Testimonials
Communication, Master of Arts
- Available Emphasis Areas:
- Communication Coursework
- Documentary Studies - Emphasis
- Strategic Communication - Emphasis
This graduate degree was created to provide students with advanced skills in communication analysis, problem-solving, critical-thinking, research, theoretical application, and written communication.
Requirements Accordion Open
To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. (Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.)
You must additionally complete:- All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
- All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- All work toward the master’s degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.
Overview Accordion Closed
In addition to University Requirements:
- Complete individual plan requirements.
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Emphasis or Coursework Required | An emphasis or coursework is required for this degree. |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
Purpose Statement
The MA in Communication provides students with advanced skills in communication analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, research, theoretical application, argumentation, and written communication. Students choose from either the MA in Communication (with no emphasis) or the MA in Communication with an emphasis in Documentary Studies.
The MA in Communication provides a foundation of the basic research methods, theories, and standards of argument in the academic study of communication. Students explore theories and research in a variety of communicative contexts with an emphasis on the application of concepts, theories, and research to real-world issues. Students will be able to access, understand, evaluate, and apply research, concepts, and theories. Students will engage in original research and/or the application of existing research, concepts, and theories to specific situations for the purpose of problem-solving and/or evaluation, including effective message design. Students will learn the expectations of academic argument in communication as well as how to effectively communicate their findings to diverse audiences. The MA in Communication (with no emphasis) will be of relevance to working professionals in a variety of fields, educators, activists, and those preparing to pursue a PhD in Communication, Communication Studies, Rhetoric, or related disciplines.
The Documentary Studies emphasis provides a solid grounding in the theoretical, critical, and practical traditions that inform documentary work. Students engage in intensive research and fieldwork, professional production skills in storytelling, and learn to critically analyze media in terms of both content and craft. Particular attention is given to the role of documentary as social critique and bringing untold, under-reported, and under-represented issues and peoples into the public eye. The program is ideally suited to prepare students for today's world of cutting-edge multimedia journalism, documentary work, as well as preparation for PhD programs in cinema and media studies.
The Strategic Communication emphasis will provide a rigorous understanding of media effects, public opinion, persuasion theories, audience measurement, and consumer behavior in the digital age. The diverse range of faculty experts will engage with students to explore theory, practice, and application of research applied to the merchandising, advertising, and public relations fields with a focus on quantitative methods. The emphasis is designed to lead to greater leadership opportunities that are needed to achieve business communication goals and manage company reputations and retail purchases. Students will elevate their essential skills in marketing research, social media management, audience engagement, and public sector communication via project-based learning. The program is suited for students who enter the advertising, public relations, or merchandising industries and those students who plan to continue on to doctoral studies in communication, media, or strategic communication.
Student Learning Outcomes
Core Student Learning Outcomes
- Learn and apply basic research methods in Communication scholarship.
- Demonstrate ability to plan, conduct, and disseminate a research project in human communication.
- Understand, synthesize, and explain the historical development of Communication as an academic field of inquiry.
- Integrate and apply knowledge of communication theories to multiple contexts of human communication.
- Utilize communication constructs, theories and concepts to define, evaluate, and manage real-world problems, conflicts, and events.
- Develop skills in constructing and presenting messages to diverse audiences.
Communication Studies Emphasis Learning Outcomes - Demonstrate ability to plan, conduct, and disseminate a research project in human communication.
- Understand, synthesize, and explain major research methods in Communication Studies.
- Integrate and apply knowledge of communication theories to multiple contexts of human communication.
- Develop skills in constructing and presenting messages to diverse audiences.
- Engage a theoretical and historical understanding of documentary as rooted in the traditions of creative storytelling and social critique.
- Apply heightened skills of observation, critical thinking, and creativity to the stories of untold, under-reported, and under-represented issues and peoples; bring these stories to the public eye.
- Create and distribute a variety of documentary projects in different forms at an advanced level to diverse populations.
- Realize that production tools and techniques are a means to author a unique point of view shaped by the documentarian's philosophical sensibilities and ways of seeing the world.
- Understand theories of media effects, public opinion, persuasion, and consumer behavior in a rapidly changing digital age
- Explore the theory, practice, and application of research applied to the advertising, merchandising, and publication relations fields with a focus on quantitative methods
- Expand theoretical understanding of social media use at the individual, organizational, and societal level
- Deliver actionable insights for organizations with effective oral and written communication skills via project-based learning
- Develop teaching/leadership experience for key topics related to strategic communication
- Pivot brand messaging and marketing strategies using evidence-based approaches
- Investigate the metrics, measurements, and evaluations for assessing the effectiveness of social and digital strategies
- Examine the interrelationship of appearance and consumer behavior and the consumer decision making process
- Appreciate the contributions of theoretical perspectives from various social sciences in understanding consumer behavior with respects to dress and apparel
Details Accordion Closed
Additional Admission Requirements
- Admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
- NAU Graduate Online application is required for all programs. Details on admission requirements are included in the online application.
- Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A"), or the equivalent.
- Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.
