Communication

Walking the Humanities into the Marketplace in Theory and Practice

The M.A. in Communication is a flexible program that draws from the richness of the communication field to allow students to pursue a number of interests and professional goals.

Working closely with the M.A. program directors, students choose courses housed in any of the emphasis areas to develop a unique program of study designed to build particular skill sets and capabilities necessary for an ever-changing marketplace. Developing competencies in a number of areas (including intercultural and interpersonal communication, organizational communication, argumentation, persuasion, event planning, etc.), this emphasis prepares students for careers in both the for-profit and non-profit industries, law, public policy, or business.

All coursework is delivered in traditional, hybrid, and distance learning formats.

 

Degree

Master's

School

McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts

Required Credit Hours

30

Program Requirements

All students must take the following core courses and then choose a concentration area for the remaining requirements.

  • COMM 500 Professional Communication
  • COMM 501 Persuasion in the Marketplace
  • COMM 515 Organizational Communication
  • COMM 522 Communication Research Methods
  • COMM 523 Communication Ethics & Professional Civility
Communication Studies
  • Students select five (5) electives in consultation with advisors.

Rhetoric of Philosophy & Technology
  • COMM 559 Philosophy of Communication
  • COMM 561 Rhetorical Theory
  • COMM 511 Rhetoric of Digital Communication
  • COMM 610 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Cyberspace/
  • COMM 628 Rhetoric & Philosophy of Technology
  • One (1) elective in consultation with advisors.

Graduate Practicum Program

The Department of Communication & Rhetorical Studies' Internship Office walks a humanities education into the marketplace. We are dedicated to providing high quality internship opportunities for our graduate students to help them make the transition from learning communication in the classroom to practicing communication in the marketplace. The internship at the undergraduate level is mirrored by the practicum at the M.A. level.

The Internship office provides assistance with resume and interviewing skills and offers a wide variety of communication practicum opportunities. Recent placements have been in organizations such as:

  • Alzheimer's Association
  • Bellwether
  • Duquesne University Office of Alumni Relations
  • Mylan
  • Velocity Robotics
  • VisitPittsburgh
  • Yeshiva Schools

This serves as a true internship opportunity, requiring students to create proposals, partake in mid-internship performance appraisals, and track weekly time reports.