Degrees programs/curriculums/majors: Communication Studies, M.A. - Louisiana State University

Apr 07, 2025

2025-2026 General Catalog

(ACMST)

For an MA degree without a thesis, a minimum of 36 course credit hours is required. The student must pass a comprehensive final exam that consists of six hours of written exams and a one hour oral exam.

For an MA degree with a thesis, a minimum of 30 course credit hours and six thesis hours (CMST 8000 ) are required. The student must complete a written thesis and pass a one hour oral exam.

The curricular requirements are:

Required Core

CMST 7900 Introduction to Graduate Study in Communication Studies (3)
A 7000 level seminar in Communication Theory (3)
A 7000 level seminar in Performance Studies (3)
A 7000 level seminar in Rhetoric (3)

If on assistantship:

Additional Courses

At least 2 more courses in CMST at the 7000 level (6)
At least 2 more courses in CMST at the 4000 or 7000 level (6)

Non-Thesis or Thesis Option

Non-Thesis Option

At least 4 more courses at the 4000 or 7000 level, in or out of CMST (12)

Thesis Option

At least 2 more courses at the 4000 or 7000 level, in or out of CMST (6)
CMST 8000 Thesis Research (1-12 per sem.) (6 credits required)

36 (37) Total Credits

MA-Phd Fast Track Degree in Communication Studies

To qualify for the program, the student must complete the non-thesis MA degree in 1½ years, beginning the PhD sequence in the 2^nd half of their 2^nd year.

For MA curricular requirements please see above.
The PhD curricular requirements are:

Required Core

If on assistantship:

Additional Courses in CMST

At least 2 more courses in emphasis at the 7000 level (6)
At least 1 more course in another area at 7000 level (3)
At least 3 more courses at the 4000 or 7000 level (6)

External Study Requirement:

At least 3 courses outside of CMST (9)

Additional Courses

At least 3 more courses in or out of CMST, at least two at the 7000 level (9)

Dissertation Research

CMST 9000 Dissertation Research (1-12 per sem.) (9 hours; does not count towards total)

72 (73) Total Credits

= 36 (37) credits
+ 36 MA credit