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2024-2025 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog

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Combined Degree Programs in Communication

Qualified undergraduate students majoring in advertising/public relations, communication studies, health communication, or journalism, broadcasting, and digital studies who are pursuing either a B.A. or B.S. degree may be admitted to a combined degree program (CDP) to obtain both their undergraduate degree and master's degree in communication (M.S. in communication) within an accelerated time frame.

Overview

  1. Students with a GPA of 3.0, or greater, may apply to the CDP in their junior year.
  2. A minimum of 75 semester credits must be completed or in progress in order to apply to the CDP.
  3. Students must have completed, or are registered for, their major's undergraduate capstone.
  4. Students accepted into the CDP are eligible to take up to 12 credits of graduate-level communication (COM) courses in their senior year. These graduate credits will count toward the fulfillment of requirements for both their baccalaureate and graduate degrees.
  5. Students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA to remain in good standing in the CDP. Each graduate course taken during this time must receive a grade of B or better (not B-) in order to continue in the (M.S. in communications) graduate program beyond the initial 12 credits.
  6. In the second year of the program, students will be defined as graduate students for purposes of tuition and fees as well as financial aid and other matters pertaining to graduate students. Please see gvsu.edu/financialaid/tuition-fees-68.htm for more information.
  7. The specific 12 credits of graduate coursework to be taken and applied toward the fulfillment of the undergraduate/graduate programs are COM 600, COM 620, COM 634, and COM 642. If a student decides to pursue only the undergraduate portion of the CDP, the graduate credits completed will satisfy requirements for the undergraduate major. In this situation, these graduate credits from the undergraduate degree may not be used toward a graduate degree at a later time.

Application

Apply at gvsu.edu/admissions/graduate-application-24.htm. You are required to submit an online application, GVSU transcript, current resume, two letters of recommendation, and a 500-word essay that addresses your career goals and how the (M.S. in communications) graduate program is relevant to these goals. Deadline for application is May 1. Applicants are encouraged to meet with the graduate program director in advance of the deadline to discuss the CDP.

Anthony Spencer, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Director
School of Communications
Email: [email protected]

Sample Schedule for the Accelerated M.S. in Communications Program: Advertising/Public Relations

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

Year Three

Fall

Winter

Year Four

Fall

Winter

Year Five

Fall

Winter

The number of credits taken each semester will vary depending on the particular courses taken. A minimum of 120 credits is required to complete the undergraduate degree. In the sample previously listed, at least one required course, such as a lab science course, would bring the total number of credits to 120.

Sample Schedule for the Accelerated M.S. in Communications Program: Communication Studies

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

  • CS core course
  • CS core course
  • B.A./B.S. cognate course
  • General education
  • General education

Year Three

Fall

  • CS core course
  • CS core course
  • B.A./B.S. cognate course
  • General education
  • General education

Winter

  • CS core course
  • CS core course
  • CS elective
  • CS elective
  • Free elective

Year Four

Fall

Winter

Year Five

Fall

Winter

The number of credits taken each semester will vary depending on the particular courses taken. A minimum of 120 credits is required to complete the undergraduate degree. In the sample, at least one required course, such as a lab science course, would bring the total number of credits to 120.

Sample Schedule for the Accelerated M.S. in Communications Program: Health Communication

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

Year Three

Fall

Winter

Year Four

Fall

Winter

Year Five

Fall

Winter

The number of credits taken each semester will vary depending on the particular courses taken. A minimum of 120 credits is required to complete the undergraduate degree. In the sample previously listed, at least one required course, such as a lab science course, would bring the total number of credits to 120.

Sample Schedule for the Accelerated M.S. in Communications Program: Journalism, Broadcasting, and Digital Media

Year One

Fall

Winter

Year Two

Fall

Winter

Year Three

Fall

Winter

Year Four

Fall

Winter

Year Five

Fall

Winter

The number of credits taken each semester will vary depending on the particular courses taken. A minimum of 120 credits is required to complete the undergraduate degree. In the sample previously listed, at least one required course, such as a lab science course, would bring the total number of credits to 120.


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