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    Oct 12, 2024  
American University Catalog 2023-2024 
    
American University Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Communication: Journalism and Public Affairs (MA)


Offered by the School of Communication .

Admission to the Program


Applicants must meet the minimum university requirements for graduate study. Admission to the program requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with at least a 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) grade point average in last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework. International students whose first language is not English should take the TOEFL or IELTS examination to demonstrate proficiency in English.

Previous professional or campus experience in communication is useful but not required. However, all applicants are required to show evidence of professional commitment and career direction related to the specialization and track they choose. Official transcripts, two letters of recommendation, and a 1,000-word essay on the applicant’s commitment to pursuing graduate study in the program are submitted with the application. If available, samples of published professional or college news writing, scripts, or tapes should also be submitted.

A limited number of graduate fellowships and assistantships are awarded on the basis of merit as well as school and program needs.

Admission to the program is for the fall semester. Students are generally expected to complete the program in ten months.

Qualified undergraduate students may apply to a combined bachelor’s/master’s program and utilize up to six credit hours of 500-level or select 600-level cross-listed coursework to satisfy the requirements of both degrees.

Degree Requirements


Course Requirements


Boot Camp (3 credit hours)


Complete 3 credit hours from the following with grade of B or better:

Specialization (9 credit hours)


Complete 9 credit hours from one of the following specializations:

Capstone (3 credit hours)


Complete 3 credit hours from the following with grade of B or better: