Communication MA

Total Credits - 33

• COMM 500 - Graduate Colloquium Credits: 0
• COMM 510 - Communication Theory Credits: 3
• COMM 520 - Communication Research I Credits: 3
• COMM 525 - Christian Communication Worldview & Ethics Credits: 3 *
• COMM 650 - Communication Research II Credits: 3

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  *or equivalent 3-credit ethics course if taking MDiv/MA Dual Degree

Maintaining Academic Standing

All graduate students need to understand that

• The GRE must be completed in order to register for the second semester courses.
• Must enroll in COMM 500 - Graduate Colloquium   Credits: 0 every Fall and Spring semester.
• A student on regular status must, in consultation with the graduate advisor, identify members to serve on a supervisory committee, prior to application to Candidacy. It determines individual requirements for completion with reference to a student’s Plan of Study.
• A 3.00 GPA per semester must be maintained.
• The Advancement to Candidacy deadline is the semester prior to the student applying for graduation.
• Students are responsible for completing all the required forms.

All required forms are submitted to the coordinator of the Department Graduate Program. On approval, recommendations are made to the Records Office and to the Dean of Graduate Studies. See General Academic Policies for further details on graduation procedures and degree conferral.

Departmental Admission Requirements

This is a summary of the procedures that a student planning to enroll in the MA should note:

• At the time of application for admission, students must:
  • have a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent.
  • present a resume of current experience.
  • submit a Statement of Purpose which explains how the relevant disciplines will be integrated to meet his/her career and academic goals.
• Upon acceptance and registration, the student in conjunction with the graduate advisor will develop a Plan of Study which is based on the student’s Statement of Purpose.

• Must have minimum GPA for entrance into Andrews University School of Graduate Studies.

• No GRE is required if your undergraduate GPA is above 3.0.

• In addition to the admission requirements of the School of Graduate Studies & Research, the student applying to the Department of Visual Art, Communication & Design must meed the following requirements:

  • Language Requirements

    English Proficiency Requirements. All students whose first language is not English must demonstrate adequate proficiency in English to succeed in the academic setting.

    Language proficiency must be met before enrolling full-time in regular course work.

    Test	Score
    TOEFL Paper-based	565
    TOEFL iBT Internet-based	85-Minimum 20 in each section (reading, listening, speaking, writing).
    MELAB	81
    IELTS Academic Version	6.5
    PTE Academic Version	58

Resources

For information about requirements for admission, progression through the program, and completion, please see Department’s Graduate Student Manual at www.andrews.edu/communication and under the “Graduate” tab.

Student Learning Outcomes

1: Specialized Knowledge: Skills and Competencies

Students learn specialized skills and competencies necessary to develop a visual vocabulary across core curriculum in preparation for the student’s area of emphasis.

• Develop a strong foundation in communication that spans across disciplines.
• Define a personal language that allows for how those views fit in relation to others and the world around them.
• Convey ideas with clarity and confidence in their speech and writing.
• Convey ideas with clarity and confidence in their work.

2: Critical Thinking and Creative Process

Students gain a vocabulary of creative strategies including research, conceptualization, and problem solving strategies which can be applied to any visual or communicative problem.

• Evaluate and synthesize different points of view and determine solutions to serve specific outcomes.
• Apply a flexible and analytical approach to finding creative, practical, and actionable solutions to a variety of visual communication problems.
• Incorporate an adaptable approach to a rapidly changing media landscape.

3: Cultural Literacy and Contextual Adaptability

Students take advantage of the unique learning environment of Andrews University by developing a curiosity, respect, and recognition of diversity in cultural, economic and social entities.

• Gain an understanding of current social, cultural, economic, and environmental issues and how these issues can inform and shape their creative production and its reception.
• Demonstrate knowledge of historical, current, and innovative events across disciplines.
• Develop familiarity of discipline ideologies across a range of media and various applications.

4: Intentional Exploration with Interdisciplinary Connections

Students pursue the various creative processes with intentionality to explore interdisciplinary connections and their potential.

• Gain knowledge and appreciation for the potential in interdisciplinary pursuits and collaborations.
• Students use specialized knowledge to navigate between academic disciplines to create cross-disciplinary content.
• Network across disciplines to pursue opportunities for collaborative projects and community-based initiatives.

5: Quality of Execution + Professional Practices

Students develop a highly resolved and excellent portfolio in conjunction with professional development.

• Students develop insight into business practices and principles that are specific to their chosen field.
• Reflect on process to understand its usefulness in establishing individual perspective, intentionality of craft, and personal methodologies.
• Students learn effective research and conceptualization approaches to assignments and presentations.
• Students pursue information in support of their research, progressing to a level of evaluating, sourcing, and conducting self-directed research and assuming autonomy of their direction.

6: Development and Integration of Faith and Ethics

The integration of faith and ethics within the context of professional creative careers is explored in terms of affecting personal, community, and environmental self-awareness and integrity. Placed within the diverse setting of Andrews University, students explore ways in which their faith informs their creative practices.

• Students contemplate the role of a scholar-citizen, who navigates potential ethical challenges in creative practice and cultural production with self and social awareness.
• Students learn the ethical, legal and socio-economic considerations surrounding the production and applications of content.