Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ : Communications Studies

Communications Studies - COMS

Contact Information

Location: Social Sciences Building, Room 222
Contact number: 403.220.5623
Fax: 403.210.8164
E-mail address: gradprog@ucalgary.ca
Web page URL:

1. Degrees and Specializations Offered

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Master of Arts (MA), thesis-based
Master of Communications Studies (MCS), course-based

2. Admission Requirements

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Graduate program in Communications Studies requires:

Master of Arts (thesis-based, full- or part-time)

a) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (written), or 100 (Internet-based) or a minimum IELTS score of 8.

b) A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale (or equivalent) over the last ten full-course equivalents taken in the applicantâ€™s undergraduate program.

c) A written statement of intent (250-500 words).

d) Two samples of written work.

e) A detailed curriculum vitae.

f) A completed baccalaureate degree in Communications Studies or related field.

g) Two reference letters.

Master of Communications Studies (course-based, full- or part-time)

Please note: The Department is not currently accepting applications to the MCS Program.

a) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (written), or 100 (Internet-based) or a minimum IELTS score of 8.

b) A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale (or equivalent) over the last ten full-course equivalents taken in the applicantâ€™s undergraduate program.

c) A written statement of intent (250-500 words).

d) Two samples of written work.

e) A detailed curriculum vitae.

f) A completed baccalaureate degree in Communications Studies or related field.

g) Two reference letters.

Note: Masters students must take three half-course equivalents in each of Fall and Winter Terms in the first year of their program to be considered full-time. There is no assurance of consideration for funding for part-time students.

Doctor of Philosophy

a) For applicants required to provide proof of proficiency in the English language, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (written), or 100 (Internet-based) or a minimum IELTS score of 8.

b) A minimum grade point average of 3.00 on a four-point scale (or equivalent) over completed graduate courses.

c) A statement of research intent (500-1000 words).

d) Two samples of written work.

e) A detailed curriculum vitae.

f) Completed baccalaureate and masterâ€™s degrees in Communications Studies or equivalent.

g) Two reference letters.

3. Application Deadline

The deadline for the submission of complete applications is January 15 for September admission.

4. Advanced Credit

MCS applicants must request advanced credit at the time of admission for graduate level courses up to a maximum of one half-course equivalent. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. Approval of the Director is required. Advanced credit is not available to MA applicants.

5. Program/Course Requirements

In addition to Faculties of Graduate Studies and Arts requirements, the Graduate Program in Communications Studies requires the following:

Master of Arts (thesis-based, six half-course equivalents)

a) Two half-course equivalents: Communications Studies 601, 613 and 615.

b) Three half-course equivalent electives. One half-course equivalent may be selected from other graduate programs; one half-course equivalent elective may be Communications Studies 711, Directed Studies.

Master of Communications Studies (course-based, ten half-course equivalents)

a) Three half-course equivalents including core courses Communications Studies 601, 605, and 615.

b) Five elective half courses. One half course equivalent may be selected from other graduate programs; one half course elective may be Communications Studies 711, Directed Studies.

c) Communications Studies 790 - Masters Project. Included as two of the ten half course requirements.

Doctor of Philosophy (six half-course equivalents)

a) Three half-course equivalents: Communications Studies 601, 615 or equivalent, and 713.

b) Three half-course equivalents. One half-course equivalent elective may be selected from other graduate programs; one half-course equivalent elective may be Communications Studies 711, Directed Studies.

Note: PhD students who can show that they have taken Communications Studies 601 or equivalent may substitute an elective.

6. Additional Requirements

Not applicable.

7. Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Credit for undergraduate courses toward a Masterâ€™s program will be given only in the case of the course being developed for graduate level work. Students in the doctoral program will not be given credit for undergraduate courses.

8. Time Limit

Expected completion time is two years for the Master of Arts degree, two years of full-time study or three years of part-time study for the Master of Communications Studies degree, and four years for the Doctor of Philosophy degree. Maximum completion time is four years for the Master of Arts degree, and six years for the Master of Communications Studies and Doctor of Philosophy degrees.

9. Supervisory Assignments

Master of Arts
An interim advisor is assigned by the program in the first year. The student must choose a thesis supervisor by the beginning of the second year.

Master of Communications Studies
The Program Director or designate is the assigned interim advisor for the first two years of the student's program for full-time and part-time students. The Program Director or designate is the supervisor for part-time students continuing past two years in the program. In the student's Communications Studies 790 project year, the project supervisor may or may not be the permanent supervisor of record.

Doctor of Philosophy
By June of the first year in program, the student must submit his/her proposed field of research and the name of his/her proposed supervisor for approval by the program. The supervisory committee must be appointed no later than three months after the appointment of the supervisor.

10. Required Examinations

Doctor of Philosophy - Doctoral candidacy examinations have a written and an oral component. Students have three weeks to write papers in three areas relevant to their proposed research. The studentâ€™s supervisory committee sets the areas and the examination questions in consultation with the candidacy committee. The oral examination takes place one week after the completion of the written papers.

Final thesis oral examinations are open.

11. Research Proposal Requirements

Students whose research involves human subjects must receive approval from the Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ Conjoint Faculties Research Ethics Board before beginning data collection.

Master of Arts â€“ Thesis supervisor must approve proposal.

Master of Communications Studies â€“ Project supervisor(s) must approve proposal.

Doctor of Philosophy â€“ In consultation with the supervisory committee, before the candidacy examinations, each doctoral student is required to submit a preliminary thesis proposal that may serve as an additional basis for questioning. A more detailed, Final Thesis Proposal (including an Application for Ethics Approval where relevant), approved by the supervisory committee must be submitted to the graduate director within six months of the successful completion of the candidacy examination.

12. Special Registration Information

None.

13. Financial Assistance

Financial assistance may be available to qualified students. For information on Awards, see the Awards and Financial Assistance section of this Calendar ().

Students applying for the Graduate Awards Competition must submit their applications to the Department of Communication and Culture Graduate Programs Office by January 15.

14. Other Information

Inquiries concerning specific questions about the program and degree requirements should be directed to: Department of Communication and Culture, Graduate Programs, Social Sciences 222, Áù¾ÅÉ«ÌÃ, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2N 1N4. Email:gradprog@ucalgary.ca.

15. Faculty Members/Research Interests

The active research interests of current faculty can be found at .

Note: Courses that are considered electives will be offered on the basis of student needs and contingent upon the availability of staff resources.

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