2014-2015

Communication, Master of Arts

School of Communication

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

This graduate degree was created to provide students with advanced skills in communication analysis, problem-solving, critical-thinking, research, theoretical application, and written communication.

  • Available Emphasis Areas:
  • Communication Studies - Emphasis (ending Summer 2017)
  • Documentary Studies - Emphasis

  • To receive a master’s degree at Northern Arizona University, you must complete a planned group of courses from one or more subject areas, consisting of at least 30 units of graduate-level courses. Many master’s degree programs require more than 30 units.

    You must additionally complete:

    • All requirements for your specific academic plan(s). This may include a thesis.
    • All graduate work with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
    • All work toward the master's degree must be completed within six consecutive years. The six years begins with the semester and year of admission to the program.

    Read the full policy here.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Minimum Units for Completion 36
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Required
Research Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option.
Some online/blended coursework Required
Progression Plan Link View Program of Study

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • GRE® Revised General Test
    • Three letters of recommendation
    • A writing sample
    • A personal statement or essay
    • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Master's Requirements

  • Take the following 36 units:
    Core requirements (15 units):


    Emphasis Requirements (select one):

    Communication Studies Emphasis (21 units)
    • Select Thesis or Project Option
    Thesis Option
    • COM 699 (6 units). Be aware that you may end up taking more than the 6 units you can count toward your degree because you must enroll each fall and spring semester while you work on your thesis. You must enroll for at least 3 units the semester in which you will graduate, including summer, regardless of the number of units already taken. (6 units)
    • Additional coursework selected with your advisor; this can include, with advisor approval, up to 9 units of coursework outside of Communication and Communication Studies and no more than 6 units of individualized studies as independent studies, directed readings, and research. (15 units)
    Project Option
    • COM 690 (3 units)
    • Additional coursework selected with your advisor; this can include, with advisor approval, up to 9 units of coursework outside of Communication and Communication Studies and no more than 6 units of individualized studies as independent studies, directed readings, and research. (18 units)
  • Documentary Studies Emphasis (21 units)Thesis option
    • COM 699 (6 units). Write a traditional MA thesis on a documentary studies topic. Be aware that you may end up taking more than the 6 units of COM 699 you can count toward your degree because you must enroll for COM 699 each fall and spring semester while you work on your thesis. You must enroll for at least 3 units of COM 699 in the semester in which you will graduate, including summer, regardless of the number of units already taken.
    • Additional coursework chosen in consultation with a graduate faculty advisor. Select elective courses from any graduate program at NAU that will help provide you the research tools, specialization, knowledge, and intercultural understanding for documentary work. Such disciplines could include: anthropology, communication, environmental science, ethnic studies, gender and women’s studies, sociology, among others. (6 units)
    Project option
    • COM 690 (3 units). In consultation with a graduate faculty advisor, prepare field research and a detailed project proposal in the semester previous to your project covering a semester-long documentary field project—this may be done through writing, audio, oral history, photography, digital film, exhibit, or multimedia.
    • Additional coursework chosen in consultation with a graduate faculty advisor. Select elective courses from any graduate program at NAU that will help provide you the research tools, intercultural understanding for documentary work. Such disciplines could include: anthropology, communication, environmental science, ethnic studies, gender and women’s studies, sociology, among others. (9 units)

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.