M.S. or M.A. in Mass Communication
Prepare yourself for a management-level position, advancement within your current career, teaching, or advanced graduate work. The online M.S. or M.A. in Mass Communication provides students with advanced knowledge in risk communication, crisis communication, rhetoric, and argumentation. Communication programs are useful to professionals in a variety of careers. The Communication Department tailors student research projects and academic programs to individual needs and interests.
Currently, sufficient classes to complete the master's degree are online and available for students. Additional courses are in the planning stages.
Online courses are equivalent to face-to-face or on-campus classes, with similar rigor and expectations regarding student performance. However, the time frame for completing online courses is student-driven, enabling participants to control the rate at which they move through the program. The plan of study for the online M.S. or M.A. in Mass Communication consists of at least 30 credits.
"The course was very challenging, but the instructor was very supportive, responsive and encouraging. I learned a lot."
- Phil, Maple Grove, MN
COMM 761 Survey of Rhetorical Theory
Sample Plan of Study
Required Core Courses:
- COMM 700 Research Methods in Communication (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 711 Communication Theory (3 CREDITS)
Research Core Courses: (6 CREDITS)
- COMM 750 Quantitative Research Methods (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 750 Qualitative Research Methods (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 767 Rhetorical Criticism (3 CREDITS)
Elective Courses:(15 CREDITS)
- COMM 602 Contemporary Rhetorical Theory (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 621 Issues, History of the Mass Media (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 721 Intercultural Communication (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 725 Communication and Change (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 752 Theory of Argument (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 755 Rhetoric of Environmental Science (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 761 Survey of Rhetorical Theory (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 785 Advanced Crisis Communication (3 CREDITS)
- COMM 786 Risk Communication (3 CREDITS)
Paper Requirement (3 CREDITS)
To satisfy the disquisition requirement of the NDSU Graduate School, the candidate for the online M.S. or M.A. in Mass Communication degree, with the advice and consent of his/her adviser, will designate three major papers, drawn from three different courses in the program of study. This collection of papers will be submitted for review to the student's supervisory committee, constituted from the professors of record for the courses from which the papers were drawn and an outside committee member assigned by the Graduate School. The collection of papers will be defended and submitted to the Graduate School for review and binding; and must be approved in order for the student to matriculate to graduation.
Total Credits: 30
Graduate Faculty
For information about graduate faculty for this program as well as their current research interests, visit the M.S. or M.A. in Mass Communication bulletin page.
Admission
Apply for admission
View Getting Started Guide
For current admission requirements, visit the M.S. or M.A. in Mass Communication bulletin page.
Contact Information
NDSU Department of Communication
Phone: 701-231-7705
Email: r.littlefield@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/communication/
NDSU Distance & Continuing Education
Phone: 1-800-726-1724 or 701-231-7015
Email: ndsu.dce@ndsu.edu
NDSU Graduate School
Phone: 701-231-7033
Email: ndsu.grad.school@ndsu.edu
Web: http://www.ndsu.edu/gradschool/