Communication and Journalism

Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Communication and Mass Communication

Application Due: January 15th
Start your application online here. Download (.pdf) our graduate brochure to learn more about our programs and curriculum.

• Admission Process
• Advisory Committee
• Research Paper and Examination Option
• Thesis Option
• Communication MA Requirements
• Mass Communication MA Requirements
• Contact

Admission Process

Review and selection of students for the upcoming academic year occurs between mid-January and mid-April. If you wish to receive first-round consideration for the coming year, you are advised to have your application complete by January 15th. Your application will be complete when it contains:

1. A completed Graduate School application form
2. Transcripts of completed undergraduate work
3. Letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with your academic record
4. A transcript of your GRE scores (dates and sites of exams are available here)
5. A report of your TOEFL score (if necessary)
6. An academic writing sample

You are responsible for monitoring the completion of your application in a timely manner.
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Advisory Committee

In the first semester, each student is appointed a temporary advisor. Students work with this faculty member in developing their plans for a program of study. During the first year, students select their official Advisory Committee for either a thesis or a research paper and examination program. Three faculty are required for the Advisory Committee; at least two must be members the department Graduate Faculty.
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Research Paper and Examination Option

Students selecting this option write a substantial research paper and take an essay examination that synthesizes their coursework. Though the manuscript is not as extensive as a thesis, the research paper must evidence critical thinking. Students typically take their exam right before their final semester.
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Thesis Option

Students electing the thesis option write a substantial, independent research project under the direction of an advisor. A thesis prospectus must be approved by the student's advisory committee prior to undertaking the research. Thesis students must take a maximum of six (6) hours in CMJ 699. After the thesis is completed, the student defends the research in an oral examination.
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Communication MA Requirements

Students select a program, either thesis or research paper and examination. Both programs require 31 credit hours. All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

1. Communication Core. Students must complete ten credit hours in:

CMJ 600 Introduction to Graduate Study in Communication (1 cr.)

CMJ 606 Rhetorical Theory

CMJ 608 Communication Theory

And either CMJ 601 Seminar in Research Methods OR
CMJ 603 Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism

2. Communication Concentration. Students following a research paper and exam program must complete 15 credit hours in their concentration. Thesis students must complete 9 credit hours:

CMJ 510 Critical Studies in Mass Communication

CMJ 524 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication

CMJ 566 Seminar in Aesthetic Communication

CMJ 593 Topics in Communication (only once)

CMJ 596 Topics in History of Public Discourse

CMJ 601 or 603 if not used in core requirement

CMJ 605 Communication in Organizations

CMJ 607 Seminar in Rhetoric and Social Theory

CMJ 698 Contemporary Issues in Communication

3. Communication Electives. Students must complete an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses. Any CMJ graduate level course (500 or 600 level) and may include up to 3 credits of a non-CMJ graduate course with approval of student’s advisory committee, including:

• CMJ 690 Directed Research (1-3 cr.)
• CMJ 695 Internship (1-3 cr.)

4. Thesis: Thesis students must complete up to a maximum of 6 credit hours of CMJ 699 Graduate Thesis. Students following a research paper and exam program take no thesis credits.
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Mass Communication MA Requirements

Students select a program, either thesis or research paper and examination. Both programs require 31 credit hours. All courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

1.Mass Communication Core. Students must complete 13 credit hours in:

• CMJ 600 Introduction to Graduate Study in Communication (1 cr.)
• CMJ 515 Mass Communication Theory
• CMJ 520 Media History
• CMJ 530 Mass Communication Law and Policy
• CMJ 601 Seminar in Research Methods

2. Mass Communication Students following a research paper and exam program must complete 12 credit hours in their concentration. Thesis students must complete 6 credit hours in:

• CMJ 510 Critical Studies in Mass Communication
• CMJ 540 Political Economy of Media
• CMJ 550 Advertising and Consumer Culture
• CMJ 560 Ethics in Media

One course can be taken from the following within the major concentration:

• CMJ 593 Topics in Communication
• CMJ 596 Topics in the History of Public Discourse
• CMJ 603 Seminar in Rhetorical Criticism
• CMJ 607 Seminar in Rhetoric & Social Theory
• CMJ 698 Contemporary Issues in Communication

3. Mass Communication Electives. Students must complete an additional 6 credit hours of elective courses. Any CMJ graduate level course (500 or 600 level) and may include up to 3 credits of a non-CMJ graduate course with approval of the student’s Advisory Committee, including:

CMJ 690 Directed Research (1-3 cr.)

CMJ 695 Internship (1-3 cr.)

4. Thesis: Thesis students must complete up to a maximum of 6 credit hours of CMJ 699 Graduate Thesis. Students following a research paper and exam program take no thesis credits.
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Questions about our graduate programs?

Please contact:

Graduate Coordinator
Department of Communication and Journalism
5724 Dunn Hall, Room 420
University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469

E-mail: comgrad@maine.edu