M.A. in Research

The Research M.A. focuses on developing tools in mass communication research and typically leads to enrollment in a doctoral program. Coursework should provide background and training in an appropriate mixture of communication theory and analytical tools; solid grasp of theory and methods should be evident in the student’s M.A. thesis. The student defends the thesis before a three-person certification committee in an oral examination at the end of the program.

Master’s students must earn a minimum 3.25 cumulative grade point average by the end of the second semester in residence and must maintain that GPA for the duration of the degree program. Grades in courses numbered 300 and above count toward the GPA.

Master’s students who earn grades of “incomplete” must remove those grades in the semester following their occurrence. A request for a waiver of this rule may be granted in rare cases. Waiver requests should be submitted to the Journalism and Mass Communication Graduate Committee.

Master’s students must maintain steady progress toward completion of the degree. Full-time master’s students can expect to spend 1.5 to 2 years earning the degree. The time to degree completion varies for part-time students.

We are a thriving, top-ranked college in Madison, Wisconsin—one of the most fantastic cities in the country. We think boldly and act confidently, not only as engineers, but as engaged citizens. As an engineering community, we value unique perspectives, we foster respect and inclusivity, and we work together to bring new ideas to life. Building on a heritage of impact, we develop the leaders, knowledge and technologies that improve lives now and create a better future. Underlying all of our efforts is the strength of one of the top research universities in the world.

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Our faculty have strong support structures for collaborating across disciplinary boundaries—and as a result, they accomplish great things. Our college plays a major role in UW-Madison’s consistently high national ranking for research expenditures, as well as the number of patents filed through the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF), one of the oldest university technology-transfer offices in the nation. We are key drivers of economic and social progress: Through Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and other endeavors such as spin-off companies and work directly with industry partners, the fruits of our research extend into businesses and industries worldwide.