Graduate Studies in Communication

Master of Arts in Advertising
Master of Arts in Health Communication
Master of Arts in Public Relations
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Advertising
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Crisis, Emergency and Risk Communication
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Healthcare Communication
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Intercultural Communication
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Public Health Communication
Certificate of Graduate Studies in Public Relations

David Holmes, Dean, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
Robert C. Chandler, Director, Graduate Programs in Communication

Core Faculty

Robert C. Chandler, Professor
Aerial Ellis, Assistant Professor

In addition to the core faculty, instruction is provided by distinguished guest faculty with academic and professional subject matter expertise in the areas of course specializations. Visit the program web page to learn more about the guest faculty members.

Vision Statement

The vision for Graduate Studies in Communication focuses on teaching and research within the tradition of liberal arts and professional education crafted to produce responsible and skilled communicators for a variety of professional careers or further graduate studies. Our graduates will understand how to communicate effectively and ethically as professionals in all sectors of work and life. Our students will use their communication knowledge and skills to reach beyond the academy in service to the larger diverse communities in which we live and work. Graduate Studies in Communication seeks to educate future leaders to be thoughtful, informed, and insightful.

To fulfill this vision, Graduate Studies in Communication curriculum is designed to teach students:

To understand the overall communication process in all its ethical, social, and cultural dimensions.
To know relevant communication theory, including rhetorical, historical, humanistic, critical, interpretive, and social-scientific perspectives.
To apply communication theory and research in a professional field.
To understand the role of understanding communication situations and contextual challenges.
To understand the implications of the media channels used for communication.
To understand the role of audience perception for meaningfully interpreting communication.
To understand the importance of intercultural diversity, equity, and inclusion in communication practices.
To understand new communication technologies and their impacts on communication.
To conduct research leading to enhanced understanding of communication and which can guide professional best practices.
To recognize that with knowledge arises the ability to strategically make informed, meaningful, and ethical choices about communication.
To have the abilities to prepare and present effective and responsible communication messages.
To have commitment and passion to use communication skills to improve society as advocates for what they believe and make a difference in the world through their communication abilities.

Graduate Studies in Communication seeks to offer academic programs which are:

Welcoming: Graduate Studies in Communication welcomes students from all academic and professional backgrounds as well as those seeking a diverse range of career pursuits. Thus, no prior study or experience in communication is required for admission to any of our programs.
Inclusive: Graduate Studies in Communication welcomes students from every background and life experience. We acknowledge the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion among our students, faculty, and subjects of study including the key role of intercultural communication competence.
Innovative: Graduate Studies in Communication faculty and students together seek to explore the central role that communication plays in shaping our relationships, institutions, economies, organizations, and societies.
Serving: Graduate Studies in Communication seeks to serve the needs of our students and consider their individual academic and career goals as we prepare them to in turn serve as innovative professionals, knowledge seeking scholars, engaged citizens, effective communicators, and visionary leaders in all the communities in which they find themselves.
Visionary: As we strive towards these goals, we believe that an interdisciplinary perspective on our scope of the field of study is a source of strength and enrichment. Drawing from the knowledge bases and methods of inquiry of the social sciences, humanities, and practical arts, Graduate Studies in Communication offers students a multi-dimensional range of study linking a rich tradition of research scholarship to contemporary best practices in a wide range of applications.
Relevant: From these diverse intellectual traditions and contemporary applications students and faculty learn together more complete and valuable understandings of the roles, processes, and practices of communication in its various forms, contexts, and enactments. Specifically, the end objective of study is to possess knowledge, skills, and abilities that are practical for careers, lives, relationships, and working for the benefit of themselves and others.

Programs

Master of Arts in Advertising (36 hours) provides in-depth knowledge of the communication concepts necessary practitioners to adapt to the constantly changing media marketplace. The program focuses on crucial areas of study including communication theories, research, persuasion, media effects, advertising agencies, advertising strategies, ad campaign management, consumer behavior, influencers, visual communication, regulations, ethics, diversity, and equity. The program also explores the increasingly important role of new media technologies and social media in the advertising landscape. Students may choose either a thesis or non-thesis matriculation option as their culminating experience.

