Communication - Master en Arts (MA)

The master's degree provides students with knowledge of communication scholarship and develops their ability to analyze complex communication situations. The program is intended to serve two main groups of students: those planning to pursue the PhD degree and those seeking employment in businesses, nonprofit institutions and community groups.

MA students typically pursue studies in one or more of the department's three main areas:

• Community & social interaction
• Organizational communication
• Rhetoric & culture

Students may choose a thesis or comprehensive examination option.

As one of only 36 U.S. public research institutions in the Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of Colorado Boulder is all about realizing the positive impacts of new knowledge.

From offering dozens of exciting programs in a range of academic fields, to serving as one of the world’s most dynamic research and innovation hubs, to working closely through hundreds of public outreach efforts with communities across Colorado and the world, we take pride in helping our students, faculty, staff and partners turn new ideas into productive outcomes that change lives.

Our university has launched multiple strategic initiatives in recent years, and at the heart of these is our core mission of furthering the public good. Through this important work we are bolstering our university’s long-term value to the students, faculty, staff, alumni, supporters, communities, peers and the democracy we serve, by embracing our role and responsibility as Colorado’s leading national public research university.

As we enter Year Three of Academic Futures, its core themes and projects, featured below, will guide our work. In alignment with our strategic vision and imperatives, they focus on people, as we shape tomorrow’s leaders; on programs, as we continue our journey to be the top university for innovation, and on the positive outcomes of all our work that impact humanity, strengthening and fulfilling our commitment to the public good.

CU Boulder’s vision is grounded in its statutory mission as a national public research university. In Colorado statute, the university is defined as the “comprehensive graduate research university with selective admissions standards . . . offer(ing) a comprehensive array of undergraduate, master and doctoral degree programs” of what is now designated the University of Colorado System.

CU Boulder recognizes the exceptional opportunities associated with its role as a research university, and values the unique strength and character research achievements bring to undergraduate education. It is keenly aware of its responsibility for educating the next generation of citizens and leaders, and for fostering the spirit of discovery through research. Indeed, CU Boulder believes that its students, both graduate and undergraduate, benefit from the comprehensive mix of programs and research excellence that characterize a flagship university. Thus, CU Boulder’s statutory mission is relevant today and will remain relevant tomorrow.