Advisement for the degree is available from the Communication Department.
Drawing upon the knowledge and experience of award-winning faculty and scholars, the Communication Department’s Master of Arts in Public Communication Program allows students to customize their academic pathways to understanding. Through a rigorous examination of the philosophical and theoretical foundations of communication theory and highly focused disciplinary interest areas (e.g., athletic, health, corporate or political communication), the program equips students with the methodological and disciplinary skills to analyze, design and implement innovative and diverse solutions to contemporary social challenges.
Students gain proficiency and insight in the digital persuasion skills necessary to design strategic campaigns, produce multimedia products, manage social networks, understand audience motivations and shape public engagements and behaviors. Students learn to conduct media research and examine legal issues that impact the industry, study organizational behavior, employ analytics to understand digital engagement, and glean audience insights into the various communication fields. With the guidance of the graduate director, students customize a program that reflects their career goals.
Through a combination of research-and industry-focused mentoring, real-life engagement, in-depth scholarly discussions and practical training, this M.A. program prepares the next generation of communication professionals and scholars to enter the post-pandemic 21st century world as both thoughtful scholars and innovative industry leaders.
Admission
Admission to the M.A. in public communication through the Communication Department requires an application for graduate program admission; the application fee; official transcript from all colleges and universities attended; if applying for in-state tuition, a Residency/Domicile Information Form; and the following additional application documents and requirements specified by the Communication Department:
- Undergraduate degree (preferably in communication or a related field) with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge the applicant’s ability to do graduate work in communication and mass communication.
- Resume or CV to be attached to the online application.
- Personal statement detailing the applicant’s goals and objectives (to be attached to the online application). The essay should outline the applicant’s reasons for pursuing this M.A. degree (typed and double spaced, 1-2 pages in length).
Applications for priority consideration should be sent by April 14. The final deadline for applications is June 1. If applying after June 1, contact the graduate director. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Note: Application materials not included in the online application, such as transcripts and test scores should be sent to the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, 1101 Camden Avenue, Salisbury, MD 21801. For more application information, visit the Graduate Studies Office for details
Provisional Admission
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for admission to the M.A. in public communication may be admitted on a provisional basis, and then make up the deficiency. Provisionally admitted students may take a maximum of nine semester hours and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 with no grade less than C.
Program Policies
- After being formally admitted to the M.A. in public communication, and before beginning classes, graduate students must meet with the Communication Department’s graduate director to select one concentration area and to discuss the student’s path to program completion.
- A graduate student may not receive credit for a 500-level SU COMM course that corresponds to a COMM course previously taken at the 400 level for undergraduate credit (same title or topic).
- Complete 36 credit hours of graduate coursework taken at SU.
- Satisfactory performance on oral and written examinations.
- Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.0; earning two grades of C or one grade below C is grounds for dismissal from the program.
- The program should be completed within seven years of admission.
Checklist
This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.
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