Master of Arts in Health Communication (36 hours) designed to equip students with the knowledge of transferable methods, models, and modes for effectively communicating in a wide range of health communication settings. The program focuses on three key contexts of effective communication: public health communication, healthcare provider-provider collaboration, and healthcare provider-patient interactions. The curriculum examines the relationship between theory and research, intercultural considerations, and standard best practices in communicating risk and health literacy information.

Master of Arts in Public Relations (36 hours) offers students a thorough understanding of the content knowledge surrounding models, methods, and media of public relations. The program focuses on the connection between theories and research, professional best practices for public relations, strategic communication, and the role of new media in sustaining relationships with stakeholders. Core areas of study include persuasion, media effects, campaigns, audience analysis, assessment, executive speechwriting, spokespersons, fundraising, media relations, PR ethics, crisis communication, promotional events, and social media. Students may choose either a thesis or non-thesis matriculation option as their culminating experience.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Advertising (15 hours) is a post baccalaureate academic credential for students seeking advanced study of advertising and evidence demonstrating success in graduate level studies.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Crisis, Emergency and Risk Communication (15 hours) is a post baccalaureate academic credential for students seeking advanced study of crisis, emergency and risk communication and evidence demonstrating success in graduate level studies.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Healthcare Communication (15 hours) is a post baccalaureate academic credential for students seeking advanced study of healthcare communication in the contexts of healthcare organization communication, provider interaction, and provider-patient interaction and evidence demonstrating success in graduate level studies.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Intercultural Communication (15 hours) is a post baccalaureate academic credential for students seeking advanced study of intercultural communication and evidence demonstrating success in graduate level studies.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Public Health Communication (15 hours) is a post baccalaureate academic credential for students seeking advanced study of public relations and communication and evidence demonstrating success in graduate level studies.

Certificate of Graduate Studies in Public Relations (15 hours) is a post baccalaureate academic credential for students seeking advanced study of public relations and evidence demonstrating success in graduate level studies.

Admission Policies and Procedures

Applicants to the program should hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit the following for admission review and enrollment:

Application Form. Each applicant must complete an application form. The application form is available at lipscomb.edu/admissions/graduate then click on “Apply by Program” to complete the online application.
Application Fee. Each application should be accompanied by a $50 nonrefundable application fee. Fee will be waived for those applying before October 1 for Spring semester and March 1 for fall semester.
Goals Essay. A 750-1000 word (2 page) academic and career goals statement explaining the applicant’s interest in the program curriculum is required.
TOEFL. The Test of English as a Foreign Language is required for English Language Learner (ELL) students. (See section titled International Students for more information.)
References. Two letters of reference are required. Letters should be from individuals who are familiar with your professional and/or academic achievements.
Résumé. Submit a resume of relevant academic, work, and professional experience.
Official Transcript(s). Each applicant must submit an official transcript, showing degree conferral when appropriate, from all schools attended.
Health Form.^* Each accepted new student must submit a completed health form signed by a health care provider. (To print a copy of the health form, visit www.lipscomb.edu/healthcenter/forms)
FERPA:^* The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students certain rights of access to educational records; even if you are independent of your parents, you must submit this form prior to enrollment.
Application Interview. An interview with the Director of Graduate Programs in Communication (virtually or by phone) is required.

* These forms must be submitted after acceptance into the program.

Transfer of Courses

Although graduate credit hours may be transferred from another accredited institution to the communication graduate programs at Lipscomb University, only a maximum of six hours will be counted toward the M.A. degree. The director or appropriate faculty member of the graduate program will evaluate the course(s) being proposed for transfer and decide suitability and how credit should be articulated. Per policy, no graduate level course with an earned final course grade below a “B” will be considered for transfer credit or articulation. See “Special Consideration” in front of catalog.

Documentation

Students are required to provide satisfactory documentation of personal identification for on-line, hybrid, and/or off-site learning experiences required in many programs of graduate study at Lipscomb University. Failure to provide proper credentials will result in failure to complete the desired course of study. For complete policy, see section entitled Required Documentation for Off-Site Learning Experiences in the opening section of this catalog.

