Master of Arts in Communication Studies (Non-thesis Option) - Rhetorical Studies

Communication studies examines the creation, expression, and analysis of messages in our personal, professional, and public lives. Graduate level coursework focuses upon research about how communication is related to social intelligence, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in personal, professional and civic settings. Students explore interpersonal communication, organizational communication, rhetoric and criticism, health communication, and communication of diversity and inclusion. Alumni excel in diverse cultural, professional, social, and personal settings as influential leaders, solution-oriented collaborators, highly trained researchers, talented writers, and engaging speakers.
The Master of Arts (M.A.) degree with a major in Communication Studies comprehensive, non-thesis program provides the greatest flexibility and breadth of understanding. The department assigns all communication studies majors to this comprehensive program. After the first term of course work, the student may request the thesis option. Students may elect to take up to six credits of course work outside of the department, with graduate advisor approval.
Students may select communication studies courses that develop expertise in one or more of the following resource areas: organizational communication, rhetorical studies, communication training and development, health communication, interpersonal communication, or instructional communication. Students also may select courses from related disciplines, such as mass communication, education, English, psychology, sociology, and business. The department encourages all students to explore courses that provide a breadth of knowledge about human communication.

baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university
official transcripts from each institution where course credit was granted
minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of undergraduate course work (plus any completed graduate courses)
GRE not required
resume/VITA
statement of purpose (approx. 1000 words) addressing the following:
which area(s) of communication studies are you most interested in pursuing and why
Describe at least two communication questions you might like to explore, understand better, or develop an expertise in during your graduate study. These questions are not binding, you do not have to research these questions should you be accepted, but they will help us assess your fit with graduate work, our program, and our faculty.
rationale for selecting the M.A. in communication studies at Texas State
readiness for graduate study, i.e., how the academic background has prepared the student for graduate study in the Department of Communication Studies at Texas State
career goals/plans, including how the student will apply the degree post-graduation
three letters of recommendation from individuals knowledgeable about your academic ability and promise as a scholar


IELTS (academic) - overall scores required 6.5 and minimum individual module scores of 6.0
TOEFL iBT - overall scores required with a 78 overall and minimum individual module scores of (19 listening, 19 reading, 19 speaking, 18 writing)