What are Some Prerequisites to a Master’s in Communication Program?
A Master's in Communication degree can be a gateway into a professional world of research, teaching, management or media production, but accredited programs have a few prerequisites for enrollment. While some programs may admit students without some or all of these requirements, many specialized degrees require a combination of professional knowledge, academic experience and work history. A master's degree in communication typically takes two years to complete and opens many professional doors for graduates of accredited universities.
Resource: 30 Top Affordable Master's in Communication Online
Academic Performance
Before enrolling in a master's program, graduate students must take the Graduate Record Examinations test to show that they have the critical thinking skills and general knowledge required to succeed in graduate school. GRE scores in the 160s or above are high enough to impress most graduate school admissions departments. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.5 or above is also a competitive score.
Bachelor's Degree
Virtually all master's programs require a bachelor's degree in some subject, but a student's major as an undergraduate doesn't always affect his or her chances of being admitted into a graduate program. A master's degree in communication requires knowledge of liberal arts, media studies, social sciences and often business, programming or graphic design. A bachelor's degree in any of these fields will prepare a student for graduate-level research into subjects related to communication. Any bachelor's degree will suffice when applying to a master's program, so engineers and physicists can study communication in graduate school if they have enough interest in it. It's important to have a general understanding of academic communication before attending classes because graduate-level communication courses can be quite demanding.
Work Experience
Some programs require students to have some experience working in a communication job if they don't have a bachelor's degree in communication. Specialized areas of the communication profession, such as marketing, Web design and graphic arts, require skills that often aren't taught in undergraduate courses, so master's students have to acquire these skills on their own time. One way to ensure that students have a fundamental grasp on the concepts covered in a master's program is to require work experience in a specialized field related to the subject of the master's program. College internships can also count toward the requisite number of hours spent in a professional setting, according to U.S. News & World Report. A Master's in Communication makes you qualified to work in a leadership position within the media industry, so in-depth knowledge of media and communication in a professional environment is essential.
Professional Expertise
Another qualification for graduate students in specialized areas of communication is professional expertise. If work history and undergraduate experience can't be verified or don't meet the minimum requirements, a student can demonstrate his or her professional expertise to the admissions department or enrollment counselor. This prerequisite isn't usually necessary if a master's student already has a bachelor's degree or professional work experience in the field of communication. Some students from foreign countries can enroll in a master's program by demonstrating their knowledge of communication scholarship and providing a transcript from a foreign university.
Deciding to enroll in a master's program is an important step on the path to greater wealth and professional fulfillment. The prerequisites for getting a Master's in Communication are ready enough for anyone to manage without much trouble.