Communication

Program introduction

The M.A. in Communication degree program offers two majors (1) Reputation Management and (2) Communication.

The M.A. in Reputation Management focuses on public relations management in a variety of sectors including corporate, nonprofit, and government sectors. This degree is designed for students interested in advanced studies on how to improve public perceptions of organizations and enhance the goodwill asset on the company balance sheet. Students who complete the Reputation Management major earn a graduate professional credential that prepares them for broader management responsibilities and enhances their career advancement. Reputation Management is delivered on campus in Blacksburg and in Falls Church, Virginia, using a bimodal delivery of courses.

The M.A. in Communication involves advanced study in strategic communication and society, media, and technology research from a variety of theoretical and methodological perspectives. The program introduces students to public and mass communication for application to academic and professional settings. Students engage in reviewing and discussing research and criticism while collecting and interpreting original research data. The M.A. in Communication is a residential program located on campus in Blacksburg.

Both the M.A. in Communication and Reputation Management have opportunities for funded graduate assistantships. These assistantships provide a GTA salary and payment toward tuition (tuition remission), but are only available for the residential option.

Degree Requirements

Coursework for the Reputation Management major requires t 9 credit hours of core subjects (Communication Theory, Quantitative Research in Communication, and Qualitative Research in Communication), 15 credit hours in specified public relations courses, 9 credit hours of electives in suggested business courses, and 3 hours in professional project or report (non-thesis) credit. Successful completion of the M.A. program's ethics requirement is part of the progress toward degree.

All graduate students receiving the M.A. in Communication degree must complete 36 credit hours. Required coursework for students in the Communication major includes 9 credit hours of core subjects (Communication Theory, Quantitative Research in Communication, and Qualitative Research in Communication), 15 credit hours of major-specific coursework, at least 6 credits hours of electives, and 6 hours of thesis credit. The thesis includes an oral defense administered by the student's advisory committee and a public presentation of thesis findings.

Major Descriptions

Students in the Reputation Management major apply communication and public relations theories to business problems in real-world situations. These students, public relations practitioners with five or more years of experience, complete professional projects or reports. These allow students to demonstrate that they can put what they have learned in coursework into practice in a variety of business contexts.

The program boasts a nearly 100% placement rate for Communication majors at top Ph.D. departments for graduates interested in pursuing doctoral study. Those planning a professional career typically are employed within four months of graduation.

Deadline for Fall admission and funding is February 1st.

Second-round applications are accepted until May 31st.

The program does not typically accept spring admissions for full-time students; part time students should consult with the graduate director Dr. Cayce Myers, [email protected].

Detailed information about the program's goals, funding opportunities, faculty, and application procedure, may be found by visiting the Virginia Tech Communication M.A. webpage.