About Craig O. Stewart, Ph.D.: Craig O. Stewart is Professor of Communication and the Director of Graduate Studies within the Department of Communication and Film at The University of Memphis (UofM). As Director, he works on recruiting and retaining graduate students, curriculum development and assessment, and advising new graduate students in The University of Memphis’s Master of Arts in Communication program. Within the MA in Communication, Dr. Stewart teaches Persuasion & Influence, Research Methods, and Communication Theory, among other courses.
Dr. Stewart’s research focuses on the development of STEM identity in undergraduate STEM majors, with a particular focus on members of underrepresented groups in STEM. His work with the Urban STEM Collaboratory has led to several publications explicating a “communication theory of STEM identities.” Furthermore, Dr. Stewart’s work with Vertically Integrated Projects explores the role of experiential learning in developing STEM identity along with other related constructs, such as self-efficacy and growth mindset.
Interview Questions
[MastersinCommunications.com] Could you please provide an overview of the on-campus Master of Arts in Communication program at The University of Memphis, including details on its curriculum structure and its two concentrations in Communication Studies and Film & Video Production? How flexible is the curriculum for this program, in terms of allowing students to design their own program of study according to their goals and interests?
[Dr. Craig O. Stewart] Our MA program offers two concentrations, one in Communication Studies and the other in Film & Video Production (FVP). The Communication Studies curriculum offers students a great deal of flexibility, with students being able to take courses in applied communication, rhetoric, and/or media studies, as well as up to nine credit hours from other departments. MA students work closely with their advisor (the director of graduate studies or the coordinator of the film and video program) to choose their courses.
We encourage our students, through their coursework or culminating project, to explore their personal and professional interests. Our Communication Studies alumni tell us that the theories and methods they learn in our program translate to principles and skills they use across a wide variety of jobs and industries. The Film and Video Production curriculum combines film and media theory with hands-on technical training in filmmaking. FVP students create their own film project as part of their culminating experience. Our FVP alumni work in the TV and film industry in Memphis and the Mid-South, as well as New York and LA.
[MastersinCommunications.com] The University of Memphis also offers the Communication Studies concentration as part of a fully online Master of Arts in Communication program. Are there any differences in the curriculum between the online and the campus-based program? Furthermore, what learning management system does the online program use, and how does the program facilitate interactions between students and faculty, as well as discussions and collaborations between students within a cohort?
[Dr. Craig O. Stewart] The online MA in Communication Studies focuses on applied communication — areas such as health, interpersonal, intercultural, and organizational communication. On campus courses also include rhetoric and media studies. We use CANVAS and take advantage of multiple modalities to encourage interaction between students and faculty in the program.
Professors may offer optional synchronous sessions and are always willing to meet with students on Teams or in-person. Students can choose to be fully online, fully on-campus, or take a combination of online and on-campus courses.
[MastersinCommunications.com] For students’ culminating experience in the program, they are required to take and pass comprehensive examinations or complete a special project. Could you elaborate on this requirement? What are the key components of the special project, and what topics are covered through the comprehensive examination? How do students receive support from faculty advisors during their work?
[Dr. Craig O. Stewart] Students who choose to do a special project have lots of flexibility in what their project might look like. Working with a faculty supervisor, students will propose a project which typically includes a both an academic/research component and a more applied component. For example, a recent special project included an academic paper analyzing interviews with a public scholarship event featuring panelists discussing the topic of the research for a general audience. Other projects may combine surveys and interviews with a “deliverable”– an applied product that is based on the results of their research. Students often work with a community partner — for example, their current employer or a non-profit they volunteer with — but this is not required. Of course, FVP students create a film for their project.
We are replacing our exam option with a “capstone course.” In this course, students synthesize and apply what they have learned in their courses in a capstone paper — which includes a literature review and either a research proposal or a communication analysis. The capstone course is offered online and is available for both on campus and online students to complete their degree. Students who choose the capstone will receive feedback from the course instructor, but will be expected to work independently as appropriate for someone who is completing a master’s degree.
[MastersinCommunications.com] How is faculty mentorship integrated into The University of Memphis’s Master of Arts in Communication program, and what advice do you have for students in terms of making the most of the mentorship opportunities and support systems available to them?
[Dr. Craig O. Stewart] Communication Studies students are advised by the director of graduate studies who meets with them at least once a semester throughout their tenure in the program. Students who elect to do a special project will be advised by and work closely with their special project director. Whether on campus or online, Communication Studies faculty work closely with students on their writing for their coursework assignments. All students have access to writing tutoring through the UofM’s Center for Writing and Communication.
Film and Video students work closely with the coordinator of the film and video program, as well as other film faculty, on their special projects. Faculty also provide guidance as students work on their film projects in various roles. Whether in the Film and Video or Communication Studies concentration, students should have a special project proposed before the end of their second semester (or complete the capstone if in Comm Studies).
[MastersinCommunications.com] How can students who are interested in The University of Memphis’s Master of Arts in Communication program put forth a competitive application?
[Dr. Craig O. Stewart] Successful applicants demonstrate in their personal statements that they understand the program at The University of Memphis and the faculty they will study with — for example, by indicating which courses they wish to take and/or which faculty they might like to work with. We have a very diverse student body, including recent graduates and folks who have returned after several years or even decades to complete a masters. The minimum undergraduate GPA for admissions is 2.75/4.0; we do not require GRE scores. Our student body reflects the diversity of the city of Memphis and the Mid-South Region.
[MastersinCommunications.com] What makes The University of Memphis’s Master of Arts in Communication program an excellent graduate degree option for students? How does this program help students to excel across a wide variety of communication-focused careers, from research in academia to health communication campaigns and creative media production?
[Dr. Craig O. Stewart] Our MA program offers students opportunities to work closely with faculty to develop their interests and skills in Communication Studies or Film & Video. Our Communication Studies faculty have expertise in applied communication as well as rhetoric and media studies. Our film and video faculty have expertise in narrative and documentary filmmaking. Our Communication Studies graduates work in a wide variety of careers, with many working at both large and small non-profit organizations as well as major corporations. Our FVP graduates work in the industry both regionally and nationally.
We have recently featured our Communication Studies MA alumni on our social media, so follow us on Facebook or Instagram to see what our alumni have to say about our program. We also have a strong alumni network among our film and video graduates, both locally and in New York and LA.
Our new online MA option in Communication Studies allows students to pursue the degree from anywhere, making it an appealing option for students who wish to continue their careers while working on their master’s degree.
Thank you, Dr. Craig O. Stewart, for your insight into The University of Memphis’s Master of Arts in Communication, including its online course delivery options and concentrations in Film & Video Production and Communication Studies!
