M.A./M.B.A. Dual Degree Program

The School of Communication Studies and Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship also offer a dual-degree program providing students with an opportunity to obtain two degrees at once: a Master of Arts in communication studies (MA) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA). 

This unique program is particularly attractive for managers, professionals and Bachelor of Arts students looking to enhance their communication skills to influence business in emerging global markets, while also developing skills to augment their own professional careers.

Graduate Assistantships

The School of Communication Studies awards graduate assistantships every academic year to highly qualified graduate student applicants. Awards for students include a nine-month stipend (fall and spring semesters) and a waiver of resident and out-of-state tuition. Graduate assistants can enroll in a subsidized health insurance program through the university. Students with graduate assistantships are also eligible to teach during the summer sessions. These summer appointments provide free tuition for 4 credits of study in addition to a stipend.

Communication Studies - M.A.

The Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies provides a broad spectrum of knowledge about human communication in various social contexts, and the ways in which information is produced and processed. The program prepares individuals to pursue a doctorate degree, as well as for non-academic careers in which a broad understanding of communication theory and research is desirable. Read more...

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Program Information for Communication Studies - M.A.

Program Description

Full Description

The Master of Arts degree in Communication Studies is intended to provide a broad spectrum of knowledge about human communication in various social contexts, and the ways in which information is produced and processed. Curriculum focus is on the social and behavioral study of communication theory and research. The program prepares individuals to pursue a doctorate degree, as well as for non-academic careers in which a broad understanding of communication theory and research is desirable.

Admissions

For more information about graduate admissions, visit the graduate admission website. For more information on international admissions, visit the international admission website.

Admission Requirements

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
  • Minimum 2.750 undergraduate GPA on a 4.000-point scale
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Goal statement
  • Sample of scholarly writing
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • English language proficiency - all international students must provide proof of English language proficiency (unless they meet specific exceptions to waive) by earning one of the following: 1
    • Minimum 94 TOEFL iBT score
    • Minimum 7.0 IELTS score
    • Minimum 65 PTE score
    • Minimum 120 DET score

Starting with the spring 2025 admission term, minimum English language proficiency scores will be the following:

  • Minimum 79 TOEFL iBT score
  • Minimum 6.5 IELTS score
  • Minimum 58 PTE score
  • Minimum 110 DET score
1

International applicants who do not meet the above test scores may be considered for conditional admission.

Application Deadlines

  • Fall Semester
    • Application deadline: April 15
  • Spring Semester
    • Application deadline: November 15

Applications submitted after these deadlines will be considered on a space-available basis.

Learning Outcomes

Program Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the program will be able to:

  1. Read, critique and engage in theory-based research involving a broad spectrum of topics in human communication.
  2. Understand and master appropriate methodological skills for the study of human communication and apply them to relevant and shifting real-world contexts that often include newer communication technologies.
  3. Utilize theory-based and state-of-the-art knowledge to stimulate and improve communication processes in educational, business and nonprofit environments.
Dual Degree

Dual Degree with Master of Business Administration

Students have the opportunity to complete a dual degree program with the M.A. degree in Communication Studies and the M.B.A. degree in Business Administration. A separate application must be submitted for each program. Students can view admission requirements for each program on their respective catalog page.

The dual M.A./M.B.A. degree program is designed for students and professionals whose career goals focus on communication, particularly global communication, and provides direction and leadership in economic and business development processes.

Dual Degree Requirements

Major Requirements
ACCT 63037FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING 2
ACCT 63038MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING FOR DECISION MAKING 2
BA 64005ANALYTICS FOR DECISION MAKING 2
or COMM 65020 QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION
BA 64026SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT 2
CIS 64042GLOBALIZATION AND TECHNOLOGY STRATEGY 2
COMM 65000FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY 3
COMM 65652THEORIES OF COMMUNICATION 3
COMM 65851ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION 3
ECON 62021MACROECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT OF BUSINESS 2
ECON 62022MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS 2
FIN 66050LAW AND ETHICS 2
FIN 66060MANAGERIAL FINANCE 2
HRM 64271HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2
MGMT 68051BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT I 1
MKTG 65051MARKETING MANAGEMENT 2
Business Electives6-7
Communication Studies (COMM) Electives 112-15
Culmininating Requirement
MGMT 64399BUSINESS STRATEGY 3
Choose from the following: 13-6
COMM 60199
THESIS I
COMM 61198
MASTERS PROJECT IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
COMM 64092
MASTERS INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Coursework
Minimum Total Credit Hours:60
Coursework
On This Page

Program Requirements

Major Requirements

Major Requirements
CCI 61000QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION 3
or CCI 62000 QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS IN COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
COMM 65000FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION AND ADVOCACY 3
COMM 65652THEORIES OF COMMUNICATION 3
Communication Studies (COMM) Graduate Electives (50000 or 60000 level) 115-18
Culminating Requirement
Choose from the following:3-6
COMM 60199
THESIS I
COMM 61198
MASTERS PROJECT IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
COMM 64092
MASTERS INTERNSHIP IN COMMUNICATION STUDIES
Coursework-Only Option
Minimum Total Credit Hours:30
1

A minimum 9 credit hours must be at the 60000 level. A maximum 6 credit hours may be taken from courses outside of the School of Communication Studies. A maximum 4 credit hours of workshop coursework may be taken. Some examples of routinely offered electives include COMM 65070, COMM 65662, COMM 65686, COMM 65851 and COMM 66501.

Graduation Requirements 

Minimum Major GPA Minimum Overall GPA
- 3.000
  • No more than one-half of a graduate student’s coursework may be taken in 50000-level courses.
  • Grades below C are not counted toward completion of requirements for the degree.
Program Delivery
  • Delivery:
    • In person
  • Location:
    • Kent Campus

Examples of Possible Careers and Salaries for Communication Studies - M.A.

Communications teachers, postsecondary

3.2%

about as fast as the average

35,600

number of jobs

$71,030

potential earnings

Market research analysts and marketing specialists

17.7%

much faster than the average

738,100

number of jobs

$65,810

potential earnings

Public relations and fundraising managers

9.2%

much faster than the average

88,000

number of jobs

$118,430

potential earnings

Notice: Career Information Source
* Source of occupation titles and labor data comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Outlook Handbook. Data comprises projected percent change in employment over the next 10 years; nation-wide employment numbers; and the yearly median wage at which half of the workers in the occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less.
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Written and oral communication skills are essential to the practice of law. This makes Communication Studies an excellent major for law school-bound students. At Kent State University choosing Communication Studies as your pre-law major will give you both a skillset you need to succeed — and low-cost, fast-track pathways to well-respected law schools in the Northeast Ohio region:

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A career in advocacy had always been a dream of Kent State Alumnus Adam Schroeder, from a young age. Now, Adam is living that dream as a Digital Communications Associate at the American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana. Growing up, Adam had always been interested in current events and passionate about civic engagement. He kept up with the news and would watch his parents vote on different issues.

Megan Carrasco, '16

Megan Carrasco, '16 | Judicial Law Clerk, Arizona Supreme Court

Megan Carrasco's journey to law school, and now as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Arizona Supreme Court, began at Kent State University with her major in Communication Studies.  “Law is very much communication based; you never have to do just one thing in law,” Carrasco said. After graduating in 2016, Carrasco, an Honors student, who minored in Public Relations and Spanish, spent time working and thinking about what she truly wanted to do before going back to graduate school.

JaRel Clay, '11

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Victoria Humphreys, '13

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