Graduate Program in Communication Studies

The graduate program in Communication Studies at Sacramento State is a rigorous, methods-driven program designed to increase theoretical and applied understanding of human communication.

We are excited to foster an inclusive learning environment with students and faculty from all walks of life. In particular, we welcome students of all identities and cultural backgrounds, including international and first generation students.

Our courses are taught by award-winning faculty with expertise across communication studies, including Mass Media, Organizational, Health, International, Intercultural, Interpersonal, Rhetorical, Political and Instructional Communication.

The 30-unit program has an excellent track record of preparing students for doctoral study as well as entering communication professions. We offer:

With full-time coursework (six units per semester), students usually finish the program in two to three years, depending on their culminating experience option and personal obligations.

To learn more, please review the Catalog, which outlines admissions and program requirements; the Graduate Document; the FAQs below, and this interview about the program. For additional questions, contact Dr. Shawna Malvini Redden, Graduate Program Coordinator.

Please note: If you are interested in applying for our Spring 2024 cohort, applications will be due September 15, 2023. To apply for the Fall 2024 cohort, the priority deadline is January 15, 2024. Applications will be accepted, as space allows, until March 1, 2024.

One of the hallmarks of graduate education is working closely with faculty , in the classroom, conducting research, and on culminating experience committees. Below are the current graduate faculty members and their bios. Note: Emeritus signals that someone has retired from regular employment, but still retains privileges as a graduate faculty member. To contact faculty or visit office hours, see the Department of Communication Studies.

Dr. Kimberly Aguilar, Assistant ProfessorDr. Diego Bonilla, ProfessorDr. Carlos Flores, Assistant ProfessorDr. Michele Foss-Snowden, ProfessorDr. Elaine Gale, ProfessorDr. Cheng Hong, Assistant ProfessorDr. Jacqueline A. Irwin, ProfessorDr. Mark Ludwig, ProfessorDr. Shawna Malvini Redden, Associate ProfessorDr. Christine Miller, ProfessorDr. Morgan Morley, Assistant ProfessorDr. Barbara Myslik, Assistant ProfessorDr. Kiko Omori, Associate Professor (on sabbatical until Fall 2024)Dr. Gerri Smith, Professor EmeritusDr. Carmen Stitt, ProfessorDr. Mark Stoner, Professor EmeritusDr. Andrea Terry, Assistant ProfessorDr. John Williams, Professor EmeritusDr. Mark Williams, Professor (on sabbatical until Fall 2023)Dr. Nate Woo, Assistant ProfessorDr. David Zuckerman, Professor

Graduate Faculty Bios & Photos

Q: Don’t I need straight As to get into grad school? A: No. We require a 3.0 cumulative GPA, or a 3.25 in the last 60 units. If you don’t meet the GPA minimum, we recommend that you successfully complete some additional courses, preferably upper division communication courses, to raise it.

Q: What about pre-reqs?A: There aren’t any, per se, although you might be asked to take extra undergraduate methods courses in rhetorical and/or quantitative methods if you earned less than a B- in your methods courses or did not complete any during your undergraduate program. These classes would count toward your M.A.

Q: Any advice for the academic writing samples?A: Yes. Submit examples of your best academic writing that show your ability to critique and analyze ideas. Get feedback from peers and professors, and revise old class papers or create something new. It is preferrable that these writing samples are substantive and address communication studies, although any subject is acceptable.

Q: What type of GRE scores are you looking for?A: None. We have removed the GRE as an admissions requirement due to evidence that it is biased against people of color, women, and those of lower socio-economic status, in addition to not being very useful in predicting success in graduate school according to several research studies. You are welcome to submit GRE scores, but they are not required.

Q: Is the program compatible with working professionals?A: Absolutely. Most of our students work full time during the day and take classes in the afternoon or evening. Our courses are almost exclusively offered in the late afternoon or evening.

Q: How many classes do grad students usually take per semester?A: Usually two three-unit classes or the equivalent. Full time graduate study is considered six units, in terms of workload. (Full time for financial aid purposes is 8 units)

Q: How much does the grad program cost?A: For in-state students, tuition is $5,906 per year, including fees (taking six units per semester). For non-residents, there is an extra fee of $396 per unit. (Current as of January 2023)

Q: Are grad students eligible for financial aid and grants?A: Yes. Turn in your FAFSA early!

Q: Is there funding available?A: Yes. We offer funding in the form of the Graduate Assistant and Teaching Associate programs. The GA salary is approximately $1,815 per semester, per lab section taught (spread over five months). The TA salary is approximately $7,524 per semester for two courses (spread over six months). [Salary information current as of August 2022]

Q: Advice for the application materials?A: Proofread carefully, customize materials to our program, and get everything submitted on time. For statements of purpose and personal statements, we strongly recommend answering the questions listed in the Application Process section.

Q: What if I don't have three professors to write letters of rec?A: While our preference is for letters of recommendation to come from professors who can speak to your preparation for graduate level education, we do accept letters from employers and references who know you well.