Student Classifications

Students are admitted into the graduate program and enrolled into graduate courses in one of five classification categories:

1. Graduate Student: one who has satisfied all admissions requirements. A student with an incomplete admission file may be accepted to the program as a Graduate Student, at the discretion of the program director but may be placed on an academic hold which will prevent registration for a subsequent semester of study. Once the proper admissions documents have been received, the academic hold status can be removed, and the student will be allowed to register for the following semester.

2. Conditionally Admitted Student: one who has been admitted conditionally, at the discretion of the program director, without satisfying all admission requirements. The conditions of the admission will be stipulated, and students may be required to complete measures to satisfy the conditions stipulated. For example, students conditionally admitted with the following criteria may be required to complete a minimum of nine hours of stipulated graduate work with a grade of “B” or above to satisfy the conditions of admission.

• Bachelor’s degree received from an unaccredited school

• Bachelor’s degree received with a substandard GPA

• A transfer student with a graduate GPA between 2.50 and 2.99 (the transfer student must be in good standing at the previous institution attended)

3. Non-Degree Seeking Student: one who has been admitted to graduate studies and has met all admission requirements but does not intend to seek matriculation for either the M.A. degree or the graduate certificate. A non-degree seeking student may attempt up to nine semester hours for graduate credit in the program. Those hours may be applied toward a master’s degree or certificate admission if the student earns a grade of “B” or better in the courses taken for credit and the student is formally admitted to a graduate program as a degree-seeking student.

4. Transient (Visiting) Student: one who is currently enrolled as a student in good standing at the post-bachelor’s level at another graduate school, wishes to take courses at Lipscomb and desires to have transcript evidence of course work done at Lipscomb provided for the school of primary enrollment.

5. Probationary Student: one who has been readmitted to a graduate program following academic suspension from the program (for example, due to an insufficient cumulative GPA). A probationary status student will not be allowed to enroll for more than nine hours during any semester the probation status applies. Probationary status may be removed after a student has successfully completed nine hours of graduate credit with an earned grade of B or higher. A student cannot be admitted to candidacy for the master’s degree and thus one cannot matriculate (graduate) from the program (either M.A. degree or certificate) while in probationary status. See the information below regarding probation status.

Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy for the master’s degree. Only those students who meet the requirements for “graduate student” described above are eligible for candidacy.

Candidacy for Graduation

Before the start of the final semester of study, graduate students should apply for candidacy for graduation. To be classified for candidacy the graduate student must be in good academic standing with the university. Failure to seek candidacy for the degree may prevent matriculation. Admission to a program does not imply admission to candidacy status for the master’s degree. Only those students who meet the requirements for “Graduate Student” described above are eligible for candidacy and those students must be in good academic standing with the university. Contact the Director of Graduate Programs in Communication for more information on applying for candidacy and see the section below which describes the candidacy requirement.

Academic Policies

Course Load

A student enrolled for six credit hours in a semester is considered a full-time student. A student enrolled for less than six credit hours is considered a part-time student. No student will be permitted to enroll for more than 12 credit hours per semester without special approval from the Director of Graduate Programs in Communication.

Academic Standing

Good Academic Standing: To remain in good academic standing, the graduate student must maintain a cumulative 3.00 GPA and a 3.00 GPA on the most recent 12 semester hours of work.
Probation: Should a graduate student’s cumulative graduate GPA fall below 3.00, the student will be placed on academic probation status. A probationary status student will not be allowed to enroll for more than nine hours during any semester the probation status applies. The probationary student is required to achieve a 3.00 cumulative GPA by the time the student has completed the next twelve hours of course work. A course(s) may be repeated to achieve the requisite GPA. If the requisite GPA is attained, the academic probation status will be removed.
Suspension: If a student is on probation and the requisite GPA is not attained, the student will be suspended from graduate studies at Lipscomb for the following semester, after which the student may apply for readmission. The student may be required to provide information, documentation, explanation, and successfully interview with the program director in order to provide evidence for potential success in the program. Readmission to the program is not guaranteed. There is a prescribed university process, with specific deadlines and statutes of limitations, for appeals of academic suspension. Please contact the program director or the Office of the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs for more information on suspension appeals.
Appeals: Appeals to suspension decisions should be made in writing to the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. Appeals must be received no later than 4:30 p.m. on the Monday of the week before classes begin for the term during which the student wishes to be readmitted.
Retaking or Repeating Courses: It is permissible to repeat a course for which a grade less than B has been earned in the previous attempt.

