MA in Communication
Catalog Year: 2025-2026
Banner Code: LA-MA-COM
As the environment for public and private communication becomes increasingly complex, organizations rely more and more heavily on thoughtful and effective communication professionals. To this end, Communication MA students may choose to specialize in strategic communication/public relations; health communication; media and culture; science, environment, and risk communication; or individualized communication studies. Across all specializations, students receive a strong foundation in communication theory and learn to design, execute, and interpret rigorous communication research. Students are challenged to apply communication knowledge to help solve problems and to address important social issues.
The University Catalog is the authoritative source for information on program requirements and courses. The Schedule of Classes is the authoritative source for information on classes scheduled for this semester. See the Schedule for the most up-to-date information and see Patriot web to register for classes. Requirements may be different for earlier catalog years. See the University Catalog archives.
Admissions
Applicants to all graduate programs at George Mason University must meet the admission standards and application requirements for graduate study as specified by Graduate Admissions. For information specific to the MA in communication, see Application Requirements and Deadlines.
Admission to the graduate program in communication is competitive.
Policies
For policies governing all graduate degrees, see Graduate Policies.
Transfer of Credit
Students may request transfer of up to 12 hours of graduate coursework from graduate non-degree status or up to 15 hours of graduate study at another institution. Students should carefully review AP.6.5 and the policies governing graduate transfer of credit. Transfer of credit is subject to the approval of the program director and graduate dean.
Degree Requirements
Total credits: 33
Students should be aware of the specific policies associated with this program, located on the Admissions & Policies tab.
Students complete two program core courses, two methods courses, two theory courses, two specialization and at least three elective courses (or 9 credits), of which 3 credits may be thesis.
Students must choose from one area of specialization (strategic communication/public relations; health communication; media and culture; science, environment, and risk communication; or individualized communication studies). Specific requirements are described below.
Core Courses
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Core Courses | ||
| COMM 600 | Introduction to Graduate Studies | 3 |
| COMM 798 | Communication Studies Project (only 3 credits can apply to the degree) | 3 |
| Two Methods Courses | ||
| COMM 650 | Intro to Research Methods in Communication (required course) | 3 |
| Select one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Qualitative Methods | ||
| Quantitative Methods | ||
| Media Content Analysis | ||
|
Other graduate level methods course, taken in COMM or elsewhere, as approved by graduate director.
|
||
| Two Theory Courses | ||
| Select two theory courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Theories and Research of Mass Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Theories of Public Relations | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Theories of Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Risk Communication | ||
| Science Communication | ||
| Science and the Public | ||
| Graduate Seminar in Instructional Communication | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Strategic Communication | ||
| Crisis Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 18 | |
Specializations
Students complete the degree by completing 6 credits of coursework in one of the four specializations and an additional 9 elective credits in any graduate coursework, to include an optional thesis. Courses outside the department require the prior written approval of the program director.
Available Specializations
- Strategic Communications/Public Relations Specialization
- Health Communication Specialization
- Media and Culture Specialization
- Science, Environment, and Risk Communication Specialization
- Individualized Communication Studies Specialization
Strategic Communications/Public Relations Specialization
The specialization in strategic communication/public relations requires a minimum of two courses from the list below. A course taken as a part of the general program cannot be duplicated in credits, but it can count as a course required for the specialization. Additional credits may be met through electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication 1 | ||
| Theories and Research of Mass Communication | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Theories of Public Relations | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Communication Consulting | ||
| Risk Communication | ||
| Science and the Public | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Strategic Communication | ||
| Global Public Relations Strategy and Practice | ||
| Crisis Communication | ||
| Health Communication Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Optional Thesis 2 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 3 | ||
| Six to nine additional credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
|
Courses from the list above
|
||
|
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director.
|
||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
-
When topic is strategic communication, as approved by program director.
- 2
-
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 3
-
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of a thesis take 9 credits.
Health Communication Specialization
The specialization in health communication requires a minimum of two courses from the list below. A course taken as a part of the general program cannot be duplicated in credits, but it can count as a course required for the specialization. Additional credits may be met through electives.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication 1 | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Popular Culture and Health | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Intercultural Health and Risk Communication | ||
| Consumer-Provider Health Communication | ||
| E-Health Communication | ||
| Health Communication Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Communication 1 | ||
| Optional Thesis 2 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 3 | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
|
Additional courses from the list above
|
||
|
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director.
|
||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
-
When topic is health communication as approved by program director.
- 2
-
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 3
-
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.
Media and Culture Specialization
Students who wish to focus their graduate study in media and culture complete the following requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Theories and Research of Mass Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication | ||
| Political Communication | ||
| Persuasion Theory | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| The Issues of Science and Politics | ||
| Social Marketing | ||
| Popular Culture and Health | ||
| Special Topics in Communication (when topic is cancel culture in public and political communication) | ||
| Special Topics in Communication (when topic is gender, race and class in media) | ||
| Global Public Relations Strategy and Practice | ||
| Optional Thesis 1 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 2 | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
|
Additional courses from the list above
|
||
|
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director.
|
||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
-
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 2
-
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.
Science, Environment, and Risk Communication Specialization
Students who wish to focus their graduate study in science, environment, and risk communication complete the following requirements.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select two specialization courses from the following: | 6 | |
| Risk Communication | ||
| Science Communication | ||
| The Issues of Science and Politics | ||
| Environmental Communication | ||
| Science and the Public | ||
| Analysis and Criticism of Science Journalism | ||
| Climate Change and Sustainability Communication Campaigns | ||
| Directed Readings and Research | ||
| Optional Thesis 1 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives 2 | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: | 6-9 | |
|
Additional courses from the list above
|
||
|
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director.
|
||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
-
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 2
-
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.
Individualized Communication Studies specialization
Students pursuing a specialization in individualized communication studies design a program of courses to reflect their interests.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Two Specialization Courses | ||
| Select from the following: 1 | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Communication | ||
| Optional Thesis 2 | ||
| Three credits of | 3 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
| Electives | ||
| Six to nine credits chosen from: 3 | 6-9 | |
|
Additional courses from the list above
|
||
|
Up to 6 credits of coursework from other departments with prior written approval of the program director.
|
||
| Total Credits | 15 | |
- 1
-
Two courses in a field of specialization are chosen in consultation with an advisor or the program director. These courses may include select special topics courses shown above as approved by the program director.
- 2
-
Students who do not choose to complete a thesis will take additional credits of elective courses. Students who choose to write a thesis should be aware of the policies governing theses as stated in AP.6.9.3 Master's Thesis. If a thesis is chosen, students must follow the thesis enrollment policy of the university and, once enrolled in COMM 799 Master's Thesis, maintain continuous enrollment.
- 3
-
Students choosing to write a thesis take 6 credits of electives. Those opting out of the thesis take 9 credits.