Unique among many master’s-level graduate programs, the Communication Studies department at Sacramento State offers the opportunity for paid graduate student teaching.

Typically, new graduate students will start out as Graduate Assistants, who work closely with an instructor who delivers course content. GAs lead lab sections and grade speeches. After gaining experience in the classroom, they usually become Teaching Associates who design and lead their own classes as instructors of record. (Exceptions to this apply if you have teaching experience already.)

GAs and TAs work closely with faculty mentors to hone their teaching abilities and prepare. Likewise, we offer two seminars to support teaching (Instructional Communication Theory and Practicum) and rotating one-unit modules about teaching topics such as syllabus development, giving effective feedback, active learning, and more.

Graduate students who participate in the GA/TA program leave well prepared to teach in the community college system, as part-time faculty at Sacramento State or other CSUs, and in doctoral programs. Indeed, our alumni work in our department, as well as at universities and community colleges across the country. Graduate students who work as GAs and TAs also learn important leadership skills that translate to other work environments, including public speaking, leading large groups, exam and evaluation, and giving constructive feedback.

The GA salary is $1,815 per semester, per lab section taught (spread over five months). GAs may teach up to three lab sections per semester. The TA salary is $7,524 per semester for two courses (spread over six months). (Salary information as of August 2022)

For more details about the positions, requirements, and application process, please see the application forms:

Intercontinental Radio Communications With The Help Of Fly Fishing Reels

All of us have experience in trying to explain to a confused store assistant exactly what type of kitchen implement you’re looking for, and why it is a perfectly suitable part for your autonomous flying lawn mower. Or in the case of [MM0OPX] trying to find fly fishing reels that are suitable for his  Adjustiwave multi-band VHF-HF  ham radio antenna.

HF radios allow intercontinental communication but require very large antennas which can be tricky to tune properly, and this antenna helps ease both these problems. The basic configuration is quarter wave, linear loaded (folded), vertical antenna. A quarter wave length radiator wire runs up a fibreglass pole, folds over the top, and comes back down, to form a shorter, more practical antenna while remaining the required length. Ground plane radial wires are usually added to improve performance by helping to reflect signals into antenna.

[MM0OPX] expanded this concept by using two pairs of fly fishing reels to quickly adjust the length of the radiators and radials. One reel holds the actual antenna wire while the second holds fishing braid, which is tied to the end of the wire to provided tension. The radials wire is exactly the same, it just runs across the ground.

The four reels are mounted to a plastic junction box, which houses the feed line connector and matching transformer, which is attached to the base of a fibreglass pole with hydraulic pipe clamps. Each wire is marked with heat shrink at defined points to allow quick tuning for the different frequencies. [MM0OPX] tried a couple of wire types and found that 1 mm stainless steel cable worked best.

This being Hackaday, we are big fans of repurposing things, especially when the end product is greater than the sum of its parts, as is the case here. Check out the walk around and build discussion videos after the break.

If you’re keen to get your ham radio license and try your hand at HF, it’s possible to get a fully featured µBITX transceiver kit to build your own, as well as an antenna analyser, all thanks to [Ashhar Farhan]’s RF hacking skills.

Department of Communication

Graduating with professional experience and global perspectives, communication students embark on successful careers in journalism, marketing, technical editing, public relations and more.

Students in Drexel University’s Department of Communication gain broad theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience as they work toward successful careers in public relations, corporate communication, social media management, journalism, digital storytelling, media analytics, audience research and countless areas in which strategic communication and media skills are essential.

The Communication bachelor’s program offers three distinct concentrations: Public Relations, Journalism, and Communications and Media Studies. Students in all communications concentrations gain up to 18 months of real-world career experience in Drexel’s renowned cooperative education (co-op) program.

At the graduate level, the Department of Communication offers a Master of Science in Strategic and Digital Communication that provides an outstanding foundation for communication careers in the 21st century. The program prepares you to succeed in various media environments and platforms, as well as in communication contexts that are characterized by advanced digitization. The department also offers a Master of Science in Communication, Culture and Media as well as a Doctorate in Communication, Culture and Media.

Unlike other universities that offer communication degrees, Drexel's renowned cooperative education program gives students experience through up to three, six-month periods of full-time employment. During this time, students explore their career options, strengthen their résumés and build a professional network in the process of attending a school of communication.

Students in all concentrations conduct co-ops with industry leaders, including:

Learn more about the Drexel Co-Op Program

Graduates of Drexel’s undergraduate and graduate Communication majors enjoy successful careers in print and broadcast journalism, public relations, media relations, corporate communication and countless other areas. Most have gone on to work for regional and national corporations. For others, the flexible degree has been the springboard to top graduate programs, business and law schools.

Discover career possibilities with your degree from Drexel:

The following organizations provide resources and experience to current students as early as freshman year:

Ready to take the first step in choosing a communication program? To discover the best fit for you, review our Communication degree programs.

We invite you to get firsthand information about a Drexel education – apply for a degree in communication or visit campus. Contact the Department of Communication Administrator, Sharon Wallace, at skw@drexel.edu for more information.

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