Program Mission: The Master of Arts in Communication Studies provides students with an opportunity to engage in a multifaceted course of study which is grounded in a strong theoretical base but also recognizes the marketplace.  Students may choose from three areas of concentration, Human Communication Processes, Strategic Communication, or Critical/Cultural Studies.  The program prepares students to be more competitive in the work place or to continue studies in a Ph.D. program.

Admission Requirements: A limited number of students are accepted each year; admission to the program is competitive.  To be eligible for degree candidacy, applicants must meet all of the requirements for admission to the Graduate School (See “Admission to Graduate Degree and Certificate Programs”).  A minimum of 18 hours in communication studies with a grade of C or better is required in order to be admitted to the program.  An applicant must complete a written statement of goals, submit a writing sample and three letters of recommendation attesting to the potential for successful completion of graduate work. International applicants whose native language is not English must obtain a score of 600 or higher on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 250 of higher on the computer-based TOEFL.  While students may be admitted to the Graduate School with fewer than 18 hours in communication studies, any deficiency in undergraduate speech communication hours must be made up before the student will be admitted to degree candidacy in Communication Studies.

Degree Audit: The graduate plan of study is the EIU Degree Audit, which is generated automatically in the Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) at the time of degree or certificate candidacy. Modifications of the standard EIU Degree Audit are submitted by the graduate coordinator to the certification officer in the Graduate School at the time modifications are approved. The Degree Audit serves as an unofficial summary of requirements for the program. Degree and certificate candidates are advised to review the comprehensive summary of the Degree Audit process specified on the “Requirements for All Degree and Certificate Candidates” section of the Graduate Catalog. Individual programs may require candidates to submit plans of study in addition to the Degree Audit, candidates should consult with the program coordinator.