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M.A. in Communication
Vermillion, South Dakota
INTAKE: Jan & Aug
Program Overview
The M.A. in Communication at USD focuses on close faculty mentoring and personalized growth, allowing students to tailor their academic path to their specific interests and career goals. It offers a broad range of communication knowledge, encompassing interpersonal identities and relationships, culture and organizational life, as well as traditional and new forms of media. Students can choose between a thesis track, which prepares them for advanced academic work and research, and a non-thesis track, which focuses on applied skills and a comprehensive exam. The program is designed to cultivate advanced speaking, listening, critical thinking, problem-solving, research, and technology-guided communication skills.
Curriculum: The curriculum provides a strong foundation in graduate-level communication studies. Core courses typically include "Introduction to Graduate Study," "Quantitative Research Methods," "Qualitative Research in Communication Studies," and either "Mass Communication Ethics" or "Rhetorical Theory and Criticism." After completing these foundational courses, students have the flexibility to build their own academic plan by selecting electives from the Department of Communication Studies, the Department of Media & Journalism, or other related departments across the university. This allows for specialization in areas like health communication, political communication, intercultural communication, organizational communication, or media management. The thesis track requires 12 core hours plus 18 elective hours and 6 thesis hours, while the non-thesis track requires 12 core hours plus 24 elective hours and a comprehensive exam.
Research Focus: The Department of Communication Studies at USD has a vibrant research culture, with faculty actively engaged in scholarly inquiry that informs the M.A. program. The research focus spans a wide range of topics, including communication in cross-cultural adaptation, gender stereotypes in media, the role of artificial intelligence in crisis communications, persuasive techniques in political campaigns, provider-patient interaction in healthcare, and sports and community identity. Graduate students are encouraged to work directly with faculty on research projects, with opportunities to present their findings at regional and national conferences. This emphasis on research ensures that students gain a deep understanding of communication theory and methods, preparing them for both academic and applied research roles.
Industry Engagement: The University of South Dakota emphasizes practical application and preparing students for the workforce. While specific formal industry partnerships for the M.A. in Communication are not extensively detailed, the program provides various avenues for industry engagement. Faculty members often bring real-world professional experience into the classroom, enriching discussions with practical insights. The curriculum's focus on developing marketable skills in areas like public relations, marketing, media management, and advertising directly aligns with industry needs. Furthermore, graduate assistantship opportunities within the department can involve teaching undergraduate courses, providing campus-wide training, or assisting with media production at the Al Neuharth Media Center, offering valuable professional experience.
Global Perspective: The M.A. in Communication at USD inherently embraces a global perspective, recognizing that communication is central to understanding diverse cultures and societies. The curriculum explores various communication contexts, including interpersonal identities and relationships, culture, and organizational life, which often involve cross-cultural dynamics. Courses may touch upon intercultural communication, media's role in global connectedness, and the ethical implications of communication across international boundaries. By fostering critical thinking about how meanings are shared across different contexts and channels, the program prepares graduates to navigate and lead in an increasingly interconnected global environment, whether in international organizations, multinational corporations, or diverse communities.
Location
Vermillion, South Dakota
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
USD 12800
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
Application Fee: $38
Academic Qualifications: Applicants for postgraduate programs typically require a minimum academic achievement of 70% or above in their bachelor's degree.
English Language Proficiency:
- IELTS: Overall band score of 6.5 or 7.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.
- TOEFL: Overall score of 79 or higher.
- PTE: Overall score of 53 or higher.
- DET (Duolingo English Test): Minimum score of 110.
The University of South Dakota (USD) offers a variety of scholarship opportunities specifically designed to support international students in achieving their academic goals. These scholarships help reduce the financial burden of studying abroad and make quality education at USD more accessible to talented students from around the world.
Merit-Based Scholarships: USD awards merit-based scholarships to international students based on their academic achievements, leadership potential, and extracurricular involvement. These scholarships recognize outstanding high school or previous college performance and are renewable for multiple years, provided students maintain satisfactory academic progress.
International Student Academic Scholarships: These scholarships are specifically tailored for international undergraduate students and can cover a significant portion of tuition fees. Eligibility is typically based on a combination of academic excellence and the completion of the admission process by specified deadlines. Many of these scholarships are automatically considered upon application, so no separate application is required.
Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships: For international graduate students, USD provides graduate assistantships and fellowships that offer financial support alongside valuable professional experience. These opportunities often include tuition waivers and a stipend in exchange for research, teaching, or administrative work within the university.
Departmental Scholarships: Certain USD academic departments and colleges offer specialized scholarships for international students pursuing specific fields of study, such as business, health sciences, or fine arts. These scholarships often reward exceptional talent and dedication within those disciplines.
Graduates of the University of South Dakota's (USD) M.A. in Communication program emerge with highly sought-after skills that are applicable across a vast array of industries. The program's emphasis on critical thinking, strategic message development, research, and diverse communication modalities prepares students for influential roles where effective communication is paramount. Professionals with a Master's in Communication generally see a positive job outlook, as organizations increasingly recognize the value of skilled communicators.
Public Relations Manager/Specialist: These professionals manage the public image and communication of an organization or individual. They write press releases, manage media relations, develop strategic communication plans, and handle crisis communication to maintain a positive reputation. The job outlook for PR managers is strong, projected to grow faster than average.
Marketing Communications Director/Manager: This role involves overseeing all aspects of an organization's marketing communications, including advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and content strategy. They ensure consistent messaging across all channels to build brand awareness and drive engagement.
Social Media Manager: Specializing in online presence, Social Media Managers develop and execute strategies for various social media platforms. They create engaging content, monitor trends, analyze performance metrics, and interact with online communities to build brand loyalty and achieve marketing objectives.
Corporate Communications Specialist/Director: These professionals manage internal and external communications for a company, ensuring that messaging aligns with corporate objectives. They handle employee communications, executive communications, and may also be involved in investor relations or public affairs.
Technical Writer: Technical Writers translate complex technical information into clear, concise, and easy-to-understand documentation such as manuals, guides, and reports. Their strong communication skills are essential for making intricate subjects accessible to various audiences.
Content Strategist/Editor: With expertise in crafting compelling messages, Content Strategists develop comprehensive content plans for websites, blogs, social media, and other platforms. Editors ensure the quality, accuracy, and consistency of written and multimedia content.
Human Resources Manager/Specialist: Effective communication is vital in HR. Graduates can manage employee relations, internal communications, training and development programs, and conflict resolution, fostering a positive and productive work environment.
Training and Development Specialist: These professionals design and deliver training programs to enhance employee skills and organizational effectiveness. Their expertise in instructional design and communication allows them to create impactful learning experiences.
Higher Education Administrator/Instructor: An M.A. in Communication can lead to roles in university administration, student affairs, or as instructors for undergraduate communication courses, particularly within community colleges or as teaching assistants in doctoral programs.
Political Campaign Manager/Communications Director: In the political arena, graduates can leverage their persuasive communication skills to manage political campaigns, craft messaging, handle media relations, and engage with the public to influence public opinion and support candidates or causes.
