The Master of Arts in Communication Studies, offered by the Department of Communication Studies , is a comprehensive 32-unit program that provides advanced study in theories of communication, methodologies reflected in diverse approaches to communication research, and practice in applying concepts and methods in scholarly and “real world” contexts. A broad range of coursework in diverse areas of communication including environmental, interpersonal, intercultural, health, organizational, media studies, pedagogy, performance studies, and rhetoric provides students with a deeper understanding of the communication process, the study of communication, and the dimensions of ethical communication and research. Select students will teach at the college level through the Teaching Associate (TA) program. Our alumni continue on to doctoral programs, teaching at colleges and universities, and careers in a wide range of professions in Silicon Valley and beyond.

Information about the MA in Communication Studies can be found on the Department of Communication Studies website: https://www.sjsu.edu/comm/graduate/Masters/index.php.

Admissions Requirements

University Admission

Candidates who meet all university admission requirements may apply through the CSU admissions portal, Cal State Apply. 

Applicants from countries in which the primary language is not English must achieve a minimum English-language proficiency test score as indicated on the Test Requirements webpage for SJSU’s Department of Graduate Admissions and Program Evaluation. Applicants who possess a baccalaureate degree from a post-secondary institution where English is the principal language of instruction are exempt from this requirement. The program does not currently require the GRE for admission.

Admission to the Program

Minimum requirements for admission to the MA in Communication Studies are a baccalaureate degree in Communication Studies or a related field, usually in the social sciences, humanities, or arts. A 3.0 grade point average (B or better) is desired. Depending on their level of preparation, applicants may be admitted in either classified or conditionally classified standing.

To apply for the MA in Communication Studies, follow the steps on this page: https://www.sjsu.edu/comm/graduate/Masters/application.php.

Program Requirements for Admission to Classified Standing

To be admitted to the Master of Arts in Communication Studies program in classified status, an applicant must have a grade point average of 3.0 or better in their last 60 units, and possess a baccalaureate degree in Communication Studies, or related field in the social sciences, humanities, or arts from an accredited U.S. or international university.

Program Requirements for Admission to Conditionally Classified Standing

If an applicant’s preparation for advanced graduate work is considered inadequate to meet the course prerequisites or other departmental requirements, the conditions of admission will include additional BA or MA level coursework in Communication Studies, depending on the nature of the applicant’s case. The program admissions letter will explain the terms and requirements.

Requirements for Advancement to Graduate Candidacy

Students must meet the university requirements for advancement to graduate candidacy. General university requirements for advancement to candidacy  for the MA degree are detailed in the Graduate Policies and Procedures  section. Candidacy includes the successful completion of the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) . For Communication Studies, candidates meet the GWAR requirement by taking COMM 297C , a required course that students will take in their second semester.

Further requirements of the department for advancement to candidacy include completion of a minimum of 12 letter-graded units, all with grades of “C” or higher, and a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Students will submit a culminating experience plan to the department’s Graduate Coordinator. If the plan is satisfactory and the student is considered to be a potentially competent and mature practitioner, they will be advanced to candidacy. Students who fail to meet the expected standards will be terminated from the program.

Requirements for Graduation

University Graduation Requirements

Students must complete all residency, curriculum, unit, GPA, and culminating experience requirements as outlined in the Graduation Requirements  section of the Graduate Policies and Procedures .

Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement

At SJSU, students must pass the Graduation Writing Assessment Requirement (GWAR) . 

This requirement is satisfied by passing COMM 297C .

Culminating Experience

Students in the MA in Communication Studies complete the program with a 1-4-unit Culminating Experience selected from three options: a master’s thesis, master’s project, or comprehensive exam.

Plan A (Thesis) COMM 299 4 unit(s)

Students opting to complete a master’s thesis will take 4 units of COMM 299 . The student is responsible for securing a full-time tenured or tenure-track Communication Studies faculty member to serve as thesis advisor and committee chair. In order to do this, it is recommended that the student demonstrate, in a written proposal, that they are capable of completing a thesis, both in terms of research skills and writing ability, and that they have sufficient time to undertake a major research and writing project. Demonstrating these points does not obligate a professor to serve as an advisor, and no reason need be given to a student for declining to supervise a thesis. In consultation with their thesis advisor, the student must also secure two additional university faculty members, one of whom must be a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member, to serve as the thesis committee. The student must write a thesis proposal (prospectus) and have it approved by the thesis committee before enrolling in COMM 299  (typically this is done through a prospectus defense.) The thesis is written under the guidance of the thesis advisor with the assistance of the committee members. The student must pass an oral defense of the thesis. The thesis must meet university requirements as stipulated in this catalog and in the SJSU Master’s Thesis and Doctoral Dissertation Guidelines.

A thesis committee has the option of terminating the thesis option if the candidate does not submit an acceptable thesis within five semesters. In that situation, the student will be required to take the Plan B comprehensive examination as their culminating experience.

Plan B (Project) COMM 298 4 unit(s)

Students opting to complete a master’s thesis will take 4 units of COMM 298 . The student is responsible for securing a full-time tenured or tenure-track Communication Studies faculty member to serve as project advisor and committee chair. In order to do this, it is recommended that the student demonstrate, in a written proposal, that they are capable of completing a project, both in terms of research skills and writing ability, and that they have sufficient time to undertake a major research and writing project. Demonstrating these points does not obligate a professor to serve as an advisor, and no reason need be given to a student for declining to supervise a thesis. In consultation with their thesis advisor, the student must also secure two additional university faculty members, one of whom must be a full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty member, to serve as the thesis committee. The student must write a project proposal (prospectus) and have it approved by the thesis committee before enrolling in COMM 298 . (Typically, this is done through a prospectus defense.) The project is completed under the guidance of the project advisor with the assistance of the committee members. The student must pass an oral defense of the project.

Plan C (Comprehensive Exam) COMM 298 1 unit(s)

Most students will take a comprehensive exam as the culminating experience. Students taking exams will enroll in 1-unit of COMM 298 . Students taking an exam will therefore complete an additional 4 units of coursework.