Program Director
Jeffrey Tyus, Ph.D.
2015 Bliss Hall
330-941-1856
jltyus@ysu.edu
Program Description
The Master of Arts degree in Professional Communication is designed for professionals in any organizational setting who wish to develop advanced communication knowledge and skills, as an end in itself or as preparation for a doctoral degree. In profit and non-profit, academic or non-academic settings, the program learning outcomes will be beneficial to anyone, but especially to managers and administrators.
Admission Requirements
In addition to the College of Graduate Studies admission requirements, to be admitted to the MA program, students must submit the following information for consideration.
- A current resume outlining academic and professional experience
- A letter of interest explaining how the candidate’s academic and/or professional experience and goals align with the MA program
- Official transcript(s) documenting a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. The applicant must send one transcript from each college or university attended, except YSU, to Graduate Admissions in Coffelt Hall.
- Three completed recommendation forms
- Evidence of graduate-level writing and critical thinking skills in the form of any one of the following:
- a 5 to 10 page individual writing sample,
- or a score of 3.5 or higher on the GRE Analytical Writing assessment,
- or a score of 155 of higher on the GRE Verbal assessment.
Students who do not meet the requirements for admission to the MA program may be admitted on a provisional basis with a score of 3.5 or higher on the GRE Analytical Writing assessment.
Faculty Research Interests
Communication Studies
Rebecca M. L. Curnalia, Ph.D., Professor
Informational and emotional content and effects of political communications; informational and emotional processing; political knowledge; political attitudes; vote choice; political motives; fear appeals; gender bias; grassroots campaigns
Adam C. Earnheardt, Ph.D., Professor
Sports media and fandom; media ethics; social media platforms; applications and campaigns; interpersonal and organizational conflict management and negotiation; public speaking and communication pedagogy
Cary Wecht, Ph.D., Professor
Nexus of media use and interpersonal communication; communibiology paradigm; business communication; use of media during 9/11; reality television
English (Professional AND TECHNICAL WRITING)
Diana Awad-Scrocco, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Professional and technical writing; medical rhetoric and communication; composition pedagogy; writing center theory and practice
Jay L. Gordon, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Rhetoric; technical and professional communication; document design; pedagogy of writing
Marketing
Kendra Fowler, Ph.D., Professor
Services marketing; retailing
Bruce Keillor, Ph.D., Professor, Chair
Marketing strategy; firm-level political strategy; cross-cultural marketing
Christina Saenger, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Consumer behavior; social media; identity; branding
Doori Song, Ph.D., Associate Professor
Advertising effect; consumer motivation; information processing; emerging media
Ying Wang, Ph.D., Professor
Integrated marketing communication; brand communication; international marketing; e-marketing
| COURSE | TITLE | S.H. |
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | ||
| CMST 6900 | Survey of Communication Graduate Studies | 3 |
| CMST 6980 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| CMST 6990 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 |
| Professional Communication Skills | ||
| CMST 6953 | Group Dynamics: Theory and Research | 3 |
| CMST 6957 | American Corporate Culture | 3 |
| Choose three Professional Communication Electives | 9 | |
| Communication for Instructors and Trainers | ||
| Conflict Management and Negotiation | ||
| Persuasion and New Media | ||
| Theory of Sports and Communication | ||
| Seminar | ||
| Choose one Completion Option | 6 | |
| Option One: Thesis | ||
| Thesis | ||
| Option Two: Capstone and Internship | ||
| Internship | ||
| Capstone | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 30 | |
Accelerated MA Professional Communication
Undergraduate students can apply for admission into the accelerated program for the MA in Professional Communication after completing 60 semester hours with a GPA of 3.5 or higher. After being admitted into the program, students can take a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate coursework that can count toward both an bachelor's and master's degree from the Department of Communication. The courses chosen to count for both undergraduate and graduate coursework must be approved by the Graduate Director upon admission into the program.
Learning Outcomes
-
Apply theory- and research-based best practices in professional contexts.
