Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication

Total Credit Hours: 30          Degree Format: Traditional

Valdosta State University's Master of Arts in Communication (M.A.I.C.) prepares individuals who seek to advance their careers, teach in a junior college setting, or seek a Ph.D. The program's design accommodates the shifting landscape of constant change in all areas of life through the program's core, which provides the foundation necessary for converting knowledge to practice. At the center of our mission is currency in the field of communication. Our flexible program adapts to changing technological and economic environments and needs and interests of current and future students. 

Program Coordinator: Dr. Arrington Stoll, email: astoll@valdosta.edu, phone: 229-333-7141

Department of Communication Arts Page

Admission Deadlines

• Fall Semester: July 15
• Spring Semester: November 15
• Summer Semester: April 15

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

Online Graduate Application

• Application Fee (credit or debit card and e-checks accepted)
• Apply Online

Official transcript from your bachelor’s degree-granting school and from any graduate coursework.

• Transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at VSU will be obtained by the Graduate School
• Prospective students who do not hold a BA or BFA in Speech Communication, Communication Studies, Mass Media or other appropriate field need to be familiar with speech and media theories and their pragmatic application. Please feel free to contact the graduate coordinator for a reading list that prospective students should be acquainted with if they are considering applying.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 Scale in the last 60 hours of undergraduate studies. GPA calculation will include all attempted courses completed in last 60 hours.

Career Goal Statement

• Describe in approximately 500 words your main interests, why you wish to study for the degree you have chosen, why you wish to study at Valdosta State University, and your plans for the future after you receive your degree. 

Writing Sample

• Include a sample of strong academic writing (no more than ten pages) which should be uploaded directly to the Self-Service portal of the online application (or emailed to gradschool@valdosta.edu).  The applicant may also include with their writing sample links to up to 3 web-based creative works. 

Resume

• Please include a resume (no more than two pages) that highlights all of your major academic and professional experiences and accomplishments. 

Three Recommendations

• General Recommendation Form Required
• Please enter the name and email of your recommenders as you complete the application. They should receive an email inviting them to complete the recommendation after that. If they do not receive the emai (or find it in their spam folder), they may submit their recommendation as an email attachment to gradschool@valdosta.edu. The General Recommendation Form can be used if the email from the online recommendation system does not arrive.
• Recommendations should be completed by professionals acquainted with your academic and/or vocational background or interests. These must reflect your ability interest, and motivation to be successful in the program of study and career field.
• Letters must be accompanied by the required form or submitteed through the online recommendation system.

VSU Medical Form

• The VSU Medical Form must be completed and signed by the student/applicant.
• This form must be received prior to enrollment, NOT prior to admission.
• Applicants who are currently enrolled, and those who attended VSU in the past, are not required to resubmit the Medical Form

Verification of Lawful Presence

• This is not required for individuals who do not qualify for in-state tuition or a residency waiver.
• This must be received prior to enrollment (if applicable), NOT prior to admission.
• Citizenship documentation is needed for any applicant who wishes to be considered for in-state tuition.
• Complete list of accepted documents and information on residency.

Unless otherwise indicated above, all required documents must be received on or before the admission deadline for your file to be reviewed. It is the applicant's responsibility to allow adequate time for document delivery and to en-sure receipt of documents. Please allow at least 7-10 days for delivery by mail.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS 

International applicants must meet all admission criteria and documentation requirements as defined by the program, however, additional documentation may be required.  Please review the information below for specific information and guidelines.

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Exam, International English Language Testing System (IELTS), completion of Level 6 at VSU's English Language Institute with a B average or better, or proof of having completed ELS Language Centers' Level 109 – Applicants whose first language is not English (based on country of citizenship) must submit official scores on the TOEFL exam, IELTS exam, or successful completion of the language proficiency requirements as outlined in the catalog. International applicants whose first language is not English but who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a U.S. institution may be exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.  The minimum acceptable score on the IELTS is 6.0. Minimum acceptable scores on the TOEFL are:
  • 523 on the paper-based test
  • 193 on the computer-based test
  • 70 on the Internet-based test.
• Certificate of Finances- The Certificate of Finance is required of any applicant requiring a student visa to enter the United States to complete his or her studies. This document is considered a part of the application for admission and applications will not be reviewed without this document.  Applicants who do not require an I-20 student visa to complete their studies are exempt from this requirement.
• Evaluation of International Transcripts - Applicants who have completed coursework at an institution outside of the United States must submit a course-by-course evaluation of the coursework.  This transcript evaluation must be completed by an international education credentials evaluation service such as Josef Silny, ECE, etc.  The transcript evaluation does not replace the transcript requirement. Official transcripts are still required.
• Applications need to account for the time required to secure their student Visa. If the Visa cannot be attained before the start of the intended semester, they will be required to defer to the next semester.

IMPORTANT PROGRAM INFORMATION

• M.A. Communication Arts Program Retention, Dismissal, and Readmission Policies

ADMISSION CLASSIFICATIONS

• Students can have regular or probationary status upon admission
  • Probationary Admission - Applicants who do not have a GRE verbal score of 150 or higher, quantitative score of 141 or higher, combined MAT score of 350, or a grade-point average of 3.0 of higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework may be considered for admission as a probationary student if they have at least a 3.0 on the analytical section of the GRE.
  • If admitted under probationary status a student must complete the following requirements to be eligible to be changed for regular status: A grade point average of 3.0 upon completion of 9 hours of graduate coursework.

HAVE QUESTIONS?

• Call Us: 229-333-5694 
• Email Us: gradschool@valdosta.edu 
• Visit Us: Converse Hall (Main Campus), Third Floor, Suite 3100

Graduation Requirements

1. Students must complete an application for graduation one semester prior to their expected graduation date;
2. A 3.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) is required for graduation. No grade below a “C” will be credited toward the degree.
3. Students must successfully complete comprehensive examinations (if they select the non-thesis option) or successfully complete their thesis.

Retention, Dismissal, & Readmission Policies

1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all graduate courses;

2.  Earning grades below “B” in graduate courses will result in the following consequences: Students admitted Fall 2011 and thereafter will be dismissed from the Graduate School if they accumulate three or more academic deficiency points unless otherwise indicated by individual program policy. A grade of “C” (although it may be credited toward a degree) equals one deficiency point. A grade of “D,” “WF” or “F,” or “U” (none of which will be credited toward a degree) equals two deficiency points. Candidates admitted BEFORE Fall 2011 and receiving two grades below “C” (“D”, “F”, “WF”,“U”) will be dismissed from the program. One grade below a "C" results in a warning. 

3. If dismissed from the program, the student must wait a minimum of two semesters and obtain approval from the academic department, before applying for readmission. The academic program reserves the right to place specific conditions and contingencies on any offer of readmission. Readmission is not guaranteed and prior academic performance and conduct in the program will be considered. 

4. The maximum time allowed for completion of the master’s degree is seven calendar years. After admission, courses taken more than seven years prior to the semester of degree completion cannot be used to meet graduate degree requirements.
   

5.  No more than 6 semester hours of academic work may be transferred from another institution into a master’s-level graduate program. This credit must be documented in the form of an official transcript at the time of admission. Transfer credit will be evaluated after admission by the academic department. To be eligible, credit must be no more than seven years old at the time of admission unless otherwise approved by the program.

6. Students are permitted two attempts to complete the comprehensive exams.  Students who fail to successfully complete the comprehensive exam after two attempts will be dismissed from the program.