This plan is no longer offered at the Online Campus. See the Campus Availability tab below for alternate plan campus options.
The Documentary Studies and Strategic Communication Emphases are only available in-person at the Flagstaff campus.
The Master of Arts in Communication degree from Northern Arizona University is designed to train students in communication research. Students pursue evidence-based inquiry that investigates the impact that communication choices have on individual and social outcomes through original research and creative projects.
How people communicate with each other influences problems confronting business, government, schools, families, and social relationships. At a time when relationships of all kinds are mediated by technology, good communication is more critical than ever. If you want to advance your understanding of how communication affects finding solutions to complex issues in a complex world, then this Master of Arts in Communication may be for you.
You will work closely with a faculty mentor to design a degree program that meets your professional interests and needs. You'll design, carry out, and present independent research while increasing your skills and expertise in writing, critical thinking, reasoning, presentation and defense of ideas, and research. You'll emerge with the skills and abilities that are expected of communication experts.
The Documentary Studies emphasis prepares students to continue graduate work in filmmaking (such as an MFA) or a PhD in media or cinema studies. It also provides the foundations for students to pursue careers in documentary production (film, audio photography), multimedia and photo-journalism, editing, media production, production house client work, cinematography, among other media-related fields.
The Strategic Communication Emphasis will equip you with the strong communication skills, applied experience and in-depth understanding of consumer/audience behavior needed to achieve strategic communication goals and manage company reputations. The Strategic Communication Emphasis expands on undergraduate studies in public relations and advertising designed to lead to greater leadership opportunities, broader responsibilities and scholarly pursuits in these fields. Jobs related to your degree are available in nonprofit, for-profit and government organizations, academic and entrepreneurial ventures:
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:
Read the full policy here.
In addition to University Requirements:
| Minimum Units for Completion | 36 |
| Additional Admission Requirements | Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required. |
| Emphasis Required | An emphasis is required for this degree. |
| Thesis | Thesis may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Research | Individualized research may be required by chosen emphasis or offered as an option. |
| Progression Plan Link | View Program of Study |
| Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan | Optional |
Purpose Statement
The MA in Communication provides a foundation of the basic research methods, theories, and standards of argument in the academic study of communication. Students explore theories and research in a variety of communicative contexts with an emphasis on the application of concepts, theories, and research to real-world issues. Students will be able to access, understand, evaluate, and apply research, concepts, and theories. Students will engage in original research, creative projects, and the application of existing research, concepts, and theories to specific situations for the purpose of problem-solving and/or evaluation, including effective message design. Students will learn the expectations of academic argument in communication as well as how to effectively communicate their findings to diverse audiences. The MA in Communication will be of relevance to working professionals in a variety of fields, educators, activists, and those preparing to pursue a PhD in Communication, Media Studies, Strategic Communication Studies, Rhetoric, or related disciplines.
MA in Communication (Online)
Students can pursue the MA in Communication fully online, but only the Communication Studies emphasis is available fully online. The online degree offers convenience, flexible schedules, ease of work-life balance, and earning career enhancing credentials while keeping a full-time job.
MA in Communication (Mountain Campus)
Students pursue their degree in residence at Flagstaff’s stunning Mountain campus, enrolling in a mix of select online courses with in-person classes and learning opportunities. Competitive funding is available for some Flagstaff resident students including teaching assistantships and tuition assistance.
Students completing their degree on the Flagstaff Mountain campus choose one of three specialized emphases for their MA degree: Communication Studies, Documentary Studies, or Strategic Communication.
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 Office of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Admission requirements include the following:
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.
Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 36 units:
Research Methods Requirement (3 units)
*It is recommended that students in the Documentary Studies Emphasis select COM 603. It is recommended that students in the Strategic Communication Emphasis select either COM 603 or COM 604.
Emphasis Requirement - Select one (18 - 21 units)
Students complete 18 - 21 units depending on their Thesis or Project option.
Communication Studies Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
No more than 6 units of individualized studies such as independent studies (COM 697 or CST 697), and graduate research (COM 685 or CST 685) are allowed in the student’s coursework.
Documentary Studies Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
Strategic Communication Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
Thesis or Project Option - Select one (3 - 6 units)
A student’s thesis or project must be within the broad boundaries of their chosen emphasis area, as determined by their master’s supervisory committee.
Project Option (3 - 6 units)
Thesis Option (6 units)
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping units:
This program is available as an Accelerated Undergraduate/Graduate Plan wherein a student may start a master's degree while simultaneously completing their bachelor's degree.
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Media Studies Emphasis and start a Master of Arts in Communication - Communication Coursework Emphasis at NAU.
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Documentary Storytelling Emphasis and start a Master of Arts in Communication - Documentary Studies Emphasis at NAU.
OR
Students enrolled at the Flagstaff campus for both undergraduate and graduate programs are eligible to complete the Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication and start a Master of Arts in Communication - Strategic Communication Emphasis at NAU.
Students accepted into the Accelerated Program should complete the following requirements:
Master's Requirements
This Master’s degree requires 36 units distributed as follows:
Take the following 36 units:
Emphasis Requirement - Select the appropriate emphasis area based on your Accelerated Plan (18 - 21 units)
Students complete 18 - 21 units depending on their Thesis or Project option.
Communication Studies Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Communication Coursework Emphasis students participating in the Accelerated option take the following courses:
No more than 6 units of individualized studies such as independent studies (COM 697 or CST 697), and graduate research (COM 685 or CST 685) are allowed in the student’s coursework.
Documentary Studies Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
Strategic Communication Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
*Note: The above three course options should be taken at the 500-level whenever possible; no more than two of the course options may be taken at the 400-level.
Thesis or Project Requirement (3 - 6 units)
All accelerated students will select either the Thesis or Project Option (3 - 6 units).
A student’s thesis or project must be within the broad boundaries of their chosen emphasis area, as determined by their master’s supervisory committee.
Thesis Option (6 units)
Project Option (3 - 6 units)
Students enrolled in this plan may not enroll in or pursue the following due to the number of overlapping 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.