The M.A. degree offered through the Communication & Development Studies Program focuses on using communication to promote social change. The curriculum encompasses core courses that emphasize topics and proficiencies related to communication for development, strategic communications, and participatory research methods.
To suit their individual objectives, students then build upon this core by devising a curriculum that draws upon courses in graduate programs from across the university. The Comm Dev program is one of only a few master’s degree programs in the world that focuses on communication for development and social change.
Incoming cohorts average between 10-15 students, with approximately three-quarters of them coming from outside the United States. Communication & Development Studies students somewhat invariably include, among others, Fulbright Scholars, Ford Foundation Scholars, and Return Peace Corps Volunteers. The program offers financial assistance to competitive applicants.
Students may customize their curriculum to study community development, global health, media advocacy, environment and food sustainability.
Key Features of Communication and Development Studies
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Interdisciplinary Approach
Our program integrates knowledge from various fields to address the multifaceted nature of communication for social change.
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Theoretical and Practical Learning
Students gain a robust understanding of communication theories while engaging in hands-on experiences that allow them to apply these concepts in real-world scenarios.
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Global Perspective
We emphasize the importance of global contexts in communication, preparing students to work effectively in diverse environments.
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Social Change
Our mission is to train students to use communication to promote and implement social change locally and internationally.
Meet the Director
Tuition & Financial Aid Information
The Communication and Development Studies M.A. program offers competitive tuition scholarships and graduate assistantships on the basis of merit, including previous academic performance and/or post-graduation professional experience.
Applicants wishing to be considered for financial aid should complete the financial aid section on the graduate application.
Graduate Assistantship (GA)/Teaching Assistantships (TA) and Graduate Recruitment Scholarship (GRS) awards are granted for one year, with renewal contingent upon satisfactory performance in academic and service obligations.
Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships
Graduate Assistantships and Teaching Assistantships require a minimum academic course load of 12 graduate credits each semester and include a full tuition scholarship and stipend (variable) for 15-20 weekly hours of service to the program as assigned. The student is responsible for the remainder of semester fees. The student must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain the assistantship.
Graduate Recruitment Scholarship
Graduate Recruitment Scholarships require a minimum academic course load of 12 graduate credits each semester and include a partial tuition scholarship and stipend of $975 per semester for 5 weekly hours of service to the program as assigned. The student must maintain a 3.0 GPA to retain the scholarship.
Deadline for Consideration
For full consideration for financial assistance, a completed application and all supporting documents must be received by Jan. 1. Later applications will be considered, but decisions will be contingent upon availability. Admission to the program is a prerequisite for all awards.
International students can include financial aid awards to meet the estimated expenses on the Financial Support form.
Estimated International Student Expenses
Graduation Requirements
Full Graduation Requirements and Courses in the Official Academic Catalog
The Communication and Development Studies M.A. Program requires a minimum of 48 credit hours, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and no more than two grades below B, and a capstone project.
Research Spotlight: Godsway Orison Otchere Studies Malaria Communication Strategies
Fall 2024-2025 Colloquium Series
Fridays, 3:05 PM - 4:25 PM
The colloquium is a forum for students in the Communication and Development program to come together to share ideas, participate in peer advising, and to present their work.
Students must have four credit hours of INST 5300 to graduate (1 credit each semester).
Students are encouraged to actively work with the Comm Dev program director to identify speakers – including those from inside and outside of the university – to present their work at colloquium.
Even if not enrolled for colloquium credits during a given semester, students will nonetheless be expected to occasionally attend specific types of colloquium activities.
Discovering Paulo Freire: CommDev Goes to Brazil
Contact Us
CommDev Studies Faculty Directory
Director: Dr. Saumya Pant
Communication & Development Studies Program
Yamada International House Room 116
56 E. Union St.
Athens, OH 45701
Email: pant@ohio.edu
Telephone:740-593-1833
Yamada International House is on the Ohio University College Green, at the top of Jefferson Hill and near Templeton Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
We invite you to stop into our office during normal business hours to learn more about the Communication and Development Studies program, as well as our other international programs.