Graduate Program

Both Master's and Doctoral programs are available in the Department of Communication at the University at Albany.

The Master's program in Communication

The Master’s Degree in Communication enables students with an interest in Communication to achieve a number of professional goals.

First, the program prepares individuals for careers in communication professions within a variety of contexts: political, organizational, interpersonal, intercultural, technology, and health. The program provides opportunities for problem solving and skill development within professional work environments, as well as advanced research experiences guided by faculty mentors.

Second, for those currently holding professional communication positions, the Master’s Degree provides an opportunity for career advancement by further developing analytical, research, and communicative skills for use within team, managerial, and administrative environments.

Finally, the Master’s Degree in Communication also prepares students for study toward the doctoral degree in Communication, either at the University at Albany or at other institutions.

The degree program requires a minimum of 33 credit hours distributed among required courses, communication context specialties, and internship/thesis experience. For the specifics, click here. Our program combines a commitment to core knowledge with the flexibility to pick a particular substantive context of application for emphasis. The Department provides the required courses and coursework addressing particular contexts, but students may also draw on relevant courses from faculty from across the University. Courses are offered in the late afternoon and early evening for the convenience of those who currently work.

For more information about the program, download the MA Student Handbook in PDF or contact either:

Director of Graduate Studies
Professor Tim Stephen
Email: commdgs@albany.edu
(518) 442-4878

or

Chair of the Department of Communication
Professor Teresa Harrison
harrison@cas.albany.edu
(518) 442-4883

The Doctoral program in Communication

The program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to prepare qualified students for college and university teaching and for careers in communication research.  The program emphasizes communication theory, research methods, and the application of knowledge in the field to identify, analyze and propose solutions for communication problems.  The program requires at least three academic years of full-time study and research or the equivalent over a longer period beyond the baccalaureate.

Students entering the program with a Bachelor's degree (having not yet earned a Master's degree) are required to take a minimum of 60 credits, along with successful completion of a qualifying exam and a dissertation.

You can also see a list of current and past doctoral students.