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 or Coursework Required | An emphasis or coursework 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. The online degree offers convenience, flexible schedules, ease of work-life balance, and earning career enhancing credentials while keeping a full-time job. There is no emphasis option currently available for our online degree program.
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 have the option of adding a specialized emphasis to their MA degree. Please note that an emphasis is not required. There are two emphasis options: Documentary Studies and Strategic Communication.
The Documentary Studies emphasis provides a solid grounding in the theoretical, critical, and practical traditions that inform documentary work. NAU is set in the midst of the striking and diverse Southwest. With its manifold Native American communities, environmental issues, and high desert landscapes, NAU’s Colorado Plateau setting provides a rich palette for the next generation of documentary storytellers. Students engage in intensive research and fieldwork, professional production skills in storytelling, and learn to critically analyze media in terms of both content and craft. Particular attention is given to the role of documentary as social critique and bringing untold, under-reported, and under-represented issues and peoples into the public eye. The program is ideally suited to prepare students for today's world of cutting-edge multimedia journalism, documentary work, as well as preparation for PhD programs in cinema and media studies.
The Strategic Communication emphasis provides a rigorous understanding of social media, crisis communication, public opinion, audience measurement, and consumer behavior in the digital age. The diverse range of faculty experts will engage with students to explore theory, practice, and application of concepts in advertising and public relations with a focus on quantitative methods. The emphasis is designed to build leadership skills needed to achieve strategic communication goals and manage company reputations. Students will elevate their essential skills in social media management, audience engagement, crisis communication, and public sector communication via project-based learning. The program is suited for students who plan to practice advertising and public relations in any number of industries and those students who plan to continue on to doctoral studies in communication, social media, or other strategic communication arenas.
Student Learning Outcomes
Core Communication Outcomes
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:
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:
Core Requirements (12 units)
Communication Electives or Emphasis Requirements - Select one (18 - 21 units)
Documentary Studies Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
Thesis or Project Option - Select one(3 - 6 units)
Project Option (3 - 6 units)
Thesis Option (6 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.
While completing the Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Media Studies Emphasis, students can start a Master of Arts in Communication - Communication Coursework Emphasis at NAU.
OR
While completing the Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Documentary Storytelling Emphasis, students can start a Master of Arts in Communication - Documentary Studies Emphasis at NAU.
OR
While completing the Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication, students can 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:
Communication Elective Coursework (18 - 21 units)
Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Media Studies Emphasis students participating in the Accelerated option take the following courses:
Documentary Studies Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
Bachelor of Science in Creative Media and Film - Documentary Storytelling Emphasis students participating in the Accelerated option take the following courses:
Strategic Communication Emphasis (18 - 21 units)
Offered in-person at the Flagstaff campus; not currently offered online.
Bachelor of Science in Strategic Communication students participating in the Accelerated option take the following courses:
*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)
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.