University of Ottawa

Overview

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication at the University of Ottawa offers advanced training in media studies and organizational communication. This program provides students with the flexibility to choose between a thesis or a research paper, allowing for in-depth exploration of their interests. The bilingual academic environment fosters a rich learning experience, enabling students to develop essential research, critical analysis, and communication strategy skills.

What you'll study

The M.A. in Communication program comprises graduate coursework and a final research component, tailored to your chosen pathway—thesis option or research paper stream.

Research routes

• Thesis option: Typically involves 12 units, culminating in a thesis based on original research.
• Research paper stream: Generally requires 18 units, resulting in a comprehensive research paper developed through graduate-level inquiry.

Indicative course themes

Course offerings may vary, but common themes include:

• Contemporary Communication Issues
• Social History of Communication Technologies
• Communication Ethics
• Public Communication Campaigns: Theories and Applications
• Diversity in the Workplace: Communication Challenges
• Organisational Communication Theories
• Theories and Effects of the Media
• Health Communication Theories
• Communication Management
• Virtual Work Teams
• Communication, Globalization and Change
• Government Communication
• Risk and Crisis Communication

Research training (core skills)

• Graduate research methods and scholarly inquiry
• Academic writing and literature review development
• Research design, data collection/analysis relevant to the chosen topic
• Supervised preparation and completion of the thesis or research paper

Entry requirements

Applicants are not required to submit GRE or GMAT scores for this program. A minimum overall average of 70% (B) is needed, as calculated according to graduate studies guidelines.

Career prospects

Graduates of the M.A. in Communication can pursue a variety of career paths in diverse fields such as media, public relations, corporate communication, and academia. The program equips students with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving communication landscape, preparing them for roles that require critical thinking, effective communication, and strategic problem-solving.