Communications Management (M.A.)

Program Description
The master of arts (M.A.) degree in communications management is intended for students working in any communications-related field, who are seeking to advance to a position with broader managerial responsibilities. For forward-looking communications professionals, this degree is a necessity. Qualifications include a strong educational background or professional experience in a communications-related field. A student may be required to enroll in 6 hours of prerequisite undergraduate coursework. The selection of prerequisites will be determined through consultation with an academic advisor. Students must earn a grade of "B" or better in the prerequisite courses before they will be allowed to enroll in graduate courses. The prerequisite courses do not count toward the 36 credit hours required for the degree, nor will they be considered as part of the credit hours required for advancement to candidacy.

Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply all functional areas of communications to specific organizational issues or challenges

• Manage projects within a communications framework

• Work in a business environment with business people

• Present solutions to communications problems

• Work with creative and technical experts

• Use strategy and tactics in implementation of communication plans and programs

• Adapt and integrate new skills as technologies change

Program Curriculum

This degree offers students the opportunity to earn a masters degree in communications while having the flexibility to choose emphasis courses from various business and management disciplines. This degree is also available online. Online courses require excellent organizational skills, self-direction, and motivation to master the challenges of this learning environment. MEDC 5000 Media Communications is the requisite course in the communications management program. It examines communications theory and its application to mass media, as well as introducing students to the graduate program, describing program expectations, and discussing academic preparation for MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications. Therefore, students must take this course even if they have academic and/or professional experience in media communications. Any variation from this curriculum should be approved in advance using a program option request form. The required courses and electives listed in this core may be taken as Directed Studies, subject to the conditions stated in the Directed Studies section listed under Academic Policies and Procedures and approved by the Director of Graduate Studies. Students taking courses that are a part of their approved curricula and are from outside of the School of Communications should verify prerequisites with appropriate school or college.


7 Core Courses – (21 hours)
  MEDC 5000 Media Communications (Requisite Course)
  MEDC 5300 Strategic Communications
  MEDC 5310 Media and Culture
  MEDC 5323 Public Communications: Organizational Communications
  MEDC 5350 Media Organization and Regulations
  MEDC 5400 Media Production Management
  MEDC 6000 Seminar in Media Communications
  (must have completed all other core courses before taking 6000)

5 Emphasis Courses – 15 hours must be completed from the following:
Courses offered at Salt Lake Campus or online
  BUSN 5000 Business
  HRMG 5000 Managing Human Resources
  MEDC 5322 Public Communications: Public Relations
  MNGT 5000 Management
  MRKT 5000 Marketing

Courses offered online only
  BUSN 5680 Issues in Business: Project Management
  MEDC 5360 International Communications
  MEDC 5460 Media Research
  MEDC 5465 Crisis Management Communications
  MEDC 5600 Introduction to Interactive Communications
  MEDC 5650 Special Topics in Interactive Media
  INTB 5000 International Business

TOTAL Credit Hours 36

 

Click here for more information including course descriptions from the Webster University 2005-2007 Graduate Catalog.