Communication and Advocacy, M.A.
Program Director: Melissa Alemán
Email: alemanmc@jmu.edu
Program Description
The School of Communication Studies promotes an academic environment in which students, faculty and staff develop innovative communication practices and facilitate constructive dialogue in the classroom and community to inspire responsible citizenship in a diverse world. We are committed to the teaching of communication theory and criticism, the development of communication and advocacy skills, the research of communication processes and practices, and the application of generated knowledge about human communication toward the betterment of self and community.
Accordingly, members of the School of Communication Studies strive to create a learning environment whereby:
- Individuals are academically well-rounded, diverse in experience and reflective in their methods, research, and skill sets for approaching communication;
- Scholarship is communication focused, but interdisciplinary in approach, and produces meaningful dialogue within our academic disciplines and communities;
- Professional service, outreach to communities, and advocacy for human betterment is valued by and from each individual.
This program is designed to be completed in 2 years. Summer courses are not required.
Admission Requirements
In order to be considered for admission to the graduate program in Communication and Advocacy in the School of Communication Studies, applicants must demonstrate:
- Graduation from a regionally accredited college or university.
- Satisfactory grade point average in their undergraduate course work.
- Proficiency in writing, research and analytical skills demonstrated through research methods coursework in communication or a related field, or a writing sample.
The School of Communication Studies requires that all prospective applicants submit the following materials:
- Official transcripts of all colleges and universities attended
- A written statement of educational professional goals (500 words)
- A resume or curriculum vitae
- Two letters of recommendation from professors, employers, and other professionals qualified to judge the applicants ability to successfully complete a graduate program. Recommendations for those applying for Graduate Assistantships should also address the applicant's potential for teaching.
- A prompted essay (500-750 words)
Students may apply online to The Graduate School and apply for assistantships through the process described on the graduate program website. Applications are reviewed beginning February 15.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Communication and Advocacy is a 36-credit hour program that includes:
- 18 hours of core course work in advocacy studies, theory and applied contexts, and communication research methods
- Nine hours of concentrated study in advocacy topics salient in both academic and professional contexts, such as health, environmental and strategic communication
- Nine hours dedicated to a major project option of thesis or internship credit designed to facilitate specific vocational and academic qualifications in the field. Includes three hours of elective course work or nine hours related to the comprehensive examination
The core spans applied theory and contexts as well as research methods and tools. It is designed to prepare students to systematically examine, assess, critique and develop communication advocacy practices across a wide range of areas. The additional requirements and electives allow students to develop competencies in specific areas of advocacy studies.
All students must pass a comprehensive assessment to fulfill the completion requirement for the program. For students choosing the major project option, the assessment will take the form of an oral defense of their thesis or internship project. The student's thesis or internship committee will assess the defense of the major project. For students selecting the comprehensive examination option, the examination will take the form of a timed, written examination administered and assessed by the Graduate Studies Committee.
The number of elective credits required is dependent on the choice of completion requirement. Students that choose to complete an internship or thesis will complete three credits of elective courses. Students that choose the comprehensive exam option will complete nine hours of elective courses.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to the Program | ||
| SCOM 500 | Introduction to Advocacy Studies | 3 |
| Subtotal | 3 | |
| Theory and Applied Contexts | ||
| SCOM 540 | Seminar in Communication Theory | 3 |
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Rhetorical Theory | ||
| Seminar in Critical Theory and Communication | ||
| Advocacy Processes and Techniques | ||
| Interpersonal Communication as Advocacy | ||
| Facilitating Collaborative Governance and Public Problems | ||
| Applied Organizational Communication | ||
| Seminar in Risk and Crisis Communication | ||
| Special Topics in Communication Theory and Applied Contexts | ||
| Readings and Research | ||
| Fieldwork in Communication and Advocacy | ||
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Research Methods and Tools | ||
| Choose two of the following: | 6 | |
| Seminar in Communication Research Methods | ||
| Seminar in Rhetoric and Criticism | ||
| Seminar in Quantitative Communication Research Methods | ||
| Seminar in Autoethnographic Methods | ||
| Seminar in Qualitative Research Methods | ||
| Subtotal | 6 | |
| Concentrations | ||
| As part of their requirements for an M.A. degree in Communication and Advocacy, students will select a concentrated area of study. In each concentration, research, theory and practical application are combined to help students develop and refine knowledge and skills essential to becoming effective communication advocates, research investigators and communication research consumers. See below for more information. | 9 | |
Environmental Communication | ||
Health Communication | ||
Strategic Communication | ||
| Subtotal | 9 | |
| Completion Requirement | ||
| Students complete nine credits of thesis or internship dedicated to a major project designed to facilitate specific vocational and academic qualifications in the field (including three hours of elective course work); or nine credits related to the comprehensive examination. 1 | 9 | |
| Completion requirements may include: | ||
| Communication Studies Thesis | ||
| Communication Studies Internship | ||
Comprehensive examination | ||
| Subtotal | ||
| Total Credits | 36 | |
- 1
Elective course(s) should come from core courses, another concentration or from another program that assists in the development of the student's professional goals. Courses cannot fulfill more than one requirement. The number of electives is dependent on the choice of completion requirement.
Concentrations
Environmental Communication Concentration
Graduate students interested in specializing in environmental communication will complete course work focusing on the multifaceted nature of environmental advocacy, key forums through which competing local to international interests are identified, contested and managed, as well as how various levels of risk are framed, challenged and negotiated. Students graduating with a concentration in environmental communication will be prepared to work in a variety of nonprofit, government and corporate settings constructing and evaluating environmental campaigns, facilitating organizational and group decision making about issues related to environmental practices, communicating effectively with varied stakeholders with conflicting interests, and educating and motivating diverse audiences regarding environmental interests.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Communication Concentration Requirements | ||
| Choose three of the following: | 9 | |
| Environmental Decision Making: Conflict, Advocacy and Participatory Processes | ||
| Environmental Justice: Advocacy and Perspectives | ||
| Critical Perspectives: Environment, Advocacy, and Public Culture | ||
| Environmental Campaign Advocacy and Social Influence | ||
| Special Topics in Environmental Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Health Communication Concentration
Graduate students interested in specializing in advocacy in the context of Health Communication will complete course work across a wide range of health care situations. Students graduating with a concentration in health communication will be prepared to work in a variety of non-profit, government and corporate settings constructing and evaluating health-related messages and campaigns, educating audiences using culturally appropriate messages designed to reach diverse groups, and advocating for patients and clients in a variety of health care contexts.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Health Communication Concentration Requirements | ||
| Choose three of the following: | 9 | |
| Health Communication Advocacy and Social Influence: Campaign Development and Delivery | ||
| Intercultural Health Communication Advocacy | ||
| Communication, Advocacy and Health Organizations | ||
| Patient-Provider Communication and Advocacy | ||
| Special Topics in Health Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Strategic Communication Concentration
Graduate students interested in specializing in strategic communication will complete course work focused on the research-driven, analytical approach utilized by contemporary advocates used to address communication challenges and opportunities in the public and private sector. Students with a concentration in strategic communication will be prepared to work in a variety of corporate, governmental and nonprofit settings constructing and evaluating communication campaigns, facilitating organizational and group decision making, engaging effectively with interested stakeholders, and educating and motivating diverse audiences.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Communication Concentration Requirements | ||
| Choose three of the following: | 9 | |
| Strategic Communication | ||
| Public Policy, Communication and Governmental Advocacy | ||
| Stakeholder Engagement | ||
| Strategic Communication Campaigns | ||
| Special Topics in Strategic Communication | ||
| Total Credits | 9 | |