VSU Offers Master's Degree in Communication Arts

VALDOSTA - During fall semester 2009, a cohort of students will become the first to work toward a Master of Communication Arts at Valdosta State University.

The new option will place VSU among the ranks of the University of Georgia and Georgia State University as only the third in the University System of Georgia to offer such a degree. It was established to address the needs of those in communication-related fields through offering graduate level education. Georgia Department of Labor studies have shown an anticipated opening of 360-450 jobs per year in communication-related categories just for VSU's 41-county service area.

To qualify for admission, students must hold a bachelor's degree in communication or a related field with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and a score of 1000 or higher on the Graduate Record Examination. All will take 12 core hours before choosing a specialty track of media or speech communication. The program will be grounded in research and theory in order to prepare students for doctoral studies, teaching or professional careers in a variety of related areas.

"I am pleased the university will be able to offer a program to meet the critical need for communication-related careers," said Dr. Carl Cates, professor and department head for communication arts. "I look forward to recruiting our inaugural group of students."

Call VSU's Department of Communication Arts at (229) 333-5820 for more information about the new graduate degree program.