The five-year BA-MA accelerated program combines the Bachelor of Arts in Communication with a Master of Arts in Communication. Students can earn an MA by taking 30 credits of graduate-level coursework, nine of which are taken during the undergraduate senior year.

MA coursework typically takes one extra school year, including one summer or winter session course.

Admission into the 5-year BA-MA program

Students apply for the BA-MA program in their junior year (once they have earned 60-80 credits). Candidates for the five-year BA-MA program will have a strong academic record including:

Completion of at least two of the following:

Completion of at least two other COMM courses at the 3000 level.

Maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 or higher.

Application process

The application process begins with a meeting with Dr. Kate Dunsmore, Director of the MA program, to learn about the program and how it could fit with their goals. This meeting will include an initial review of their academic record.

Students interested in the five-year BA-MA complete an application form which includes listing two references and providing a personal statement about their motivation in pursuing the degree. To get the application form, email Dr. Dunsmore.

Degree plan

Senior year undergraduate (9 graduate credits)

The senior undergraduate year of all BA MA students is a qualifying year. The three listed graduate courses count towards the completion of the B.A. degree. Students must earn a B grade or better in each of the three required classes in order to qualify for the graduate year. Failure to earn B grades or better in each required class means that the student will graduate at the end of the senior year with a BA in Communication Studies, but will not be allowed to continue into the graduate year.

Fall of undergraduate senior year

  • MCOM 6001 Principles and Practices of Communication

Spring of undergraduate senior year

  • MCOM 6005 Group Communication and Leadership
  • MCOM 6006 Research Methods

Graduate year (21 credits)

Summer (3 credits)

  • MCOM 7002 International Communication and Culture, a cultural context course offered at FDU’s Wroxton, UK campus. Students typically take the summer course following the completion of their senior undergrad year. Students may also complete 3 credits with a Winter Session course.

OR

  • MCOM context course

Fall (9 credits)

  • MCOM 6002 Professional Writing and Editing
  • MCOM 6003 Presentation Methods
  • MCOM context course

Spring (9 credits)

  • MCOM 6004 Executive Lectures
  • MCOM 6099 The Capstone Experience
  • MCOM context course

Students walk in commencement exercises at the end of the spring semester.

Contact Information
Dr. Kate Dunsmore
973-443-8460
dunsmore@fdu.edu

Course Descriptions

  • COMM2102 This course discusses issues such as images of foreign countries, (mis)understanding of different cultures, the flow of information, and cultural invasion/imperialism. By taking this course stu- dents will 1)gain a better understanding of the relationship between international communication and globalization, 2)grasp the role mass media play in global communication, and 3)enhance criti- cal awareness of problems mass media make.

  • COMM2204 Course provides an introduction to a wide range of theories and research about effective communication in contexts such as friendship, small groups, and organizations. Special emphasis on interpersonal and intercultural communication issues.

  • COMM2861 from OIS 954 E0145

  • COMM3101 Course provides an introduction to the research procedures and techniques used in such fields as advertising and journalism. Emphasis on understanding the rationale for survey, experimental, and ethnographic research methods.

  • COMM4001 Practical experience in communication in a professional setting.

  • COMM4005 Consideration of classical and contemporary theoretical approa- ches to literature and communication. Literature as a communica- tion model. Emphasis on recent theories that reassess the status of texts, the role of the reader, the relationship between high and popular cultures and the nature of meaning, among other issues.

  • MCOM6001 This course provides an introduction to graduate study in Communication, the major area of research and practice in discipline, key publications in the field, and the specializations of the Department of Communication Studies faculty. Students will be given an overview of the history and foundational theories of the discipline, as well as paradigms and methodologies of communication research and practice, and learn how to apply them in discussions and analyses of contemporary communication problems.

  • MCOM6002 This course will introduce students to writing techniques used by communication professionals and enhance their professional writing and editing skills through analysis of and practice in various modes of written communication, including research reports, newsletters, blogs, press releases, memos, letters and brochures, among others.

  • MCOM6003 Techniques of oral communication in professional, corporate and institutional contexts. Workshop sessions devoted to listening skills, electronic media presentations and impromptu responses to hostile questions. Term-long focus on individually selected target audience, actual or hypothetical. Professional and peer critiques.

  • MCOM6004 Emphasis of these executive lectures is on the forces influencing corporate communications. Analysis of advertising, marketing and related corporate communications. Topics include politics and infomercials, brands in crisis, integrated marketing, licensing, public image engineering, corporate citizenship, green marketing, cause marketing, gambling, public TV and other sponsorships, new communication technology, minority marketing, international issues, creative issues and other topics. Guest speakers and panel formats. Research interview and term project required. Taught by Schering-Plough Distinguished Visiting Professor of Corporate Communications. Can be taken more than once since the topics vary.

  • MCOM6005 The main purpose of this course is to help students become better communicators in the context of a small group. The objective is to provide both (a) a broad understanding of group communication processes, and (b) practical advice to help students be more effective small group participants and leaders. The course will primarily deal with task-oriented small groups-groups with a specific objective to achieve information to share a problem to solve or a decision to make.

  • MCOM6006 This course introduces students to a range of research principles and methods for examining contemporary communication practices and problems across contexts. In addition, the course offers students the opportunity to explore a range of approaches to research, including both qualitative and quantitative, in which to ground their own individual research projects for the MA Capstone Experience.

  • MCOM6099 The Capstone Experience: Principles into Practice The capstone experience seeks to blend KNOWLEDGE/THEORY and APPLICATION/ACTION. Students will be expected to APPLY concepts learned during the course of the program toward the completion (i.e. ACTION) of a communication-based project of suitable scope within their own workplace or within another appropriate organizational site. In addition to integrating knowledge gained from coursework, the project students elect to undertake must also demonstrate the oral and written communication skills expected of those nearing the completion of a Master of Arts degree in Corporate & Organizational Communication.

  • MCOM7002 Intensive two weeks of lectures, discussions and field experiences at FDU's Wroxton campus in England. Focus on legal, social, political and cultural factors influencing business and communications abroad. Lecturers include leading British and continental corporate executives, journalists and political leaders. Students complete an individual project upon return from the program. Course fee includes tuition, room and board and excursion costs. Airfare is additional.