Dec 07, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2024-2025 
    
USC Catalogue 2024-2025

Communication (MA)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs, Minors and Certificates

 

Individuals seeking the Master of Arts in Communication are expected to acquire and demonstrate a general knowledge of human communication, including humanistic and social scientific approaches.

Students must apply to the PhD program in Communication and complete all application requirements. The faculty admission committee determines candidates appropriate for the MA.

The program, arranged in consultation with the school’s director of doctoral studies, provides two options: degree with comprehensive examination requires a total of 32 units (normally eight courses), including core courses COMM 525 , COMM 526 , COMM 550  and COMM 552  and four electives; or degree with thesis requires successful completion of core courses, three electives and 4 units of COMM 594a Master’s Thesis , COMM 594b Master’s Thesis .

Not more than two approved 400-level courses may be applied to a student’s program and a maximum of 4 semester units with grades of B or better may be accepted by transfer from another institution of higher learning. The minimum acceptable GPA for successful completion of this program is 3.0.

The majority of students choose the comprehensive examination option. The examination consists of six hours of writing, taken on two different days. Permission to take an MA degree with thesis can be obtained only by application to the school screening committee.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs, Minors and Certificates