EIU Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Online Option: Communication and Leadership

The online option in Communication and Leadership targets working professionals, especially individuals aspiring to leadership roles in their current professions. Effective leadership often depends on effective communication. The online Communication and Leadership option helps students enhance their marketability in today's professional environment through the integration of theory and practice and the development of organizational communication and leadership skills. Some of the skills students will acquire through the online MA program include: Written communication skills, the ability to think critically and create persuasive messages, the ability to gather information, work in teams, problem-solve, and summarize and present information.

We provide a flexible program for working students and students seeking employment in the following types of careers:

• Teaching at two-year and four-year institutions
• Teaching dual-credit courses at the high school level
• Non-profit and civic management/leadership
• Human resource management
• Director of Public Relations
• Public Relations Coordinator
• Public Information Officer
• Marketing Communication Coordinator
• Communication Specialist
• Digital Media Specialist
• Social Media Coordinator
• Other executive-level positions in Communication

The online option for the M.A. in Communication studies is a two-year program that requires 33 semester hours of course work. Students will take 2 courses (6 semester hours) during the summer, fall and spring semesters over a two-year period (with the exception of the second summer semester in which they will take 3 hours). Students who require a different pace can take just one course per semester--the choice is up to the student! You can start in fall, spring, or summer terms.

Our online courses are taught by Communication Studies faculty at EIU.

Our students represent a wide variety of backgrounds. Many students have undergraduate degrees in Communication, but we also have students with degrees such as History, Sociology, Psychology, Economics, English, Journalism, Political Science, and General Studies. Our students are diverse in terms of gender, race, ethnicity, ideology, and class.

Requirements

 Application Process:

• Admission to EIU graduate school
• Complete departmental application to include:
  • Statement of goals explaining why student wants a master’s degree in Communication Studies from EIU
  • A writing sample demonstrating preparation for graduate level writing
  • A resume outlining relevant work or academic experience
  • 3 letters of recommendation

 Minimum Admission Criteria:

• Applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree
• A 3.0 overall GPA is required for admission to the program.
• Students admitted to the Graduate School under provisional status may be admitted to the program with a 3.00 or higher GPA in at least 12 hours of graduate study. 

Rolling Admissions:

The online program will use rolling admissions procedures to provide flexibility to students and also allow for fewer course offerings per semester than would a cohort schedule.

Course Offerings

Students select 11 courses from the following:

CMN5020       Communication Theory. Credits: 3

CMN5040       Communication Research. Credits: 3

CMN5015       Communication Ethics. Credits: 3

CMN5150        Seminar in Interpersonal Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5190       Leadership Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5240       Communication Pedagogy. Credits: 3 

CMN5510       Interpersonal Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5520       Social Interaction. Credits: 3

CMN5530       Intercultural Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5550       Special Topics in Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5650       Digital Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5710       Organizational Communication. Credits: 3

CMN5720       Seminar in Public Relations. Credits: 3

CMN5740       Small Group and Team Communication. Credits: 3

Total Semester Hours: 33 semester hours

*Major GPA based on all Communication Studies courses taken at EIU.

**The minimum major GPA required for graduation is 3.0.