Master of Arts in Communication
The M. A. in Communication at Washington State University is designed for individuals seeking higher-level and focused understanding of communication theory, processes and phenomena, whether their intent is to prepare for doctoral-level study in pursuit of an academic career or a communication-related career in business, government, education, research, or the communications industry. Successful completion of the program normally requires two academic years of full time study and results in the granting of the Master of Arts in Communication. Our program centers on:
- Health communication encompasses studies on how to communicate health-related information to targeted audiences. Research in this area focuses on the uses of media to influence individuals' decision-making and social development. Topics include, but are not limited to, the interplay of media and parental influences on children's decisions about health, the effects of different health messages on risk-takers, and the effects of media messages on individuals' perceptions of social reality. Health communication is studied in a number of contexts, including (1) effective health campaign design, (2) individuals' exposure to, search for, and use of health related information, (3) individuals' responses to health campaign media messages, (4) effective health message design, (5) images of health in the mass media, (6) education of children about how to interpret certain media messages for the improvement of their well-being (media literacy), and (7) designing effective media messages targeting specific groups such as children and risk-takers. To learn more about ongoing health communication research at Washington State University visit Consortium for the Study of Communication and Decision Making.
- Intercultural and international communication focuses on communication between persons and groups from different cultural backgrounds in interpersonal and mediated contexts. Culture is conceived broadly as processes of meaning production and contestation that take place within micro and macro sites and involve issues of ethnicity, race, and nation. Scholars working within this area explore questions of identity construction, negotiation of diversity in the workplace, representations of difference and stereotypes in the media, diffusion of innovation and health communication. Investigations are conducted from critical, interpretive and functional perspectives utilizing qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Media processes and effects focuses on physiological, psychological and social effects of media messages and technologies upon individuals and societies. Studies examine how people process traditional as well as non-traditional media messages and what kinds of media effects are expected at individual as well as societal levels. Research in this area often takes an interdisciplinary approach by applying theories of communication, psychology, sociology, gender, and other social sciences to investigate the influences of media content and form on audience perceptions, attitudes and behaviors. In other words, individuals' psychological as well as physiological reactions to media messages/forms are measured to understand processes as well as effects of this mediated communication. Research methods are primarily empirical, involving mostly experiments (including psycho-physiological measures), surveys, and content analyses. Students in this area learn to design empirical studies that investigate individuals' media message processes and effects.
- Media and society examines the role of media as a social institution, with emphasis on the interplay between mainstream and alternative media and social control and change. It is founded on the assumption that understanding society's effects on media is key to understanding media effects on society. To that end, researchers in this concentration focus on such topics as: the capacity of mass media to produce social change and the role of media in social movements; the interaction of media with law, policy, and ethics; the impact of new and alternative media on society; the role of media as a political resource; the analysis of communications industries; and the relationships among communities, media, and social change. Research in these areas uses quantitative, qualitative, and critical/cultural approaches.
- Organizational communication addresses the relationship between organization and communication, focusing on the role of communication in creating, maintaining, and transforming organizations and organizational processes. We use the term "organization" broadly to include any social collectivity engaged in coordinated activity (e.g., for-profit, non-profit, community organizations, social advocacy organizations, media organizations, etc.). The program provides knowledge regarding theoretical foundations of organizational communication, research practices, and examines organizational communication issues such as, employee socialization and information-seeking, workplace relationships, power and politics, diversity, and new communication technologies.
Individuals with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the humanities or social sciences may be qualified for admission to the program. However, undergraduate work in mass communication or communication studies provides especially valuable preparation for successful graduate work in communication. Persons without previous training in one or more of these general areas may be required to complete supplemental undergraduate coursework.
All students in the program, regardless of their emphases, share a common core of courses and choose either to write a thesis or complete an additional nine hours of coursework and a comprehensive examination.
M. A. Application Deadlines
Students are admitted to the M. A. program at the start of the fall semester. M. A. applications must be submitted to the Graduate School and to the College of Communication by January 10 for Fall admission.
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