Interpersonal Communication

Graduate Interpersonal Communications Courses

The School of Interpersonal Communication expects its graduates to develop a specialist's depth in the study of human communication, as well as a generalist's perspective. Individualized programs of study are emphasized, though all students are required to complete five required courses listed under each degree program.

The school offers M.A. and Ph.D. degrees. Primary areas of study include interpersonal communication, organizational communication, and rhetorical and communication theory. Emerging areas of emphasis may be selected as primary areas of study in consultation with your advisory committee and with permission of the school's graduate committee.

Admission to graduate study is granted on the basis of recommendations of those familiar with your academic and other work, undergraduate and graduate grade-point average and class standing, scores on the Graduate Record Examination, submitted writing sample, and experiential and other non formal learning.

Students with a strong background in communication studies are eligible to be selected as graduate teaching associates. Applicants at both the M.A. and Ph.D. levels are considered for associateships. Graduate teaching associates serve as instructors in basic courses, assist in teaching advanced courses, help with the forensic program, or join faculty in research projects.

Applications for admission are accepted at any time. The graduate committee begins reviewing applications by early January, so early application is encouraged. April 1 is the date by which the school makes the majority of its financial awards to graduate students.

Master's Program

Earning a master's degree requires that you complete 45 hours, 40 of which must be in the classroom. The other five hours are awarded by completing either a thesis, a research paper, or a professional project.

M.A. candidates must maintain at least a 3.0 g.p.a. in all university work, a g.p.a. of at least 3.0 in all school courses, and no grade below a B- in any course in the program of study.

A maximum of 12 quarter hours of graduate credit with grades of B or better may be accepted by transfer from approved institutions that offer the master's degree, provided the transferred coursework is acceptable to your advisory committee and is not more than five years old. At least 33 hours of graduate credit must be earned on the Athens campus.

All M.A. students are required to take INCO 600 Introduction to Graduate Study, INCO 610 Theories of Communication, INCO 618 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication, INCO 630 Organizational Communication, and INCO 640 History of Rhetorical Theory.

In addition to a full complement of daytime offerings, each quarter the school schedules a select number of graduate courses during evening hours. Contact the school for further details regarding these evening offerings.

Doctoral Program

To be admitted unconditionally, you must have received a master's degree or completed equivalent work (as approved by the graduate committee) at an accredited institution. If your master's degree did not include a thesis, you must present for evaluation by the graduate committee other evidence of your scholarly writing ability. Additional evidence of your ability to pursue study at the doctoral level is required, as documented from previous personal, professional, and academic experiences.

Required for the Doctor of Philosophy are 72 quarter hours of non dissertation credit beyond the master's degree (or its equivalent), demonstration of research competency, and completion of a satisfactory dissertation. A maximum of 16 quarter hours of post-master's degree graduate credit with B or better grades may be accepted by transfer from approved institutions that offer post-master's (doctoral-level) work for application to your primary area, and 8 hours of such work for application to each related area, provided the transfer work is not more than five years old and is acceptable to your advisory committee, the graduate committee, and the associate provost for graduate studies and research. At least 48 quarter hours of doctoral credit must be earned on the Ohio University campus. At least three consecutive quarters must be spent in full-time status on the Athens campus.

All Ph.D. students are required to take INCO 600 Introduction to Graduate Study, INCO 610 Theories of Communication, INCO 618 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication, INCO 630 Organizational Communication, and INCO 640 History of Rhetorical Theory.

University Publications and Computer Services revised this file ( https://www.ohio.edu/~gcat/97-99/areas/inco.htm ) June 1, 1998.

Please e-mail comments or suggestions to " gcat@www.ohiou.edu ."