University of Nebraska at Omaha
School of Communication
The School of Communication offers a Master of Arts degree emphasizing a broad theoretical knowledge of speech and mass communication. Graduate students achieve in-depth knowledge of communication processes and effects, and acquire the skills needed to discover new knowledge through research and other forms of scholarly activity. They also acquire skills and knowledge needed for professional growth. Graduate students conduct original research for a thesis or project.
School of Communication graduate faculty offer an impressive blend of academic and professional media and corporate experience. Faculty are actively involved in discovery of new knowledge through publication in top scholarly journals. The faculty seek to cultivate in students breadth and depth of knowledge about communication, and seek to foster the spirit of free investigation.
Admissions Procedures and Policies
Prospective communication graduate students should first contact the School's graduate program coordinator. The School of Communication requires applicants to complete a Personal Reference Form, including a 500-word essay. International students also are required to have a minimum score of 550 on the TOEFL (213 if computer-based; 79-80 if internet-based). Additionally, applicants must follow requirements and procedures applicable to all prospective UNO graduate students, including completion of the Application for Graduate Admission .The School may grant unconditional or provisional admission. Unconditional Admission may be granted to a student whose record includes at least the following:
- Certification of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution;
- Documentation through official transcript using a 4.0 grade point scale of having earned at least:
- a 3.25 in communication undergraduate work, and
- either a 3.0 overall undergraduate average or a 3.25 average in the last half of undergraduate credit hours, and
- a 3.25 in communication undergraduate work, and
- Inclusion of at least 15 undergraduate semester hours of appropriate courses in communication arts and sciences, including sufficient advanced upper division preparation in the area of graduate concentration.
Provisional Admission may be granted for reasons of experience, maturity or other circumstances to a student who does not meet the unconditional admission standards. In no case may a student be admitted who does not meet UNO Graduate College provisional admission standards. If granted provisional admission, the student must complete a graduate level communication seminar during the first 12 hours of course work with a grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher.
Applicants who have more than six hours of undergraduate deficiencies will be advised to remove them before applying for any type of admission.
Before deciding whether or not to recommend provisional admission, the School's graduate faculty may require any one or any combination of the following:
- Completion of prescribed course(s) (not for graduate credit) with a grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher; and/or
- Passing such test(s) as faculty members deem necessary in order to determine whether the applicant is adequately prepared for graduate study.
Master of Arts - Degree Requirements
All students who major in communication are required to complete 12 semester hours of core courses with an average grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher across the core: Communication 8010, 8020, 8470, and 8570. The core provides basic, intensive and broad coverage of communication as a field of advanced study. The core integrates mass and speech communication theories and research methodologies. If a student fails to achieve an average grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) in the overall core, the student may retake each core course with a grade below "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) once, and must obtain an average grade of "B" (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or higher to remain in the program.All students take a three-part comprehensive examination. These broadly cover communication theory, research methodology and a student's specific area of interest. Generally, these examinations are administered near or at the end of all course work.
After completion of the first six hours of graduate course work, the student must be advised on a plan of study.
Thesis Option (30 credit hours including COMM 8990)
In the thesis option, the student must complete: the 12 hour core, 12 additional hours of graduate elective courses, and a six hour thesis, based on a proposal approved by the student's committee. The student must write a thesis which is defended orally before his or her thesis committee. No more than nine hours from outside the School may be counted toward degree requirements.
Project Option (36 credit hours including COMM 8970)
In the project option, the student must complete: the 12 hour core, at least one additional three hour graduate-only seminar, 18 additional hours of graduate elective courses, and a three-hour graduate project. The project, in lieu of a thesis, is based on a proposal approved by the student's committee. The student must complete a project which is defended orally before his or her project committee. No more than 12 hours from outside the School may be counted toward degree requirements.