Professional Communication M.A.

Catalog Department Overview ►

Minimum Requirements for Professional Communication M.A. Degree: 30 credits

Credits
General University Requirements
Complete the graduate general university requirements.
Master’s Degree Requirements
Complete the master's degree requirements.
Professional Communication Program Requirements
Complete the following:
COM F603Communication Research Methods3
COM F622Communication in Interpersonal Relationships3
COM F625Communication Theory3
COM F645Organizational Communication3
COM F680Communication and Diversity in the Professional World3
Complete one of the following:3
COM F601
Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
COM F602
Communication Research Methodologies: Human Science
Complete two of the following: 16
COM F633
Public Relations Theory and Practice
COM F642
Communication in Health Contexts
COM F675
Training and Development Communication
COM F682
Seminar in Communication
Or other F400- or F600-level courses as approved by the advisory committee
Options
Complete one of the following:6
Coursework Only
Thesis
Project
Total Credits30
1

Students may take F400- and F600-level courses in art, education, English, journalism, communication, marketing, business administration and Arctic and Northern studies as well as graduate-level independent studies to fulfill 6 credits of the elective requirement if approved by the student’s committee. Students will also be able to apply up to 6 credits of appropriate graduate-level coursework from other universities in the elective area if approved by the student’s committee.

Note: A maximum of 6 credits of approved F400-level courses may be included in the 30-34 credit requirement.

Note: The comprehensive examination is to be taken no later than the student’s fourth semester of work.

Options

Coursework Only

Credits
Coursework Only Requirements
Complete 6 credits of F400- or F600-level courses as approved by the advisory committee6
Total Credits6

Thesis

Credits
Thesis Requirements
COM F699Thesis6
Total Credits6

Project

Credits
Project Requirements
COM F698Non-thesis Research/Project6
Total Credits6
Catalog Department Overview ►

Admission Requirements

Complete the following general university admission requirements for graduate programs.

  1. Submit an application for admission
  2. Submit official transcripts
  3. Official test results: GRE scores are neither required nor considered for this program
  4. Submit resume/curriculum vitae
  5. Submit statement of academic goals
  6. Submit 2 letters of recommendation
International Students: Please consult UAF’s most recent application requirements regarding English language proficiency.
 
Additional program admission requirements and information
  • Submit an academic writing sample.
  • More information about the statement of goals is available here.
  • The Department of Communication encourages applicants to apply at any time. We have rolling admissions for fall, spring and summer start dates. 
  • Note: This program cannot support international students at this time, as the online program does not meet the federal in-person credit hour requirements.

Catalog Department Overview ►

Roadmaps

Roadmaps provide suggested semester-by-semester study plans for programs and are based on full-time enrollment, unless otherwise specified.

  • This roadmap should be used in conjunction with regular academic advising sessions. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor or mentor each semester.
  • Certain courses and milestones must be completed in the specified semester to ensure on-time graduation.
  • Transfer credits may affect the roadmap.
  • Requirements, course availability, and sequencing may change.
  • Courses marked with (*) are recommended.

Coursework Only Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COM F603203COM F601 or F602203
COM F622 or F645203COM F680203
COM F625203Program Elective3
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COM F622 or F645203Program Elective3
Program Elective3Program Elective3
 6 6
Total Credits 30

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Thesis Option 

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COM F603203COM F601 or F602203
COM F622 or F645203COM F680203
COM F625203Program Elective3
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COM F622 or F645203COM F699183
COM F699183Program Elective3
 6 6
Total Credits 30

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Project Option

First Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COM F603203COM F601 or F602203
COM F622 or F645203COM F680203
COM F625203Program Elective3
 9 9
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits
COM F622 or F645203COM F698183
COM F698183Program Elective3
 6 6
Total Credits 30

Footnote Definitions

General Education Requirements Degree Requirements Program & Other Requirements
1--Communication 8--Alaska Native-themed 20--Program Requirement
2--Arts 9--Communication 21--Capstone Requirement
3--Humanities 10--Computation 22--Concentration Course
4--Social Sciences 11--Ethics 23--General Elective
5--Additional Arts, Humanities or Social Sciences 12--Humanities 24--Minor Course
6--Mathematics 13--Human Relations 25--Upper Division
7--Natural Sciences 14--Humanities or Social Sciences 26--Program Elective
15--Library & Information Research
16--Mathematics
17--Natural Sciences
18--Other
19--Social Sciences

Catalog Department Overview ►

Program Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes are specific, measurable statements that define the knowledge and skills students will gain by the end of the program.

Graduates of this program will be able to:

  • Describe the communication discipline and its central questions
  • Employ communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts
  • Engage in communication inquiry
  • Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context
  • Critically analyze messages
  • Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy
  • Apply ethical communication principles and practices
  • Utilize communication to embrace difference
  • Influence public discourse