Master of Arts in Professional Communication
Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences: R. Tulley
Chair, Department of Media and Communication: Medjesky
Director: Adams
Professor: Montague
Associate Professors: Adams, Medjesky
Assistant Professor: Wang
Instructor of Teaching: Davis
Mission and Goals of the Program
The Master of Arts in Professional Communication degree develops student communication ability through listening, oral, written and digital communication skills in order to equip current and future professionals in business, health care leadership or non-profit organizations with tools crucial for ongoing professional development.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Compose effective and responsible texts for oral presentations, written communication, traditional media, and digital media.
- Explain and critique the theoretical tradition and disciplinary texts and authors/theorists that shape the field of professional communication and apply this knowledge to make informed decisions about practical application of these principles.
- Analyze the impact of technology on professional communication, both historically and in contemporary practice, and use these trends to make informed decisions about practical application of these principles.
- Apply collaborative communication theory to organizational and interpersonal processes and within professional communication environments.
- Plan and conduct sustained research that answers questions about communication processes in organizations and the people within organizations.
- Assess the impact of specific technologies upon professional communication and make informed choices about the most effective mode{s) of communication when completing projects.
- Analyze professional communication in a field or industry and apply best practices of professional communication to compose texts and improve communication processes in that field or industry.
Admissions Requirements
To be considered for admission, candidates must:
- Submit an application form.
- Submit official transcripts, which can be in the form of attested credentials from a University-recognized document verification agency, of all college-level work. Transcripts should show the candidate possesses a baccalaureate degree from a University-recognized accredited institution, except for first-professional doctorate-degree holders, specifically when no baccalaureate degree was offered (e .g., PharmD, etc.). Students should have a minimum cumulative undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale or have a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from a previous master's degree. This includes classes from all institutions attended. Students who have a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate or graduate grade point average may be considered for conditional admission, but must attain a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in the first nine hours of the Master of Arts in Professional Communication (MAPC} program to be fully admitted.
Students, whose native language is not English and who have not graduated from a University of Findlay approved English speaking university, must meet the previously listed admission conditions plus the following for full admission:
- Must have a verified international English Language Testing System (IELTS) of 7 composite score with all bands at 6.5 or above, or an equivalent score as indicated on the University of Findlay's English Exam Admission Standards. Full admission is dependent on satisfying all admission requirements.
- Provide an affidavit of financial support (original), if not an American citizen or permanent resident.
Those applicants who do not meet full admission criteria or cannot supply a verifiable English score from one of the approved tests as listed above can receive conditional admission. Upon arrival, these students are required to test in the Intensive English Language Program, and if necessary, complete coursework in English as indicated by the University of Findlay's placement exam score before starting their graduate work.
Additionally, if the applicant supplies a non-U.S. school transcript the University's Office of International Admissions and Services may require additional specific documentation. Contact the Office of International Admissions at 800-472-9502 ext. 4558 or https://www.findlay.edu/admissions/international/.
The MAPC program will allow up to 6 credit hours of transfer credit if the equivalent graduate coursework is taken at another accredited institution. COMM 594 and COMM 600 may not be transferred. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the MAPC program.
Degree Requirements
The Master of Arts in Professional Communication (MAPC) degree at The University of Findlay is designed to develop student communication ability through listening, oral, written and digital communication skills at an advanced level. Fully admitted students complete eight core courses and nine elective hours from one of the interdisciplinary sequences which are designed to allow students to apply their knowledge of professional communication to specific industries and skill sets. The degree includes a repeatable thesis or capstone course with a minimum three credit hours and a maximum of six credit hours. Students must complete the curriculum within seven years, though the program is designed to be completed within two years.
Students wishing to complete the MAPC fully online should consult with their academic advisor since not all interdisciplinary sequences are available in an online format.
The Master of Arts in Professional Communication degree requirements include:
| COMM 500 | Introduction to Professional Communication | 3 |
| COMM 501 | Ethical Development and Promotion of Organizational Culture | 3 |
| COMM 502 | Persuasion and Public Opinion | 3 |
| COMM 503 | Strategic Communication in the Digital Age | 3 |
| COMM 504 | Digital Media and Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| COMM 505 | Communication Research Methods and Data Collection | 3 |
| COMM 506 | Leadership and Training in Organizations and Digital Spaces | 3 |
| COMM 600 | Capstone/Thesis | 1 to 6 |
COMM 600 must be taken for at minimum three credit hours.
COMM 600 is repeatable up to six credit hours, but only three credit hours may count towards degree completion.
and nine hours from one of the following interdisciplinary sequences:
Applied Linguistics
and 6 credit hours from the following:
Educational Technology
| EDFI 560 | Technology Integration | 3 |
| EDFI 565 | Curriculum and Instruction for Online Learners | 3 |
| EDFI 570 | Assessment and Data-Driven Decisions for Online Learners | 3 |
Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Management Communication
| ENVM 520 | Public Policy and Communication | 3 |
| ENVM 525 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 |
| ENVM 625 | Project Management and Planning | 3 |
Human Resource Management
| MBA 610 | Leadership and Organizational Behavior | 3 |
| MBA 620 | Management of Human Resources | 3 |
| MBA 624 | Organizational and Human Resource Development | 3 |
Leadership
and 6 credit hours from the following:
| EDSP 630 | The Leader: Facilitator of Innovation and Strategic Management | 3 |
| EDUC 541 | Educational Leader as a Change Agent | 3 |
| EDUC 650 | Increasing Effectiveness through Principle-Centered Leadership | 3 |
Marketing
| MBA 630 | Marketing Management and Planning | 3 |
| MBA 634 | Seminar in Marketing and Promotion | 3 |
| MBA 662 | International Marketing | 3 |
Media and Communication
| COMM 507 | Media Criticism | 3 |
| COMM 508 | Global Media and lntercultural Communication | 3 |
| COMM 550 | Topics in Communication Studies | 3 |
| COMM 555 | Emerging Topics in Digital Media, Media Studies and Cultural Studies | 3 |
| COMM 594 | Training in Communication Education | 1 |
COMM 594 is repeatable and up to three credit hours may count towards completion of the Media and Communication interdisciplinary sequence. Both COMM 550 and COMM 555 may be repeated for up to six credit hours provided the topics are different.
Persuasive Communication
Technical Communication
| ENGL 502 | Digital Media and Composition | 3 |
| ENGL 508 | Writing for Alternative Academic Careers | 3 |
| ENGL 552 | Topics in Technical and Scientific Writing | 3 |
All communication teaching assistants are required to enroll in COMM 594 each semester they are teaching. Students with teaching assistantships who receive a “C” or below grade in COMM 594 will not be permitted to retake COMM 594 or continue as a teaching assistant, though they may continue in the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program.
Students in the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program must maintain a 3.0 average and must have no more than one “C” or lower grade during the course of the program. No more than one course with a grade of “C+,” “C” or “C-” can be used to meet graduation requirements. If a candidate earns a second grade less than “B-,” he/she has the option to retake the course, but must raise the grade to a “B” or better. The higher grade will replace the lower one in the GPA calculation. Candidates are only allowed one opportunity to retake the course and are suspended from taking any other courses in the program while they retake the course.
Effective 3/6/2023