San Jose State University : Communication Studies

Navigation

Main Content

Apply

Students wishing to pursue master's work in the Department of Communication Studies are applying for what is listed in the university application form as the M.A. in Communication Studies. An applicant for the communication studies degree must first meet the requirements for admission to the University as set forth in the University's General Catalogue. You can learn about these requirements - and the deadlines associated with them - by visiting the SJSU Office of Graduate Studies website. From that site, you can also fill out the online application. At that point, you're ready to begin the process of admission. Please note: The Department of Communication Studies accepts applications for Fall semester only.

Procedures for Admission

First: Applicants should send the application and all their college transcripts to:

San José State University
Graduate Studies & Research
One Washington Square
San José, CA 95192-0025
Email: gradstudies@sjsu.edu
Web: sjsu.edu/gradstudieslink outside COMM website

Second: Applicants should arrange for:

  1. Two letters of recommendation, and -
  2. A writing sample following these guidelines:
    Please prepare a personal statement of approximately 1000 words addressing:
    • your reason(s) for wanting to pursue the M.A. in communication studies,
    • your goals and expectations for graduate study, and
    • your relevant professional and academic experience.
    Be sure to indicate a particular interest or interests in communication studies that draws you to graduate study in the field. You may cite sources (in APA or MLA style) where appropriate.

    to be sent to the Graduate Coordinator:

    Dr. Deanna Fassett
    Department of Communication Studies
    San José State University
    San José, CA 95192-0112
    Email: MACommSt@email.sjsu.edu

Please note: Beginning with the Fall 2009 application cycle, our department requires applicants to supply GRE scores.

Students may be admitted in one of two situations:

  1. Classified Standing, or
  2. Conditionally Classified Standing

For Students Admitted Fall 2008 or Earlier
After Admission - Candidacy

After completing a minimum of nine units of graduate work (with at least a B average), students may apply to candidacy for the Master of Arts in Communication Studies. Admission to candidacy requires:

  • Completion of an Approved Program of Study consisting of 30 units in consultation with the Graduate Coordinator and in conformity to university and departmental requirements.
  • Demonstration of competence in written English. Successful completion of COMM 200 satisfies this requirement.

Planning Your Program - Core Requirements

Core Requirements for the Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies include these three courses:

  • Comm 200 Graduate Study in Communication
  • Comm 201 Social-Behavioral Studies in Communication
  • Comm 202 Critical Studies in Communication

All Approved Programs of Study must include Comm 200, Comm 201, and Comm 202.

Planning Your Program - Other Requirements

Students select additional courses, subject to the following requirements, or completion of the M.A. degree:

  1. At least 24 units must be on the 200-level.
  2. At least 18 units must be graded (i.e., A, B, C) work.
  3. At least 21 units must be taken in the Communication Studies Department.
  4. At least 9 units must be taken in seminars in the Communication Studies Department. (Note that the core courses are not considered to be seminars.)

For Students Admitted Fall 2009 and Later

Curricular revisions pending. Contact the Graduate Coordinator at MACommSt@email.sjsu.edu for more information.