2. Produce effective messages for multiple audiences using current technologies.
3. Employ effective strategies for organizing and collaborating.
4. Employ advanced analytical and research skills in professional contexts.
5. Prepare and deliver effective internal and external organizational messages.
6. Present their research at university, state, and regional conferences.
7. Learn how to lead and appreciate an increasingly diverse and inclusive workforce
Graduate Courses
CMST 5852 Conflict Management and Negotiation 3 s.h.
An in-depth analysis of the theories and variables influencing conflict management, resolution, and negotiation. Includes strategies and skills for meditation and arbitration.
Prereq.: Junior Standing.
CMST 5860 Persuasion and New Media 3 s.h.
Introduction to persuasion theory and application of theory to new communication media.
Prereq.: Junior standing.
CMST 5889 Theory of Sports and Communication 3 s.h.
CMST 5889. An overview of sports and communication, their symbiotic relationship and the social, cultural, and political impact of that relationship.
Prereq.: Junior Standing.
CMST 5898 Seminar 3 s.h.
A cooperative exploration of topics in communication studies. May be repeated up to 6 semester hours.
Prereq.: Junior standing.
CMST 5898X Communication for Teachers and Trainers 3 s.h.
The study of communication theory and practice appropriate instructors and trainers. Theories and application focus primarily on interpersonal communication, group communication, and classroom speaking.
Prereq.: Junior standing.
CMST 6900 Survey of Communication Graduate Studies 3 s.h.
Orientation to teaching, learning, and research in the communication discipline for new graduate students.
CMST 6945 Communication for the Classroom Teacher 3 s.h.
The study of communication theory and practice appropriate for the prospective classroom teacher. Theories and application exercises focus on interpersonal communication, group communication, and classroom speaking.
CMST 6950 Computer Mediated Communication Research 3 s.h.
Theory, research, and application of CMC including examination of computer communication theories and relevant research methodologies, web design theory and critiques, blogging, podcasting, e-mailing, social media, multimedia storytelling. Design, implementation, and evaluation of CMC.
CMST 6953 Group Dynamics: Theory and Research 3 s.h.
Theory and research of group processes, critical thinking and creativity strategies, theory of group leadership and teamwork, conflict management and mediation, advanced group decision-making and problem solving, motivational strategies.
CMST 6957 American Corporate Culture 3 s.h.
Includes instruction in the types of cultures in American organizations, assessments of culture and climate, and best practices for shaping culture and improving climate to promote creativity, productivity, and employee satisfaction.
CMST 6970 Internship 3 s.h.
Communication-related work in a professional setting.
Prereq.: Special approval required.
CMST 6980 Qualitative Research Methods 3 s.h.
Introduction to and application of qualitative research methods relevant to business communication settings.
CMST 6990 Quantitative Research Methods 3 s.h.
Project-based course covering quantitative research methods, including surveys, experiments, and online analytics. Projects include data collection, analysis, and reporting using industry-standard software and platforms.
CMST 6991 Communication Problems: Independent Study 3 s.h.
Individual study and practical application of communication research principles to various organizational, group and mediated communication problems.
CMST 6994 Capstone 3 s.h.
Applied research paper on a communication topic. Oral presentation required. For non-thesis option students only. Thesis option students should take CMST 6995: Thesis.
Prereq.: Completion of the MA core courses.
CMST 6995 Thesis 3 s.h.
Research study on an applied communication topic. Oral presentation required. Total of 6 s.h. required for the MA thesis option. For thesis option students only. Non-thesis option students should take CMST 6994: Capstone.
Prereq.: Completion of the MA core courses.
CMST 6996 Thesis 2 3 s.h.
Research study on an applied communication topic. Oral presentation required. Total of 6 s.h. required for the MA thesis option. For thesis option students only. Non-thesis option students should take CMST 6994: Capstone.
Prereq.: Completion of the MA core courses AND CMST 6995.
CMST 6997 Thesis 3 1-3 s.h.
Research study on an applied communication topic. Oral presentation required. Total of 6 s.h. required for the MA thesis option. For thesis option students only. Non-thesis option students should take CMST 6994: Capstone.
Prereq.: Completion of the MA core courses AND CMST 6995 and CMST 6996.