Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Communication, Master of Arts


Academic Information

Available Emphasis Areas:

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.

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Communication, Master of Arts


Careers

What Can I Do with a Master of Arts in Communication?

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:

Career opportunities that might be pursued:
  • Community College faculty
  • Advocacy
  • Communication director
  • Community education
  • Human resources
  • Legislative assistant
  • Lobbyist
  • Management training
  • Non-profit work
  • Public relations
  • Religious leadership
  • Technical communication
  • Hospital public information officer
  • Public relations professional
  • Speech writer
  • Internal communications manager
  • Market research analyst
  • Advertising Account Management
  • Client Services
  • Marketing Communication 
  • Digital and Social Media Advertising
  • Copywriting/Graphic Design 
  • Public Relations Reputation Management/Media Relations
  • Crisis Communication
  • Social Media/Content Management
  • Public Affairs 
  • Professional Sports Communication Promotion/Events
  • Market Research
  • Documentary producer, filmmaking, photographer
  • Editor
  • Podcast Producer
  • Archival Researcher
  • Multimedia journalism
  • Media producer
  • Photojournalist
  • Production house work with clients

With further education, one of these paths is possible:
  • Attorney
  • University faculty 
  • Cinematography/Directior of Photography
  • Viual anthropologist

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Communication, Master of Arts


University Requirements

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Communication, Master of Arts


Overview

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, 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 Communication Studies Emphasis
The Communication Studies emphasis provides a broad foundation in the academic study of communication and the application of communication theories and research to real-world situations and problems while also allowing students to create a program of study designed to fit their interests and goals. The emphasis includes a large list of elective courses within communication, enabling students to craft a mix of courses that can constitute either a focused subspecialty or a broad cross-section of the field. The program is well suited for working professionals seeking advancement; students desiring employment in profit, nonprofit, or governmental institutions; and those who wish to pursue a PhD in communication or related disciplines.
 
The Documentary Studies Emphasis
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, and documentary work, as well as preparation for PhD programs in cinema and media studies.
 
The Strategic Communication Emphasis
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
Communication Studies Emphasis Learning Outcomes
 
Documentary Studies Emphasis
 
Strategic Communication Emphasis

More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Communication, Master of Arts


Details

Graduate Admission Information
Additional Admission Requirements
Master's Requirements
Accelerated Bachelor's to Master's Program
Additional Information
More Information

Academic Catalog - 2024-2025

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

Communication

Communication, Master of Arts


Campus Availability

More Information