Degree Title: Master of Arts
Program Name and Number: Communication & Development - MA4218
Department/Unit: Center for International Studies
Delivery Mode: Athens Campus
Program Mission: The Communication and Development Studies master’s degree program emphasizes the use of communication to promote positive social change.
Program Learning Objectives:
- Knowledge of contemporary topics and issues in the field of communication and social change
- Media production techniques
- Facility with one or more research methods
- Comprehension of key theories related to the field of communication and development
- Critical thinking skills
Program Overview: The Communication and Development Studies program is a unique and internationally recognized program. It has been identified by major development organizations as one of the few world centers for education in communication for development and social change, and the Comm Dev program is one of only two stand-alone master’s degree programs in the United States that exclusively focuses on communication for social change. Incoming cohorts average around 15 students, yet the program has an exceptionally diverse international student population. Approximately three-quarters of the students in a given incoming cohort come from outside the United States – from countries throughout the entire world. Comm Dev graduates tend to pursue professional careers working for international NGOs, non-profit organizations in the U.S., government agencies, and as consultants. Many also seek careers as teachers and in higher education. Recently, approximately half of any given graduating class has gone on to enroll in a PhD program.
Concentrations: As an interdisciplinary program, Comm Dev students build upon core courses taken during their first year in the program by then devising a curriculum that suits their individual objectives, drawing upon courses across graduate programs at Ohio University
Link to Program: http://www.commdev.ohio.edu
Graduation Requirements: Requirements somewhat vary by capstone track, though all students are required to take the program’s core courses and complete a capstone requirement (either a thesis, professional project, or comprehensive exam). The minimum number of semester hours required to graduate is 48. The expected time to degree if studying fulltime is two years.
Admission Requirements: Aside from the university minimum of a 4-year bachelors degree and a TOEFL of 80+ for non-native English speakers, applicants are required to submit a personal statement and three letters of recommendation.