Master of Arts Communication Specialization in Science, Society and Policy

The Department of Communication at the Faculty of Arts offers an MA program in Communication with thesis or with research paper, a Master of Communication (MC) by coursework to which a co-op option can be added, and a PhD in Communication.

The MA focuses on two fields of research: media studies and organizational communication. The media studies field examines the content and the modes of operation of traditional and emerging media in their social, cultural, economic, political and regulatory contexts.

Organizational communication focuses on interpersonal and group interactions in the workplace; planning for internal and external communication in private, public, and nonprofit organizations; risk/crisis communication, public relations, ICTs uses within organizations, etc.

The program aims to develop in graduates the following skills:

• Evaluate critically the theories, concepts and assumptions underlying media studies or organizational communication with particular attention to their chosen research interest.
• Demonstrate an ability to identify and work with the varying epistemological traditions developed by French-speaking and English-speaking scholars in communication studies.
• Contribute to the development of skills, theories, approaches, and materials for both academics and professionals.
• Analyze data and communicate research results to diverse audiences, including scholars, policymakers, and professionals in communication studies.

The MA is offered on a full-time or on a part-time basis.

The department is one of the participating units in the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy (master's level only).

The collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy allows students enrolled in one of the participating masters programs to specialize in science and innovation policy.

The objective of the collaborative program is to provide students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate the challenges confronting decision-making at the interface of science and policy. Students will have an opportunity to explore how evidence is used in decision-making, how current policies shape the scientific enterprise, and how emerging technologies interact with society.

The degree awarded specifies the primary program and indicates Specialization in Science, Society and Policy.http://www.grad.uottawa.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=1807">academic regulations in effect for graduate studies.

For the most accurate and up to date information on application deadlines, language tests and other admission requirements, please visit the specific requirements webpage.

The requirements for admission to the MA program in Communication are as follows:

• An honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) with a specialization or major in Communication or a related discipline.
  or
• An honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in another discipline, with a minor in Communication and two or more years of relevant experience.
  or
• An honours bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in another discipline, with three or more years of relevant experience.
• A minimum overall average of 70% (B), calculated in accordance with graduate studies guidelines.
• All applicants must be able to understand, speak, and write proficiently either English or French. Applicants whose first language is neither English nor French must provide proof of proficiency in one or the other. In addition, a passive knowledge of the other language (ability to understand the spoken and written word) is necessary. The list of acceptable proofs is indicated in the “Admission” section of the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.

Transfer from Master’s to PhD

Students enrolled in the MA program in Communication at the University of Ottawa have the opportunity to go directly to the PhD program without having to write the thesis provided the following conditions are met:

• Have an average of A- in the last two years of undergraduate studies;
• Have successfully completed four courses of the MA program (12 units) with an average of at least A-;
• Have shown satisfactory progress in their research;
• Have a letter of recommendation from the proposed doctoral thesis supervisor;
• Have the approval of the Graduate Studies Committee of the Department of Communication.

The student must make a written request to transfer to the PhD program no later than the beginning of the fourth term of enrollment and must enroll in the doctoral program in the fifth term at the latest. Once the transition is made, all the requirements of the doctoral program must be met. The total number of course units required is 27 (12 at the master’s level, plus 15 at the doctoral level).

Collaborative Programs

The Department of Communication is one of the units participating in the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy (master’s level only). Students should indicate in their initial application for admission that they wish to be accepted into this collaborative program. 

Admission to the collaborative program in Science, Society and Policy is governed by the general regulations in effect for graduate studies.  

Applications for admission may be submitted at the time of application to a participating master’s program (i.e. primary program) at the University of Ottawa or upon acceptance into a participating master’s program at the University of Ottawa.  

To be accepted into the collaborative program candidates must:

• Be admitted to one of the programs participating in the collaborative program;
• Submit a collaborative program enrollment form;
• Submit a 1-page cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining their interest in the collaborative program and how their research topic or area aligns with the scope of inquiry at the Institute for Science, Society and Policy;
• In the case of a thesis-based program, the collaborative enrollment form must be signed by the student’s thesis supervisor, as consent to participate in the collaborative program.

Note that some of the primary programs have a co-op option. Students in the collaborative program may also have access to the co-op option provided that space is available, that they meet the co-op admission requirements, and that required courses do not conflict with the schedule of co-op placements.

• Apply online through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC), by completing form 105.
• Declare all your current and previous postsecondary studies, completed or not, even if they are not related to your application. Failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your application or the withdrawal of your offer of admission at any time.
• Enter your email address, making sure it is accurate. We will use this address to communicate with you for all matters. Also, check your inbox (and junk mail folder) regularly for messages from the University of Ottawa.
• Pay the application fees for all your admission applications. Applications are forwarded to the University of Ottawa only after fees are paid in full and the payment has cleared. Learn more about application fees.
• Note that OUAC is not part of the University of Ottawa. It handles applications to all Ontario universities and is responsible for transferring your application to our admission office.