Communication Studies
Accelerated Graduate Program
WHAT IS THE ACCELERATED DEGREE?
The accelerated graduate program allows undergraduate students to take graduate coursework and use that credit for both their undergraduate degree and their graduate degree, saving them time and money. Students who enroll in our accelerated program:
- gain early admission to the graduate program while still an undergraduate
- complete a Master’s degree in 3 semesters rather than the typical two-year (4-semester) program
- gain full admission status to the graduate program upon completing the bachelor’s degree
- pay undergraduate costs for graduate level work
WHY CHOOSE THE ACCELERATED PROGRAM?
Students in the accelerated program:
- pay undergraduate tuition and fees while taking graduate classes (one semester)
- finish the master’s degree quicker
- gain a wide range of critical thinking and communication skills that increase marketability in any communication career!
- start careers earlier with higher pay; students with MA degrees earn a weekly median average of $224 MORE than graduates with only a bachelor’s degree (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Students must meet the following criteria to apply for the accelerated program:
- Be an undergraduate major in Communication Studies, Health Communication, Public Relations, or TV & Video Production
- Have completed 60 semester hours of undergraduate work, 15 hours of which must be from one of the above undergraduate majors
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.25
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Once admitted to the program, students may select up to 9 hours of credit from the following shared courses:
- CMN 4755 Television Genres. Credits: 3
- CMN 4765 Communication in Families. Credits: 3
- CMN 4770 Television Criticism. Credits: 3
- CMN 4775 Documentary Filmmaking. Credits: 3
- CMN 4820 Political Communication. Credits: 3
- CMN 4900 Advanced Topics in CMN. Credits: 3
- CMN 4919 PR Campaigns. Credits: 3
- CMN 4920 PR Case Studies. Credits: 3
- CMN 4921 Seminar in PR. Credits: 2
- CMN 4950 Workplace Relationships. Credits: 4
- CMN 5260 Science and Technical Communication. Credits: 3
- HCM 4910 Applied Health Education. Credits: 3
- HCM 4950 Special Topics in HCM. Credits: 3
HOW DO I APPLY?
Students should consult with their undergraduate advisor before applying to the accelerated program.
- Start the application process here.
- Upon acceptance to the program, students must complete this shared course request form with assistance from the program's graduate coordinator.
WANT TO GET STARTED?
CONTACT:
Dr. Angela Jacobs
Graduate Coordinator
asjacobs@eiu.edu
(217) 581-2020
