Department of Communication
Graduate Program in Communication
Graduate Information
Fall 2007
The Master's Degree in Communication
Overview
The Graduate Program in Communication offers a master's program in communication with the option of a Master of Arts or Master of Science degree.
The field of communication is interdisciplinary, drawing from several areas including psychology, sociology, anthropology, linguistics, critical studies, and more. Both theory and research methods trace their origins to several fields, yet communication scholars have also developed theory and research methods tied directly to communication.
Department Culture
Collegiality and collaboration are key elements to student success at Portland State University. Students in communication are encouraged to work with each other, to teach courses and workshops, and to assist faculty with their research. Students collaborate formally-earning a stipend or college credit-and informally on class assignments and faculty projects.
Graduate students are especially encouraged to take advantage of the teaching opportunities in the department. In addition, students may apply for a paid teaching or research assistantship in the department or in other university departments.
Scholarship
Students are encouraged to work with faculty and other students on research projects. Students collaborate on research with faculty and will present their findings at meetings and conferences. Students have also collaborated with faculty on published manuscripts, documents and reports.
Coursework
Fall 2007 marks a transition for our program and we are revamping courses to better meet university and student needs. New information will be updated on the website, http://www.comm.pdx.edu/grad .
Graduate Program Requirements
Our expectation is that students enrolled in the Graduate Program in Communication develop an understanding and appreciation of the theories, concepts and research methods of the discipline.
Students also study research methods, which typically include qualitative, quantitative and critical approaches.
Options
Two options are available to students: thesis and project. Your decision should be made in consultation with your faculty advisor. Both options require successful completion of courses and a demonstrated proficiency in theory, research methods, and scholarship in your area. All students learn to develop and refine skills in conceptualization, problem definition, development and application of theories, and knowledge of research methods.
Students who complete a thesis develop a comprehensive written analysis of an area of study they are testing. The thesis addresses theory as well as application. Students who complete a project address a particular problem of interest, such as an information and marketing campaign, or creation and execution of a curriculum. The project may be written, videotaped, or some other relevant and approved method of presentation. Often students complete a project for a particular client based on the client's needs.
Final products for both options-thesis and project-are expected to be rigorous and of high quality.
Regardless of the option you choose, all students work closely with their faculty advisor or chair and members of their committees to ensure the highest standards of excellence.
Core Coursework
Thesis and project options: Students are required to take a
total of 50 credits of coursework. Six of the credits are
dedicated to the Project or Thesis.
Interdisciplinary Coursework
The study of human communication is interdisciplinary, drawing on methods and theories from a variety of humanistic and social science disciplines. It is important that students become conversant with the relevant literature both within the discipline of communication and in related disciplines.
Research Resources
Visit the areas in the Library devoted to social science, education, humanities and business. The Library offers orientations at the beginning of each term. Become familiar with the journals and electronic resources of each area. Interlibrary loan is also available to graduate students and is an important resource.
Pre-Admission and Transfer Credit
Please be mindful there are several requirements when requesting approval for pre-admission and transfer credits into the program at Portland State. You will need approval from the Communication faculty in addition to approval from the PSU Graduate Office. Students and their advisors submit a GO-21 form your first term at PSU to request pre-admission and/or transfer credit.
While the GO-21 form details specific requirements, note that credits for pre-admission and transfer must meet the following conditions:
-
Received a grade of B- or higher
- Completed the course no more than 5 years prior to admission to PSU
- No more than 15 quarter credits may be transferred including courses taken as "pre-admission".
- Credit from foreign institutions will be decided on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the PSU Graduate Office
All coursework you are requesting for transfer credits must be documented. You will need to supply the name of the institution, the title of the course, the credits earned, your grade, and the date the course was taken (this is explained on the GO-21 form).
In addition, you are responsible for providing evidence about the course substance. The communication department requires a written description of the course. The best description is the course syllabus, if you can furnish it. If not, supply the most complete course description available from the official catalog or bulletin. Make sure the description you provide is for the specific course you completed (that is, not a revised or newer version of the course).
Conditional Status
Students are admitted to the Graduate Program in Communication on a "conditional" basis. Each spring the graduate faculty review the progress of each student who is still on
"conditional status". Students who are deemed to be making satisfactory progress will have the "conditional status" removed. Students will be informed of the faculty's action after the review is completed. If you are not advanced to "regular" status, meet with your faculty advisor immediately to discuss needed remedial action.
Language Requirement (Master of Arts Students)
The Master of Arts degree requires proficiency in a foreign language. Students are responsible for making arrangements with the Foreign Language Department for the language proficiency examination. American Sign Language (ASL) may be substituted for a foreign language if the student meets competency standards. The language requirement must be satisfied prior to approval of your program of study (GO-12) or thesis committee appointment (GO-16M.
Program Advisor
Faculty serve as program advisors in communication for all candidates admitted to the graduate program. An advisor is assigned to each student and assists in deciding on the appropriate courses to take based on department requirements, area of interest and anticipated thesis or project. The program advisor also assists the student in completing required forms.
All students are required to solicit a faculty member-a committee chair-to guide them through their thesis or project. Your committee chair may be the same individual as the faculty advisor assigned when you arrived on campus, or you may ask an alternate faculty member to serve as chair. Typically a chair is requested who best matches the academic interests of the student.
Students in the thesis and project options select an advisory committee in consultation with their chair. The committee is comprised of the chair, (a tenure-track faulty member) and other faculty members, depending on the student's option and interests.
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