect to take additional methods classes in or outside the department.

Choose one:

 

 

Total: 3 Hours

 

Graduate Seminars*

In addition to the above core requirements, students must take five graduate seminars from the Department of Communication. Graduate seminars are 5000- or 6000-level courses.  Seminars are often topics classes taught in faculty areas of expertise.

Total: 15 Hours

 

Electives

Students must complete four electives. A minimum of two of these electives must be at the 5000 or 6000 level; the remaining two may be at the 4000 level, provided the 4000 level classes are outside the department. At least two of the four electives must be communication courses; the remaining two electives may be taken from outside of the Department of Communication.

Total: 12 Hours

 

Thesis

Students wishing to complete a thesis must register for between 3-6 semester hours of thesis work, and will need 33 credits to graduate. Credit for a thesis may substitute for one or two elective course requirements.

Total: 3-6 Hours

Students must receive a grade of B or higher in all courses that are applied to the MA degree.

All students must pass a comprehensive examination at the end of course work.

Students must comply with all rules of the CU Denver Graduate School.

Degree Total: 33 Hours

 

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