Wayne State University’s Department of Communication offers an online Master of Arts in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations and Organizational Communication. This program prepares students to engage in a wide variety of professional communication responsibilities in public relations, public affairs, crisis management, media relations, and employee relations and organizational leadership.
The curriculum for the MA in Communication includes 30 total credits, with 18 credits of required courses, at least 3 credits of research methods, and three electives, two of which must be in the public relations and/or organizational communication content areas (the final elective can be chosen from other areas, with advisor approval). The required core courses in this program include an introduction to graduate studies in communication, as well as courses in organizational communication, public relations theory, and public relations campaigns. From there, students select one or more research method courses, which include courses in audience surveying and measurement, quantitative and qualitative research methods in communication, and rhetorical criticism. Finally, for their electives, students can choose from courses in new media practices, risk communication, health communication, new media in strategic communication, organizational communication at the micro level, journalism and media ethics, and communication consulting and training.
For the internship, students can select from three options: Traditional Internship, Service Learning Internship Project, and Worksite Internship Project. For the Traditional Internship option, students complete the requisite internship hours at a pre-approved internship site to apply the knowledge they have learned in the program and hone their professional skills. For the Service Learning Internship Project, students complete a service project under the guidance of the program’s graduate internship coordinator. For the Worksite Internship Project, students complete a project at their current place of work that expands upon their current responsibilities and applies what they have learned in the MA in Communication. For all of the internship options, students must have a designated site supervisor who assesses their progress and final product in conjunction with students’ faculty advisors.
Wayne State University is accredited through the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
Online Master of Arts in Communication
Overview
Department: Department of Communication
Specializations/Concentrations: Concentration in Public Relations & Organizational Communication
Websites: Department
and Program
Program Format
Structure: Online program with no required campus visits
Instruction Methods: Program uses synchronous and asynchronous instruction
Campus Visits Required: No
Program Length: Program can be completed in 2 to 2.5 years
Start Dates: Fall and Winter admission
Curriculum and Graduation Requirements
Credits Required: 30 credits (10 courses)
Thesis Required: No
Capstone Options: Internship and capstone course
Example Courses: Organizational Communication; Public Relations Theory; Public Relations Campaigns and Issues Management; Audience Measurement and Survey Techniques; Crisis Communication; Health and Risk Communication
Admission Requirements
Application Requirements: Bachelor's degree in communication or a related field; statement of purpose; writing sample
GPA Requirements: Minimum GPA of 3.2 in upper-division undergraduate coursework
Testing Requirements: GRE not required (Applicants with a GPA below 3.2 may submit GRE scores to demonstrate academic ability)
Tuition Costs
Estimated Tuition*: $24,020 + fees (out-of-state online students pay in-state tuition rates)
Cost per Credit Hour: $800.66 per credit hour
State Authorizations: Program accepts students from all 50 states
