The Master of Arts in Communication balances theory and research with applications to a variety of professional settings. Our M.A. graduates find careers in fields such as public relations, management, nonprofit administration, consulting, human resources management and development. Many teach at the university level and a number go on to earn doctoral degrees at top Ph.D. programs. Areas of study within the M.A. degree include:

• rhetoric and argumentation
• organizational communication
• public relations
• interpersonal communication
• health communication
• family communication
• conflict and mediation
• small group communication

The department also offers the Applied Communication Option in the interdisciplinary Master of Science in Administrative Studies program. This 12-hour concentration reflects the critical communication challenges facing organizations today: understanding and managing diversity in the workplace; leading teams and small groups; negotiating and mediating conflict; using media technologies to communicate with diverse audiences; and developing written and oral communication skills for a variety of organizational roles. All courses in the Applied Communication Option are offered online as well as in traditional formats, and the entire MSAS degree with the Applied Communication Option can be completed online.

The Certificate in Conflict and Dispute Resolution is a 16-hour program for professionals and students who are interested in dispute resolution and conflict processes. You may complete the certificate itself or in conjunction with a specific graduate degree, such as communication, psychology, education, or business.