School of Liberal Arts

Departmental E-mail: commdept [at] iupui [dot] edu

Departmental URL: http://www.liberalarts.iupui.edu/comm/

(Please note that when conferring University Graduate School degrees, minors, certificates, and sub-plans, the University Graduate School’s staff use those requirements contained only in The University Graduate School Bulletin.)

Curriculum

Curriculum
Courses
Faculty

Degrees Offered

M.A. in Applied Communication

The Department of Communication Studies offers a master's program in Applied Communication with optional concentrations in corporate communication, health communication, medi­a studies and public communication.

Program Goal

The overarching goal of this unique program in Applied Com­munication is to provide students with the competencies and skills necessary to address specific communication issues and problems that are socially relevant and to suggest or imple­ment change. The primary intellectual goal of the program is to increase our students' understanding of the theoretical implica­tions of discipline-specific knowledge and to enhance their ability to understand and predict human interaction relative to realistic, applied outcomes associated with contemporary social problems. A practical goal of the program is to educate professionals who grasp the complexities of communication problems and who are able to develop and execute strategies and create programs to address such issues.

Admission Requirements

Our Department prides itself on the diversity of majors from which students enter our program of study. Prior to entering our master’s program, students should have (1) a baccalaure­ate degree from an accredited institution, (2) an introduction to research methods, (3) experience in the analysis of com­munication phenomena, and (4) experience with writing in an academic context. Students who do not have this preparatory work may be admitted provisionally with additional course­work required prior to admission, and/or additional credit hour requirements imposed as a part of the minimum requirements for the Master of Arts degree.

The Admissions Committee will evaluate an applicant’s prepa­ration and goals to ensure that the applicant meets the require­ments of Indiana University Graduate School and that the ap­plicant’s needs and goals are compatible with the Department’s program. The Department seeks applicants who have strong analytical and writing skills, a strong liberal arts background, an interest in communication, and applicable work-related experiences. Generally, successful applicants will have cumulative grade point averages of 3.0 or higher at the undergraduate level. The Admissions Committee considers all indicators of the appli­cant’s ability to complete the degree successfully.

Applicants should submit the following:

1. Completed application form for Indiana University Gradu­ate School.
2. Personal Statement.
3. Official transcripts of all college level coursework.
4. Three letters of recommendation (from university instructors and/or professional associates) sent directly to the Director of Graduate Studies.
5. *GRE scores are not required for admission to the program; however GRE scores may be submitted if an applicant feels the scores will enhance his/her application and an applicant wishing to be considered for scholarships or fellowship support should note that strong scores on the GRE General Test ARE REQUIRED and may have a positive impact on his/her application.
6. Interna­tional students must submit TOEFL scores. Information about TOEFL can be obtained from the International Affairs Office, 902 W. New York Street, ES 2126, Indianapolis, IN 46202 or 317- 274-7000. 

The following deadlines must be observed in order to receive consideration for admission:

• January 15—priority consideration for fall semester and to be considered for University Fellowships and other financial support
• April 1—Fall regular admission and summer deadline

Foreign Language Requirements

None, but M.A. students continuing on for the Ph.D. are encouraged to validate their reading proficiency in a foreign language according to University Graduate School standards.

Grades

Students must earn a “C” (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better for any course to count toward the M.A. degree. The student must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.3 (B+) or better in order to graduate.

If a student drops below a cumulative GPA of 3.3 in a given se­mester, the student may be placed on probation.  If the student drops below a cumulative 3.3 for two consecutive semesters, the student may be dismissed from the program.

Course Requirements

In order to graduate, all students must complete the follow­ing courses: 1) twelve (12) credit hours of core requirements (C500; C501; C502; or C530 or C531; C503 or C597), 2) twenty-four (24) credits of communication electives.  Up to six (6) credit hours of the electives may, with advisor’s approval, come from outside of the Department of Communica­tion Studies.

Examinations

The candidate must pass written examinations as a require­ment for completion of the degree. The examination proce­dures will be administered by the student's primary committee.

Applied Learning Project or Thesis

The candidate must satisfactorily complete the Applied Learn­ing Project (ALP) or thesis as a requirement for completion of the degree.