It is primarily intended for professionals in the field, though traditional students are welcome. We anticipate that many students will already have a job in the communication industry. You will take courses that provide you with a theoretical, conceptual, and methodological background. We then ask you to apply the program to your own context, either toward a position you currently have or one that you desire. There is a thesis option (academic, Plan I) and a non-thesis project option (professional, Plan II). In Plan I, you write a substantial paper about how this program applies to the position that you are seeking or how it can improve your work in your current position. In Plan II you will complete a project that demonstrates to your advisor that you are capable of conducting Master’s level work.

Yes. The courses are offered primarily at night and on weekends.

We anticipate that most students will take two calendar years since most will be unable to take three courses per term.

Only through regular university channels. There are graduate teaching assistantships. After you have successfully completed 18 graduate hours, you are able to apply for a part-time position teaching in the department. For more information, contact the graduate director.

In most cases no. You do not need to take any standardized test for admission to our graduate program. You must take the test if you are interested in applying for one of our GTA positions.

No. You do not have to retake any math, science, English, or other courses of that type. All of the courses in the graduate program are communication courses, although you may be able to take some courses outside the department with the permission of your advisor and the graduate director.

At present, the answer is no. That may change. We would recommend that you attend class for the first four courses, and by that time we will have more information about alternative learning methods.

No, but you must have a communication-related background. Degrees in sociology, psychology, and the like are quite similar. An undergraduate minor is another alternative. Obviously, if your undergraduate degree is in physics, you might have to take some communication undergraduate courses first.

Most courses will have 12-15. However, a few classes may have up to 30.

It takes less time to complete and is much more abstract. We will not teach how to write a newspaper article, to organize a public relations event, or how to work a camera. We expect that if you need to know those things, you already do. This degree is about the decision-making and thinking processes that take place in higher levels of communication corporations or communication departments of companies.

No.

No, but you may have to take a methods course that includes a significant amount of information about statistics.

CM 601: Foundations of Communications Management is a good place to start. It will outline for you the academic and professional elements of the discipline as well as give you an overview of the other courses. Your advisor will help you choose your first classes.

This will change from semester to semester, but the UAB Graduate School recommends that your entire application package be complete at least six weeks before the beginning of the semester. Usually, the most time-consuming part of the application process is getting your GRE scores to the school. This requires that you sign up for the test, take the test, and have your test scores forwarded to UAB. This process can take months.

Yes, you may enroll as a non-degree seeking student. There are little paperwork and a minimal application fee. In most cases, you can register for classes on the same day you apply. Once your application is complete and you are approved for the program, all hours taken as a non-degree student will count towards your degree.

You must be aware, however, that non-degree seeking students are limited to 12 hours of study. UAB will not allow you to register for the graduate class after you have completed 12 hours.

Starting as a non-degree seeking student does not in anyway obligate the department to accept you as a degree-seeking student once your application is complete. If your grades, test scores, or letter of reference are substandard you will not be admitted to the program. The fact that you already have taken classes is irrelevant.

We require a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and a strong letter of reference. It is usually a good idea to get at least one or two letters from someone familiar with your academic performance (i.e. professors).

Yes, if your scores or GPA are close, then you can be admitted on academic probation.

Generally, graduate students are expected to make As and Bs. A grade of C in graduate school is comparable to an undergraduate F.

Probably. It will depend on your record in this program and recommendations from your professors.

All graduate applications are handled through the UAB Graduate School. Do not send your materials to us here in the department. Once your package is complete the Graduate School will forward a copy to us for evaluation. The Graduate School is responsible for notifying you once a decision is reached regarding your application.

You should contact the Department’s Graduate Director. The current director is Dr. Amsbary; you can reach him at amsbary@uab.edu.