Communication (M.A.) < Wayne State (2024)

The Department offers a master's degree in Communication with concentrations in the following areas:

• Communication Studies
• Journalism
• Media Arts and Studies (an admissions moratorium is in effect for this concentration)
• Public Relations & Organizational Communication

Admission Requirements

Admission to this program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. Admission to the M.A. program is competitive and is based on an applicant’s entire academic record; the following requirements are minimum standards for consideration and do not guarantee admission. The Department requires that the applicant have a B.A. or B.S. in communication or a related field with a minimum 3.2 (‘B’=3.0) grade point average for the upper-division of coursework (usually the coursework in the major) and a minimum of fifteen credit hours in communication.

The department also closely evaluates the sample of written work and academic/professional statement of purpose for evidence of potential to do graduate-level work.

In instances where an applicant's B.A. is not in communication and the transcript shows fewer than 15 credit hours of coursework in communication, the applicant may be admitted with a requirement to take specific and/or additional coursework. The Director of Graduate Studies for the Department should be contacted for further information.

Applicants with a grade point average below 3.2 for the upper-division coursework (usually the coursework in the major) may submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores as additional evidence of academic ability. Applicants may also seek admission as a post-bachelor student to the university and take upper-division classes in the Department of Communication to raise their undergraduate GPA. The Director of Graduate Studies for the Department should be contacted for further information.

The M.A. application requires a completed application form, transcripts, academic/professional statement of purpose, and writing sample. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year.

Applicants should complete the online Application for Graduate Admission (wayne.edu/admissions/graduate), and upload the following to the application site:

• Degree transcripts from each college and university previously attended. Official transcripts should be sent directly from the degree-granting institution to the Office of Graduate Admissions, Wayne State University, Detroit MI 48202. Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded prior to the document being officially sent to Graduate Admissions. The Graduate School's website has information about the international application process, including degree verification.
• Academic/professional statement of purpose (approximately 500 words) that presents the applicant's academic and professional preparation for and interest in the preferred M.A. program and concentration area, academic/professional goals, and explanation of how the graduate degree fits the academic/professional goals.
• Scholarly/academic writing sample, which serves as evidence of preparation to do graduate-level work. The typical writing sample is an individually written final paper or project report of a minimum 8-10 page length from a university course. Applicants are encouraged to submit additional writing samples such as newspaper and magazine articles, excerpts from documentary and movie scripts, press releases, and public relations communications.
• International students whose native language is not English or applicants whose undergraduate degree is not from an English-speaking country also are required to submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores to the Office of Graduate Admissions. Scores must be within five years of the date of proposed admission. Unofficial scores should be uploaded to the online application site prior to the official scores being sent. The minimum acceptable score is 100 on the TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT) and 6.5 on the IELTS.

Current Wayne State University graduate students wishing to change to a new graduate program from their current graduate program or add a new graduate program to their current graduate program should submit an online application. Such students submit a Change of Graduate Status form to the Director of Graduate Studies. Application materials (unofficial and official degree transcripts, academic/ professional statement of purpose, and as appropriate, writing sample and letters of reference) as described above should be submitted with the online application by the application deadline.

M.A. applicants are admitted for the fall and the winter semesters. Deadline for application materials for fall semester admission is June 1; and for the winter semester it is November 1.

Communication Studies

The Master of Arts in Communication with a Concentration in Communication Studies program is designedfor students with a general interest in the study of human communication. It is intended primarily forstudents preparing for doctoral study in communication, or desiring in-depth study of research andanalytical skills (a highly desired skill set by employers). The degree requires minimum 30 credits.

Journalism

The Master of Arts in Communication with a Concentration in Journalism program prepares students forcareers in news organizations and related areas in mass media. The program includes courses in print andbroadcast management skills, organizational communication, Internet-based reporting, and communicationand cultural diversity issues. The degree requires a minimum 30 credits.

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Unused Journalism Core Courses can be taken as additional content courses.

Public Relations and Organizational Communication

The Public Relations and Organizational Communication concentration emphasizes the theory and application of communication in a variety of contexts. These include working in public relations, employee relations, media relations, public affairs, issue and crisis management, technical and employee communication, and related activities in business, industry, non-profit, and governmental settings. The degree requires a minimum of 30 credits.

Public Relations and Organizational Communication (Online)

The Public Relations and Organizational Communication concentration for the M.A. in Communication emphasizes the theory and application of communication in a variety of contexts. These include working in public relations, employee relations, media relations, public affairs, issue and crisis management, technical and employee communication, and related activities in business, industry, non-profit, and governmental settings. The degree requires a minimum of 30 credits.