- Transcripts
- For details on graduate admission policies, please visit the Graduate Admissions Policy
- International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy
Individual program admission requirements include:
- Writing Sample
- 3 academic references
- Personal statement or essay
- Resume or curriculum vitae
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 33-39 units distributed as follows:
- Core requirements: 12 units
- Select Electives or an Emphasis area: 18-21 units
- Communication Elective Coursework: 18-21 units
- Documentary Studies Emphasis: 18-21 units
- Strategic Communication Emphasis: 18-21 units
- Select a Thesis or a Project: 3-6 units
Take the following 33 - 39 units:
Core requirements (12 units):
Select one of the following:
Communication Elective Coursework: (18-21 units)- Elective Coursework is chosen in consultation with your advisor
- Courses may include, with advisor approval, up to 9 units of coursework outside of Communication and Communication Studies.
- No more than 6 units of individualized studies as independent studies, directed readings, and research are allowed in the student’s coursework.
- Elective Coursework is chosen in consultation with your advisor
Documentary Studies Emphasis (18-21 units)
- COM 535 (3 units)
- COM 550 (3 units)
- COM 605 (3 units)
- Additional coursework chosen in consultation with a graduate faculty advisor. Select elective courses from any graduate program at NAU that will help provide you the research tools, specialization, knowledge, and intercultural understanding for documentary work. Such disciplines could include, but are not limited to: anthropology, communication, environmental science, ethnic studies, women’s and gender studies, sociology, among others. (9-12 units)
Strategic Communication Emphasis (18-21 units)- COM 525, COM 546 (6 units)
- (COM 530 or COM 544) (3 units)
- Additional coursework chosen in consultation with a graduate faculty advisor. Select elective courses from any graduate program that will help provide you with the research tools, specialization, and knowledge needed for work in the strategic communication industries (advertising, public relations, or merchandising) or for preparation for doctoral studies. (9-12 units)
All students will select either the Thesis or Project Option (3-6 units)
- Thesis Option
- COM 699 (6 units). Be aware that students may end up taking more than the 6 units that count toward the degree, as enrollment in COM 699 is required each fall and spring semester once a student begins the thesis until the student graduates. Additionally, students must enroll for at least 1 unit of COM 699 the semester in which they plan to defend and graduate, including summer, regardless of the number of units already taken. (6 units)
- Project Option
- COM 690 (3 units). Be aware that students may end up taking more than the 3 units that count toward the degree, as enrollment for at least one credit of COM 690 may be required each semester in which a student works on a project. Students in the Documentary Studies Emphasis may also be required to take 3 additional units of COM 690, which will count toward their elective requirements.
You may not pursue the Science Communication Certificate in conjunction with this degree.- Thesis Option
Additional Information
Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also take. For prerequisite information click on the course or see your advisor.
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan. Accelerated Programs provide the opportunity for outstanding undergraduates working on their bachelor’s degree to simultaneously begin work on a master’s degree. Departments may allow students to complete both degrees in an accelerated manner by approving up to 12 units applicable toward both degrees. Students must apply to the accelerated program and the master’s program by the application deadline, and meet all requirements as listed on the Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Programs to be considered for admission. Admission to programs is competitive and qualified applicants may be denied because of limits on the number of students admitted each year. Be sure to speak with your advisor regarding your interest in Accelerated Programs.
- MA in Communication (Online)
Students can pursue the MA in Communication fully online. The online degree offers convenience, flexible schedules, ease of work-life balance, and earning career enhancing credentials while keeping a full-time job. There is no emphasis option currently available for our online degree program.
- MA in Communication (Mountain Campus)
Students pursue their degree in residence at Flagstaff’s stunning Mountain campus, enrolling in a mix of select online courses with in person classes and learning opportunities. Be a part of the Flagstaff community in one of the “best college towns in the nation.” Competitive funding is available for some Flagstaff resident students including teaching assistantships and tuition assistance.
Students completing their degree on the Mountain campus have the option of adding a specialized emphasis to their MA degree. Please note that an emphasis is not required. There are two emphasis options: Documentary Studies and Strategic Communication.
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- MA in Communication - Documentary Studies Emphasis.
This option is offered face-to-face only. Students who pursue the emphasis in documentary studies will take a course of study that prepares them to create professional documentary work. Students engage in intensive research and fieldwork while obtaining professional production skills in storytelling. Documentarians produce stories that give shape and meaning to our understanding of culture, social life and history.
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- MA in Communication - Strategic Communication Emphasis.
This option is offered face-to-face only. The emphasis in strategic communication equips students with the strong communication and promotional skills needed to manage the reputation of important clients. Students take three emphasis courses in Crisis Communication, Social Media Analytics and Management and Mass Communication and Human Behavior.
In all of the MA options, students complete their degree program with either a thesis (i.e., conducting original research) or a communication project. Please contact us today to begin your course of study.Application deadlines
The MA in Communication application deadlines:
For spring admission, all materials DUE by October 1. For fall admission:- Preferential deadline for admission and a Graduate Teaching Assistantship: All materials DUE by February 1.
- Final deadline for admission and a Graduate Teaching Assistantship: All materials DUE by March 15.
- General application (non-GTA) preferential deadline: All materials DUE by March 1.
- General application (non-GTA) final deadline: All materials DUE by April 15.
Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies application deadlines:
- For spring admission: all materials DUE by October 1
- For fall admission: all materials DUE by July 1
Graduate Certificate in Science Communication application deadlines:
Please contact Peter Friederici at Peter.Friederici@nau.edu Be aware that all application materials are due by these dates. If you have questions about the program or the application process, contact email us.
