Graduate Program
Overview of the M.A. Program in Communication
The Master of Arts in Communication at Wake Forest University offers a rigorous, comprehensive study of the communication discipline. Established in 1969, our graduate program has a long history of placing students into top-tier Ph.D. programs, law schools, and impactful careers ranging from public advocacy and healthcare to entrepreneurship.
Our 4-semester, two-year program is primarily designed for doctoral preparation and advanced professional development. Students benefit from a close-knit department, small class sizes, and direct faculty mentorship.
Curriculum and Program Structure
The M.A. degree requires a minimum of 33 credit hours (including core research methods, professional seminars, and electives) with an average grade of B (3.0) or higher. The university’s minimum residence requirement is one academic year (meaning full-time, on-campus enrollment for at least two semesters).
- Core Methods and Foundations: Students gain grounding in quantitative and rhetorical methods through graduate-only seminars and bridge courses taught alongside upper-level undergraduates.
- First-Year Proseminar: In their first year, students enroll in the Proseminar in Communication (COM 763 / COM 764) with the Director of Graduate Studies. This 1.5-credit seminar introduces the discipline, professional development, research skills, and pedagogy.
- Specialized Electives: Course offerings cover a wide range of topics, including rhetoric and digital rhetoric, media studies, health communication, persuasion and argumentation, organizational communication, social movements, democratic theory, rhetoric of science, international communication, and many more special topics seminars. In most semesters, faculty offer special topics graduate courses that do not show up in the permanent course catalog. For a list of permanent courses and descriptions please visit this link to the graduate school academic bulletin. Interdisciplinary coursework is also available through affiliated graduate programs in Documentary Film; Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; The Divinity School; and other M.A. programs.
Research and Thesis Milestone
While a comprehensive examination option exists, most students complete the degree through the Thesis Track:
- Spring of Year 1: Students develop their initial research question or thesis argument with their advisor and the Director of Graduate Studies, presenting their project proposal to the full departmental faculty for collaborative feedback.
- Year 2: Students finalize coursework and work closely with a committee – comprising Communication faculty and an external reader – to conduct original research, write, and defend their thesis.
Contact and Inquiries
For questions about the curriculum, application process, or research opportunities, please reach out to:
Dr. Rebecca Gill
Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Communication
Wake Forest University