Degree Completion Requirements

Residency

No period of formal residency is required for the master’s degree program or graduate certificate. The program may be completed by full-time or part-time graduate students via the hybrid (distance) learning modalities. It is not necessary to satisfy any on-campus residency requirement.

Statute of Limitations

All requirements for a Master of Arts degree or a Graduate Certificate must be completed within a seven-year period from the time of initial program admission.

Candidacy

Admission to a Master of Arts program or a Graduate Certificate program does not imply admission to candidacy for a master’s degree or graduate certificate. During the course of pursuing the M.A. degree or the certificate, the student must be admitted to “candidacy status.” For admission to candidacy the student must satisfy the following:

• Complete all required undergraduate deficiencies if admitted on condition.

• Successfully complete at least 12 hours of graduate work towards the Master of Arts degree or 9 hours of graduate work towards the Graduate Certificate.

• Maintain a 3.00 GPA on all courses taken toward the requirements for the degree or certificate with no outstanding incomplete grades.

• File a complete degree plan/application for candidacy with the program director which meets all requirements and is approved by the program director and the dean of the college. The expectation is that for full-time graduate students the degree plan is typically filed during the second semester of graduate work in the graduate program.

After admission to candidacy status (and approval of the degree plan), any changes or deviations in the degree plan must be approved by the administrator of the graduate program and the dean of the college. The application for candidacy must be filed before the beginning of the student’s last semester in the program. No student will be allowed to graduate in the same semester in which the application for candidacy is filed.

Minimum Credit Requirements

The master’s degree programs require 36 semester credit hours. The graduate certificate programs require 15 semester credit hours. These requirements do not include additional credit units which may be required to satisfy conditional admission, academic deficiencies, maintain academic good standing or minimum cumulative GPA.

Minimum GPA Requirements

The minimum cumulative grade-point average for the graduate programs is 3.00 for all graduate courses taken for graduate credit while pursuing the degree or certificate. No grade below a “C” is acceptable and shall not count towards the degree or certificate requirements. Students have the option to retake courses in order to earn a higher grade and satisfy the course credit or GPA requirement.

Graduation

Students must register for GN 999X the semester in which all course work will be completed for graduation and file an intent to graduate form with the Lipscomb University’s registrar’s office in order to graduate. Students who do not file their intent to graduate form in the registrar’s office by the end of the first week of their last semester of study may be delayed in graduating. Graduate students receiving Master of Arts degrees are hooded during the May and December commencement exercises only.

Appeals

Any exceptions to the above stated Lipscomb University academic requirements would require approval by the Vice Provost for Academic Affairs in collaboration with the Dean of the College and the Director of Graduate Programs in Communication.

Financial Information

Tuition and Fees for 2021-22

Tuition
Tuition per credit hour	$1,030
Tuition to audit	50% of tuition

Fees
Application fee	$50
Returned payment fee	$30
Payment plan enrollment fee (per semester)	$60

M.A. Degree Completion Requirements

Choose one thesis or non-thesis matriculation option for your degree program listed below.

Thesis Options

• M.A. in Advertising Thesis and Oral Defense Option (Required 3 Hours): Students who choose the thesis matriculation option are required to register for CO 6593 - Thesis I: Communication Research Methods (3 Credit Hours) in the semester/term in which they are writing the thesis document. CO 6593 should only be taken after successful completion of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework in the program. In addition to enrollment in this course, thesis option students are required to both present and defend the thesis. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Communication for more information on completing, presenting, and defending the master’s thesis.

