Graduate - Coursework
Graduate College, Catalog, and Course Descriptions | Sample Courses of Study | Advising & Registration | Annual Reviews, Probation & Standing | Non-Thesis Policy
Graduate College, Catalog, Course Descriptions, and Class Schedules
The UIC Graduate College web site has practically all the information needed for perspective and current graduate students.
The UIC Graduate College Catalog has a listing of courses offered and a downloadable PDF of the catalog. Go directly to the Course Descriptions or to the last tab of the Graduate College Catalog from the link above. You can also check out the Schedule of Classes for the times classes meet and in what location.
Sample Courses of Study
The Department has a history of crossing old boundaries that once divided the discipline of Communication. Faculty and students combine interests in media and journalism with interests in speech communication, applying theories and methods of one area to topics in the other. The main strengths of the faculty, in technology, political, visual, and diversity studies, all span the two main fields that once existed separately (speech and media). The graduate programs generally expect students to do the same, achieving broad theoretical knowledge and competence in, for example, quantitative and qualitative research methods. Keep the ideal of cross-cutting boundaries in mind while planning an individual program and choosing courses to take.
M.A. in Communication
The program requires two decisions early on: first a selection of an emphasis either in Media Studies or in Intercultural Communication, which should take place on or before beginning coursework, and second a selection of the thesis or non-thesis option. Thesis writers expect either to pursue doctoral study or to enter research work in industry, government, or non-profit sectors. The non-thesis option affords entry into areas such as managerial work related to communication in the educational, business, government, and non-profit sectors.
For course descriptions see the UIC Course Descriptions for Communication classes.
Example #1--Completing the M.A. degree in two years
First Year
- Fall, take COMM 500 Introduction to Communication Research and one other course (either 502 Seminar in Media Studies or another)
- Spring, take COMM 501 Operationalizing Communication Research and one other course (either 503 Seminar in Intercultural Communication or another)
Second Year
- Fall, take two courses and declare a thesis option (if thesis, start writing proposal)
- Spring, either write the thesis or take two courses and the comprehensive exam
Example #2--Completing the M.A. degree in one and a half years
First Year
- Fall, take COMM 500 Introduction to Communication Research and two more courses (either two or 502 Seminar in Media Studies plus one)
- Spring, take COMM 501 Operationalizing Communication Research and two more courses (either two or 503 Seminar in Intercultural Communication plus one), and declare a thesis option
Second Year
- Fall, either write the thesis or take two courses and comprehensive exam
Ph.D in Communication
The program includes a selective requirement (either COMM 502 Seminar in Media Studies or 503 Seminar in Intercultural Communication) but recommends both for the broadest preparation in the discipline. The two recommended research methods courses may be in the Department (including 594 and 596) or may be outside (and may also help fulfill the expectation of coursework in allied disciplines). For a specialization, select a section of the International Communication Association (ICA) or the National Communication Association (NCA). For guidance about an allied discipline, consult with a faculty member who belongs to that section. Electives in Communication are allied with mediated (534 Mass Communication Theory, 567 Topics in Political Communication), with personal (506 Cross-Cultural Communication, 525 Approaches to Rhetorical Criticism), or with either dimension of communication (505 Organizational Communication, 570 Seminar in Philosophy of Technology, 591 Health Communication, 594 Advanced Special Topics in Communication, 596 Independent Research).
For course descriptions please see the UIC Course Descriptions for Communication classes.
Example #1--Completing the Ph.D. degree in four years (8 credits per semester)
First Year
- Fall, take COMM 504 Communication, Technology, and Society Proseminar and either 500 Introduction to Communication Research or 502 Seminar in Media Studies
- Spring, take COMM 508 New Media of Communication and one of the following: 501 Operationalizing Communication Research, 503 Seminar in Intercultural Communication, 580 Qualitative Methods in Communication
Second Year
- Fall, take either 500 Introduction to Communication Research or 502 Seminar in Media Studies and one elective
- Spring, take one elective and one of the following: 501 Operationalizing Communication Research, 503 Seminar in Intercultural Communication, 580 Qualitative Methods in Communication
Third Year
- Fall, take one elective and one methods course, plan dissertation grants and fellowships
- Spring, take one methods course, the preliminary exam, and dissertation credit
Fourth Year
- Fall & Spring, write the dissertation
Example #2--Completing the Ph.D. degree in three years (12 credits per semester)
First Year
- Fall, take COMM 504 Communication, Technology, and Society Proseminar, 500 Introduction to Communication Research, and 502 Seminar in Media Studies (or an elective)
- Spring, take COMM 508 New Media of Communication, 501 Operationalizing Communication Research, and 580 Qualitative Methods in Communication
Second Year
- Fall, take two electives (or 503 Seminar in Intercultural Communication and one elective), one methods course, and plan dissertation grants and fellowships
- Spring, take one elective, one methods course, and study for the preliminary exam
Third Year
- Fall, take the preliminary exam and dissertation credit
- Spring, complete the dissertation
Student Advising
All students admitted to the Master's program are enrolled in the Graduate College. The Director of Graduate Studies advises all beginning graduate students and any students on limited standing. Students in full standing may transfer to another faculty advisor once their research interests become clear.
The advisor approves all program choices, including courses taken outside the Department. During registration, select courses in consultation with the advisor or the Director of Graduate Studies. Committee members may also make recommendations.
Course Registration
Before registering, students must meet a faculty advisor (who will remove the standard advising hold placed on each student each term). Registration takes place on-line. See the Schedule of Classes.
Students holding assistantships must register for at least 8 credit hours in regular semesters, except international students who must register for 12 credit hours to fulfill visa requirements. Students who receive only a tuition and service fee waiver award must register for 12 credit hours during regular semesters and 6 credit hours during summer term.
