Prospective Students

Read below for details regarding the application process.

Enroll full-time or part-time, study online and face-to-face

We are committed to offering at least one distance-based graduate course each semester as well as offering courses on evenings and/or weekends for those who work during the day. We typically offer three online courses each fall and spring semester.  The emphasis in Communication Studies can be completed on a part-time basis solely via distance-based courses in 3-4 years (or more, depending on your time commitment).

The Communication Studies emphasis is designed to enhance students’ existing knowledge base and expertise and does not require undergraduate coursework in communication. However, having an undergraduate major, minor, or substantial coursework in communication is desirable (and generally required for GTA positions).

The Documentary Studies emphasis is designed to enhance students’ existing knowledge base and expertise and does not require undergraduate coursework in documentary. However, having an undergraduate major, minor, or substantial coursework in photography, audio, film, or in journalism is desirable (and generally required for GTA positions).

Please be aware that all students are required to come to the NAU campus at least twice: for the required orientation and for the final presentation and defense of the thesis or projects.

Graduate assistantships

We currently have multiple Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs), which involve teaching our basic public speaking course, assisting with a large-lecture introductory course for undergraduate majors in the School of Communication, or working with the School of Communication’s forensics team. Generally 2-4 GTAs are available each year and come with a stipend and full tuition waiver. For further information regarding GTAs, please contact the Graduate Coordinator for the MA in Communication (comgrad@nau.edu).

Applicant profile

The MA in Communication degree program seeks interested persons who hold a bachelor’s degree and desire a master’s degree that centers upon integrating knowledge in the field of communication with emphasis on organizations, public and political communication, health communication, media and culture, diversity, and/or environmental issues.

The program is designed to enhance students’ existing knowledge base and expertise and does not require undergraduate coursework in communication. However, having an undergraduate major, minor, or substantial coursework in communication is desirable (and generally required for GTA positions).

Applying to the program

If you plan to apply to the MA program in Communication, visit the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies (OGPS) website. There, you can access general information for prospective students and review other graduate programs at NAU. Applications are to be submitted online through the OGPS (paper applications are not accepted).

In addition to the basic application requirements of NAU’s OGPS (which include transcripts from all institutions of higher education you have attended), the MA in Communication requires the following items for application:

1. An updated resumé (in .doc, .rtf, or .pdf format).
2. A personal statement of interest in pursuing the graduate study of communication and in this degree program specifically (generally 2-3 pages, in .doc, .rtf, or .pdf format).
3. A writing sample (in .doc, .rtf, or .pdf format). Your writing sample could be any of the following (in order of preference): an academic paper, a work-related report or other substantial document, a journalistic story/essay, a piece of creative writing, a letter to the editor, or a work-related memo or letter.
4. Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). We do not accept alternative measures (e.g., GPA) in place of GRE scores. Please be aware that you must take the test in sufficient time for your scores to be submitted to NAU by the application deadline listed above (we suggest taking the test at least two weeks in advance of the application due date).
5. Three letters of reference from individuals who are familiar with your educational, professional, or other experiences, training, and background, and who are in a position to comment upon your preparation and/or suitability for graduate study. These letters are to be submitted by your recommenders directly, not by the applicant. Letters of recommendation should be submitted electronically through the OGPS online application system. Please stress to your recommenders that specific and substantive information makes for a better letter than a few general sentences in support of the applicant.  Please be aware that you must arrange for your letters of recommendation enough in advance that they can be submitted by the application deadline.
6. If you wish to apply for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA), your three letters of reference should be from persons familiar with your academic performance. At least two of these letters must be from faculty members and should address your suitability for a teaching assistantship in addition to your suitability for graduate study in communication.
7. In addition, applicants for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship should submit a statement of teaching interest (generally 1-2 pages). Applicants for Graduate Teaching Assistantships are encouraged to work closely with the MAAC Graduate Coordinator as they prepare their application materials.
8. For the Documentary Studies emphasis, please include a link to your portfolio in your application letter. (If you don’t have a portfolio, you may still apply and be accepted without it.)

Those admitted to the program are expected to attend a one-day orientation meeting on the NAU campus in Flagstaff, Arizona. This meeting will be held on a Saturday in late August or early September. Contact the MAAC Graduate Coordinator if you have any questions about this requirement.

We look forward to hearing from you. Good luck!