Continuous enrollment requirement: Thesis students who fail to complete/defend the M.A. thesis by the end of the semester of CO 6593 enrollment and/or the semester identified on the approved degree plan are required to maintain continuous enrollment for each term thereafter until the thesis is successfully completed/defended. Enrollment should be determined in consultation with the graduate program director. Typically, continuous enrollment during this period is accomplished with enrollment in the Graduate Project course in subsequent semesters until the thesis is successfully defended.

• M.A. in Health Communication Thesis and Oral Defense Option (Required 6 Hours): Students who choose the thesis matriculation option are required to register for CO 6593 - Thesis I: Communication Research Methods (3 Credit Hours) in the semester/term in which they begin writing the thesis proposal document. CO 6593 should only be taken after successful completion of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework in the program. First complete CO 6593 (3) - Thesis I: Communication Research Methods and subsequently enroll in CO 6893 - Thesis II (3 Credit Hours) for a total of six hours of thesis credits.

Continuous enrollment requirement: In addition to enrollment in this course, thesis option students are required to both present and defend the thesis. If the thesis is not completed and successfully defended after the required 6 hours, continuous enrollment must be maintained each subsequent term until the thesis is completed and successfully defended by enrollment in the following no-credit course: CO 6690 (0) - Thesis Continuation (no tuition but requires fee).

• M.A. in Public Relations Thesis and Oral Defense Option (Required 3 Hours): Students who choose the thesis matriculation option are required to register for CO 6593 - Thesis I: Communication Research Methods (3 Credit Hours) in the semester/term in which they are writing the thesis document. CO 6593 should only be taken after successful completion of 24 credit hours of graduate coursework in the program. In addition to enrollment in this course, thesis option students are required to both present and defend the thesis. Contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Communication for more information on completing, presenting, and defending the master’s thesis.

Non-Thesis Options

• M.A. in Advertising Non-Thesis Option (Required 3 Hours): Students who choose the non-thesis matriculation option must successfully complete one additional course (3 credit hours) from the program electives list of courses instead of enrolling in CO 6593.

• M.A. in Health Communication Non-Thesis Option (Required 6 Hours): Select two additional elective courses (6 hours) from the program electives list instead of enrolling in CO 6593 and CO 6893.

• M.A. in Public Relations Non-Thesis Option (Required 3 Hours): Students who choose the non-thesis matriculation option must successfully complete one additional course (3 credit hours) from the program electives list of courses instead of enrolling in CO 6593.

B.A. to M.A. Bridge Programs

B.A. to M.A. Bridge Program in Advertising

Current Lipscomb undergraduate majors in Advertising (students in good academic standing) may apply for early admission to the M.A. in Advertising program. As these students complete their B.A. in Advertising, they may enroll in six hours of graduate courses counting towards the M.A. in Advertising degree during their final semester of undergraduate study. After the student matriculates with the B.A. in Advertising they will switch to full graduate student status and complete the remaining 30 hours of graduate study for the M.A. in Advertising. This enables the student to complete both a B.A. in Advertising and an M.A. in Advertising within one additional year* of study beyond the B.A. degree (*requires enrollment in summer, fall, and spring courses). There is no GRE requirement for admission to the B.A. to M.A. Bridge Program in Advertising. For more information talk with your undergraduate advisor or contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Communication.

B.A. to M.A. Bridge Program in Public Relations

Current Lipscomb undergraduate majors in Public Relations (students in good academic standing) may apply for early admission to the M.A. in Public Relations program. As these students complete their B.A. in Public Relations, they may enroll in six hours of graduate courses counting towards the M.A. in Public Relations degree during their final semester of undergraduate study. After the student matriculates with the B.A. in Public Relations they will switch to full graduate student status and complete the remaining 30 hours of graduate study for the M.A. in Public Relations. This enables the student to complete both a B.A. in Public Relations and an M.A. in Public Relations within one additional year* of study beyond the B.A. degree (*requires enrollment in summer, fall, and spring courses). There is no GRE requirement for admission to the B.A. to M.A. Bridge Program in Public Relations. For more information talk with your undergraduate advisor or contact the Director of Graduate Studies in Communication.