Curriculum
There are two tracks in the Master of Arts in Communication (MAC) program: a traditional academic track and a professional track. We recommend that students who plan to enter the industry upon graduation follow the professional track. Those who expect to pursue a PhD in the future should instead follow the academic track.
Undergraduate students who are within a year of graduating with their undergraduate degree can also apply for the Accelerated Program. This program allows students to apply up to 9 hours of graduate-level Communication coursework toward both an undergraduate degree and the MAC degree.
Academic Track
The academic track for the Masters of Arts in Communication (MAC) program requires a total of 36 credit hours. 21 of those are required core courses and the other 15 hours are electives.
Required Core Courses
COMM 801 Introduction to Communication Research (3 hours)
COMM 803 Empirical/Quantitative Methodologies in Communication Research (3 hours)
COMM 812 Contemporary Theories in Communication (3 hours)
COMM 875 and COMM 876 Communication Thesis (6 hours total)
Qualitative Methods: select two of the 3-credit 800-level qualitative methods courses
offered by the department. Ask the graduate coordinator which classes qualify. (6
hours)
Electives
In addition to the required courses, students, with the advice and consent of their
faculty adviser and the graduate coordinator, must select courses to complete the
plan of study. The plan of study will be individually designed to accommodate a student’s
background, interests, and needs.
All students will write a thesis to complete their program. Thesis hours must be evenly
divided between two consecutive semesters.
Professional Track
The professional track for the Masters of Arts in Communication (MAC) program requires a total of 30 credit hours. 9 of those are required core courses and the other 21 hours are electives.
Required Core Courses
COMM 801 Introduction to Communication Research (3 hours)
COMM 690 Communication Internship (3 hours)
Research Methods: select one of the 3-credit 800-level research methods courses offered
by the department. Ask the graduate coordinator which classes qualify. (3 hours)
Electives
In addition to the required courses, students, with the advice and consent of their
faculty adviser and the graduate coordinator, must select courses to complete the
plan of study. The plan of study will be individually designed to accommodate a student’s
background, interests, and needs.
Accelerated Degree Program
Students within the last year of their undergraduate degree can apply for our Accelerated Degree Program. With coordination between the undergraduate advisor and the graduate coordinator, students can take up to 9 hours of graduate-level Communication coursework and apply it to both their undergraduate and MAC degrees. Courses must be Communication classes at the 500-level or above and cannot include COMM 535.
For more information about any of the above, please contact:
Dr. Lisa Parcell
Graduate Coordinator
The Elliott School of Communication, Wichita State University, Wichita KS 67260-0031
(316) 978-6064
lisa.parcell@wichita.edu