M.A. and Ph.D.
A graduate degree requires a great deal of work, as well as the deferring of income. We strongly urge potential applicants to consider carefully their academic and long range career goals before applying for M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. You are also urged to consult the most recent Graduate School Catalog. Please check the Graduate School Bulletin for residency requirements for all degrees. Also, keep in mind the important deadlines for the Fall 2008 academic year.
- Communication Studies Graduate Program Brochure (PDF)
- Recent Graduates & Thesis Titles
- Graduate Program Statistics
-
Graduate Student Handbook
Edward Schiappa, Department Chair, 612-624-5800
Kirt H. Wilson, Director of Graduate Studies, 612-624-5235
Beatrice Dehler, Graduate Secretary, 612-624-5800Graduate Concentrations
- Communication Theory
- Rhetorical Studies
- Critical Media Studies
Although many of our faculty and students specialize in one area, the faculty view communication studies as an integrated and coherent discipline, and work together developing research projects, and assisting in graduate research and instruction. The faculty require that all graduate students take course work in both concentrations.
The department offers both the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. The main objective of the graduate program is to prepare students to become researchers and teachers in universities and colleges. Through formal course work, independent study,directed research projects, and participation in team research supervised by faculty, students have many opportunities for training and experience in research. Those with teaching assistantships acquire extensive teaching experience under the supervision of senior faculty.
Communication Theory
Coursework in communication theory has a social scientific orientation. Most students focus on a subarea such as small group, organizational, intercultural, electronic media, or interpersonal communication.
Students pursue advanced studies in these subareas while gaining experience using research methodologies appropriate for generating new knowledge. They may do this either in the field or the laboratory, or may evaluate communicationin a variety of "real world" social settings (e.g., government or business organizations, across cultures, within mass media agencies). Communicationis studied using different methodological perspectives, including the historical and philosophical, observation and description of communication events in natural settings, controlled experimentation on communication variables in the laboratory, and humanistic studies of individual participants in social situations.
Coursework outside the department is usually concentrated in one or more of the behavioral sciences, determined by the student's particular interests. All students are expected to develop a command of research techniques appropriate to their particular area of interest and a thorough knowledge of statistics. Interdisciplinary programs are encouraged.
Graduate Studies in Communication Theory
Rhetorical Studies
Courses in rhetoric and public address approach communication studies as a humane study. Course work includes argumentation and persuasion, media studies, ethics, rhetorical theory and criticism, and American public address. Students may also pursue special interests in rhetorical philosophies, movements and campaigns, popular culture, or historical and contemporary political speaking. The study of rhetoric and public address is to be supplemented by course work outside of the department. An understanding of history, political science, sociology, or other social sciences may be useful to the student describing and evaluating either historical or contemporary public discourse.
Critical Media Studies
Critical Media Studies approaches mediated communication as a cultural form that is socially influential, economically powerful, and politically significant. Coursework in Critical Media Studies emphasizes qualitative, historical, and critical approaches to the study of media texts, audiences, institutions, policies, and economics. Topics covered in the Critical Media Studies curriculum include feminist media studies, media, race, and identity; political economy of media, audience reception and effects, popular culture, and media regulation and industries. Coursework outside the department is usually in the fields of American studies, cultural studies, political science, sociology, or women's studies.
Important Deadlines
For Admission
Available space in our graduate program fills quickly each year. Prospective students should have applications to the Graduate Admissions Office, with transcripts and GRE scores no later than December 31, 2007 for admission in fall 2008. We also ask that if you apply to the Graduate School online you print a copy of your application and mail it to Bea Dehler at 225 Ford Hall, 224 Church Street S.E.,University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455.
It is also important for you to know that admission decisions are not made until we have three letters of recommendation on file. Those letters should be mailed to: Dr. Kirt Wilson, Director of Graduate Studies at 225 Ford Hall, 224 Church Street S.E., University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455. These letters should not go to the Graduate School.
Please Note: All applicants must take the GRE.
All students for whom English is not their first language are required to take the TOEFL. All applicants whose native language is not English or who have not previously completed a degree in English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and must score at least 550 (paper version) or 213 (computer version). They should also provide a short example of their academic writing in English authored solely by themselves.
For Graduate Assistantships
We recommend highly that your applications are complete before the end of December. The tan application form should be mailed to the department and not to the Graduate School. If you are applying for admission online be sure to contact the department office and ask that a financial aid application be mailed to you.
For Fellowships
These are highly desirable and competitive. We may nominate a few outstanding persons. We must have transcripts of all college work, Graduate Record Examination Scores, and three strong letters of recommendation no later than December 31, 2007. See Financial Opportunities for full description of available Fellowships.