Adding or dropping a course is the responsibility of the student in consultation with the advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies. Check the Schedule of Classes for deadlines.
Annual Reviews, Probation & Standing
The Department reviews the progress of its graduate students at the end of every academic year. In some cases, the Department may review a student's progress during each semester. Students who do not show satisfactory progress toward the degree may be dismissed from the program.
Students who receive more than one grade below B in their graduate course work, or four incompletes that have not been made up within the regulatory one term, will be dropped from the program. (More stringent rules are imposed upon limited-standing students.) See the regulations regarding probation in the Graduate Catalog under Enrollment.
Limited Standing
The Department does not as a rule accept students on limited standing. In exceptional cases, a student admitted on limited standing must begin with required courses. Receiving a grade of C in any course while on limited standing is cause for immediate and permanent dismissal from the program.
Performance Checklist
The following is a checklist for students to complete at the end of each semester. Students failing to meet any of the following requirements must meet with a faculty advisor and with the Director of Graduate Studies as soon as possible to avoid jeopardizing progress toward the degree.
- 3.00 GPA, in good standing.
- No incompletes in coursework.
- Registered for two consecutive semesters (may include summer term.)
- Note: No registration needed to defend the thesis.
- Maintained close contact with advisor and Director of Graduate Studies.
- Within the five-year limit as a degree-seeking student. See details.
Non-Thesis Policy
The Non-Thesis Option in the M.A. Program of the Department of Communication requires that candidates for the degree satisfactorily complete a comprehensive examination including a written portion and an oral defense.
Students who elect the non-thesis option must declare their intention when nearing completion of 24 credits of coursework, typically at the end of their first year of studies. Students must be in good standing as defined by the Graduate College.
The student selects an advisor from the faculty to serve as chair of the committee. In consultation with the advisor, the student proposes a program of study to complete coursework and selects two additional committee members, who then review the proposal. Upon receiving approval of the program, the student becomes a candidate in the non-thesis option, and the members form the candidate's M.A. Non-Thesis Examining Committee. The committee conducts all aspects of the examination in mutual consultation.
View and download the Non-Thesis Option Form PDF in a new window.
A. Comprehensive Examination
The examination assesses whether the candidate has reached the learning objectives of the M.A. in Communication program, as well as the goals the student has set for the individual program of study. The exam tests candidates on their overall knowledge of topics within the required courses and within courses for the chosen area(s) of specialization in communication. Each committee member represents a content area and becomes the lead questioner or main reader for that area.
The oral portion of the exam takes place only after successful completion of the written portion. Candidates may retake the written portion of the exam one time only. A candidate who passes two units but not the other must retake only the unit previously failed. A candidate who fails two units must retake the entire exam.
In the orals, candidates may clarify and justify their written answers, and the committee questions candidates about their written responses and about other aspects of the exam. All members of the committee must attend the oral examination, must participate fully in questioning, and must join in the discussion and decision on the results.
Candidates who fail a question twice on the written portion or fail the oral portion will not be allowed to continue in or complete the M.A. in Communication program.
B. Format of the Exam
The written portion of the examination divides into three units corresponding to the content areas the committee selects. The committee will provide a reading list to the candidate normally at least six weeks in advance of the examination.
Each unit will include one or two questions for the candidate to answer during a two-hour exam period. The committee chair will give the unit question(s) to candidates and provide notice of the scheduled time and place for the exam at least two days in advance. Examinations will take place under supervision, usually in a room on campus with a computer for each candidate but with no internet access. The examination committee determines what materials the candidates may bring to each unit of the exam. Appropriate accommodation is available for persons with disabilities.
The three units will last a total of six hours, with units normally spaced out over a period of two to three consecutive weeks. In cases where a candidate establishes to the committee's satisfaction the need to complete the full exam in a shorter period, the committee will provide an equivalent notice and preparation time.
The written exams will assess the candidate's achievement in reaching the core goals of the program, including a grasp of pertinent concepts, knowledge of methods, and skills at writing. Each unit or content area is graded on a pass/fail basis.
C. Examination Scheduling
Candidates who propose to complete the comprehensive examination for the non-thesis option of the degree must notify the Director of Graduate Studies no later than the first week of the semester in which the examination is to take place.
Candidates may withdraw their request for examination up to the last day specified to withdraw from courses with college permission, as published in the official University academic calendar. Within one week of that date, the committee will prepare questions and finalize the examination format.
The oral defense will take place within one week after the candidate completes the third unit of the written exam.
At the end of the oral defense, the candidate will leave the room, the committee will deliberate, and, once the members reach consensus, the chair will invite the candidate to return and will announce the results.
Comprehensive Exam Procedures
The Graduate Program Committee has specified the following procedures governing the administration of comprehensive exams for Masters students who elect the non-thesis option.
- The exam will be scheduled at the end of the spring semester. All three units will be completed no later than the week of final exams.
- The reading list for each of the three units of the exam will be developed by each examiner. The list will reflect texts assigned in the syllabus for the specific course taken by the student, but it may also include additional materials.
- The exams will test students' ability for analytical application (theoretical analysis for Comm. 502 and 503; development of a research plan for Comm. 501 and 502) rather than mere recall of readings, theories, concepts, and methods.
- For each written unit of the exam, the examiner will provide students with a set of problems (scenarios) or questions at least one week before its scheduled date. The exam consists of one of the question/scenarios chosen by the examiner from those provided.
- Students will be informed of their performance on the entire exam--pass or fail--after the conclusion of the oral examination.
- Students who have extenuating circumstances that may prevent them from complying with these procedures or deadlines may petition the Director of Graduate Studies for approval of exemption.
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