WELCOME TO THE DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES MASTERS PROGRAM

Communication Studies provides advanced study of human communication in its various and diverse forms, contexts, and processes.

The Department of Communication Studies at California State University, Northridge is a member of the Western States Communication Association (WSCA), the National Communication Association (NCA), and the International Communication Association (ICA).

Communication is central to the ongoing processes of culture and society and thus is vitally important to study. The field has a rich and diverse foundation of specializations, including public address, critical and cultural studies, interpersonal and small group communication, organizational communication, intercultural and international communication, and performance studies. At CSUN, the Department of Communication Studies offers strength-based curricula that embrace a range of traditions in the discipline.

The program provides advanced study of human communication in its various and diverse forms, contexts, and processes. The program prepares students for doctoral work, college teaching, and a number of professional careers. Students take coursework in Rhetorical Studies, Communication Theory, Performance Studies, Language Studies, and Cultural Studies.

OVERVIEW / DEGREES OFFERED

The Master of Arts program in Communication Studies provides advanced study of human communication in its various and diverse forms, contexts, and processes. The program prepares students to pursue academic and professional career paths such as Ph.D. in the field, Community College instruction, or a career in the communication industry.

The Master of Arts program in Communication Studies includes coursework in the following areas: Rhetorical Studies, Intercultural Communication, Organizational Communication, Performance Studies, Language Behavior, and Cultural Studies.

The program comprises thirty-three units of coursework in Communication Studies selected in consultation with advisers. For the culmination experience, students complete either comprehensive examinations, a thesis, or an applied scholarly project.

Teaching Associateships are available and involve teaching two sections of the public speaking course and a service assignment working with the Forensics Program, Performance Ensemble, Service Learning, Aronstam Departmental Library, or Technology Resources.

CENTER FOR HUMAN RELATIONS
The Center is housed in and administrated by the Department of Communication Studies in the College of Arts, Media and Communication at California State University, Northridge. It is a collaborative, learning-centered institution that combines the contributions of different academic disciplines to serve the needs of the diverse student population of our region and the community. The Center presently offers a certificate program in Communication and Conflict Management.

 

REQUIREMENTS

The Master of Arts in Communication Studies requires a minimum of thirty-three units of approved graduate coursework. For the culminating experience, students complete either comprehensive examinations, a thesis, or an applied graduate project.

Required Seminar:

• Core Seminar in Communication Studies (3 units).

Approved Coursework:

In consultation with the Graduate Coordinator, coursework will be selected from 600-, 500-, and 400-level courses in the field. Students are allowed a maximum of 6 units of coursework below the 600-level, by petition. Courses from other departments may also be approved by petition. Students petitioning for approval of courses from other departments must demonstrate the centrality of communication studies to the content of those courses.
(30 units).

Culminating Experience:

Students choose either Directed Comprehensive Studies, Thesis, or Graduate Project. Students writing a thesis or project will take 6 units of Directed Thesis study over the course of two semesters.

Graduate Curriculum:

• COMS 600: Core Seminar in Communication Studies
• COMS 603: Seminar in Performance Studies
• COMS 604: Seminar in Textual Studies
• COMS 620: Seminar in Communication and Language
• COMS 631: Studies in Classical Rhetoric
• COMS 632: Studies in Contemporary Rhetoric
• COMS 633: Studies in Postmodern Rhetoric
• COMS 635: Feminist Perspectives in Communication
• COMS 650: Seminar in Communication Theory
• COMS 651: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
• COMS 652: Seminar in Group Communication
• COMS 653: Organizational Communication Research
• COMS 654: Communication and Technology
• COMS 656: Seminar in Intercultural Communication
• COMS 580: Communication Education
• COMS 695: Special Topics Seminars (content varies)
• COMS 696: Directed Graduate Research
• COMS 499/699: Independent Study