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 nonformal learning. International students from non-English speaking countries are required to submit a TOEFL-score. International students applying for associateships also should submit a TSE score.

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 typically reviewed during January, February, and March. In order for an application to receive priority treatment (i.e., to be among the batch of files receiving initial consideration with respect to both entry and financial assistance), the file should be complete no later than February 1. The majority of the decisions are made by April 15. Files received after March 15 are at a significant disadvantage.

Admission is typically granted for the fall quarter. Students wishing to begin studies at a different point during the academic year must petition the Graduate Committee for permission.

Master's Program

Earning a master's degree requires that you complete 45 hours plus one of four capstone activities: a thesis, a research paper, a professional project, or master's examinations. Students electing the master's examination option complete all 45 hours in class work. Students electing one of the other three options complete 40 hours in course work with the remaining five hours completed as thesis or research hours.

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 640 History of Rhetorical Theory, one five-credit research methods course approved by their program advisor and committee, and either INCO618 Seminar in Interpersonal Communication or INCO 630 Organizational Communication.

Doctoral Program

To be admitted unconditionally, you must have received a bachelor's and a master's degree or completed equivalent work (as approved by the University) at an accredited institution. You must present for evaluation by the graduate committee 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.

The Doctor of Philosophy requires 72 quarter hours of nondissertation 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. Transfer work may not be more than five years old and must be acceptable to the student's advisor and advisory committee, the school's graduate committee, and the associate provost for graduate studies. All 16 hours may be applied to the student's primary area; a maximum of eight transfer hours may be applied to the student's related area. 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/01-03/areas/inco.htm) September 26, 2001.

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