Mass Communication, MA

This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.

Learning Outcomes

A candidate for a research master’s degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge in the chosen discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the field in an appropriate timeframe.

Make a contribution to the scholarship of the field: synthesize existing knowledge; identify and access appropriate resources and other sources of relevant information; critically analyze and evaluate one’s own findings and those of others; apply existing research methodologies, techniques, and technical skills; and communicate in a style appropriate to the discipline.
Demonstrate commitment to advancing the values of scholarship: keep abreast of current advances within one’s field and related areas; show commitment to personal professional development through engagement in professional societies and other knowledge transfer modes; and show a commitment to creating an environment that supports learning through teaching, collaborative inquiry, mentoring, or demonstration.
Demonstrate professional skills: adhere to ethical standards in the discipline and listen, give, and receive feedback effectively.

The School of Journalism and Mass Communication offers a Master of Arts in mass communication. The MA program requires 34 s.h. with a thesis. Students who plan to continue on to doctoral studies in the school can complete the required coursework for the master’s degree, plus one additional course, and successfully pass a qualifying examination; a thesis is not required.

Students in the MA program in mass communication must complete the following coursework. They are required to take at least two courses in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication selected from the methods, theory, or electives areas.

Course List
Course #	Title	Hours
All of these:
JMC:6100	Communication and Media Colloquium (taken at least four times for 1 s.h. each; should enroll every semester for entire program of study)	4
JMC:6200	Humanistic Approaches to Media Communication	3
JMC:6300	Social Scientific Approaches to Media Communication	3
JMC:6999	Dissertation (must register for at least 3 s.h.)	3
CLAS:5100	Practicum: College Teaching and Professional Development for Teaching Assistants	1
Additional professionalization courses		2
Methods area courses		3
Theory area courses		3
Electives		12

For a more detailed description of the MA program in mass communication, contact the School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.

Academics

University of Iowa graduate credentials are regulated by policies and requirements found in the Graduate College Manual of Rules and Regulations. This includes minimum grade-point average (GPA) requirements for academic standing and degree conferral. The Graduate College sets the minimum requirement. Individual graduate programs may establish higher GPA requirements.

Admissions

Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.

Financial Support

Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.

This is an academically oriented degree that prepares students for doctoral studies or a career in research.

The MA program is designed to meet the needs of:

journalism and mass communication students who have earned a bachelor’s degree and wish to continue their education; MA students can be considered for admission into the doctoral program after completion of all their MA degree requirements; and
experienced journalists or communicators who wish to prepare themselves for teaching by earning the MA, possibly continuing on to earn their PhD.

Sample Plan of Study

Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.

Plan of Study Grid (Manual)
Academic Career
Any Semester		Hours
34 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. ^a
	Hours	0
First Year
Fall
JMC:6200	Humanistic Approaches to Media Communication	3
Methods, Theory, Concentration, or Elective course ^{b, c}		3
Methods, Theory, Concentration, or Elective course ^{b, c}		3
RHET:5100	Practicum: College Teaching and Professional Development for Teaching Assistants ^d	1
JMC:6100	Communication and Media Colloquium ^e	1
	Hours	11
Spring
JMC:6300	Social Scientific Approaches to Media Communication	3
Methods, Theory, Concentration, or Elective course ^{b, c}		3
Methods, Theory, Concentration, or Elective course ^{b, c}		3
JMC:6100	Communication and Media Colloquium ^e	1
	Hours	10
Second Year
Fall
Methods, Theory, Concentration, or Elective course ^{b, c}		3
Methods, Theory, Concentration, or Elective course ^{b, c}		3
Additional Professionalization course ^d		2
JMC:6100	Communication and Media Colloquium ^e	1
	Hours	9
Spring
Elective course ^{c, f}		3
JMC:6100	Communication and Media Colloquium ^e	1
Final Exam ^g
	Hours	4
	Total Hours	34

a: Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
b: Students are required to complete 3 s.h. of methods area, 3 s.h. of theory area, 6 s.h. of concentration area, and 6 s.h. of elective coursework.
c: Work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate graduate coursework; see the General Catalog and department website for specifics.
d: Students are required to take a total of 3 s.h. of professionalization courses including RHET:5100; consult with faculty advisor to determine which courses best align with career goals.
e: Registration required every semester.
f: Non-thesis option requires the completion of one additional course instead of a thesis.
g: Must complete the master's curriculum with one additional course instead of a thesis; successful completion of qualifying exam in the fourth semester of the program.