Graduate Programs

Master of Arts in Communication

The Master of Arts degree program in Communication is designed to develop the student’s understanding of research methods and communication theory, the ability to conduct basic and applied research, the capacity for critical thinking about communication problems, and the competencies required for service as a professional communicator, teacher, or scholar.

We have an eclectic and engaged group of graduate faculty committed to sharing their experience and insight with their students. The Lowcountry Graduate Center, where our program is housed, is a welcoming environment for students with outstanding classrooms and computer laboratories. Striving for a collaborative experience between student and the faculty, we have established a number of successful learning initiatives, including creative independent-study projects and experiences with communication pedagogy. The graduate program also has a chapter of the College of Charleston Graduate Student Association.

In recent years, our students have presented research to national academic conferences, landed internships with top communication agencies, and have supervised undergraduates (through paid assistantships) in campus offices ranging from Student Media to Institutional Advancement.  Six of our graduates have received funded assistantships in doctoral programs in communication (Purdue/two, LSU, Minnesota, Duquesne, Ohio) over the past five years.

Also, recent graduates have landed significant positions in corporate and agency settings.  For example, members of the Spring 2011 class received positions at IBM in New York, at Forbes in New York, and agencies in Dallas, Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles.

The Department of Communication has 3.5 funded graduate assistant positions, awarded to high-performing students who show promise in research and teaching as well as leadership skills.  Two positions are specifically designed for teaching/research assistance that allow students to work with a faculty mentor and work in a classroom setting.  The communication pedagogy program (Comm 699) is another avenue for high-performing students to engage in classroom and research activity through faculty mentorship.

Applications for Fall 2013 due March 1, 2013

For more information

Vince Benigni
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Communication
7 College Way
E-mail: benigniv@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.7019
Fax: 843.953.7037

Graduate School Office
The Graduate School of the College of Charleston
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424-0001
E-mail: gradsch@cofc.edu
Phone: 843.953.5614

Mailing Address
College of Charleston
Department of Communication
66 George Street
Charleston, SC 29424-0001