Master Communication Skills and Leadership
Interpersonal and organizational communication are a complex and vital part of life in every part of the world. At the College of Communication and Information, students have the opportunity to engage in the scientific study of human communication with world-renowned faculty when they pursue a master’s degree with a concentration in communication studies.
UT offers a varied range of focus when it comes to studying the traditional communication disciplines. The professors are invested in their students, not only with the goal of developing bright scholars in the field, but also in shaping them to implement changes that are beneficial to society. I am grateful to continue my education at UTK in pursuit of my PhD this Fall of 2023. It’s great to be a Tennessee Vol!”
Kylie Julius (’23)
master’s alumna at the School of Communication Studies
Master’s Opportunities at Communication Studies
Residential Master’s
Our master’s program allows students to hone their research skills and expand their knowledge in the field of Communication Studies so they can be leaders in their field.
The College of Communication and Information’s master’s degree with a concentration in communication studies lets students choose to explore whether they want to delve into organizational or interpersonal communication research areas. Those who aren’t preparing for a career in academia find that the communication studies concentration gives them additional skills they can use to advance their careers in other areas, such as politics, law, leadership, and much more.
CCI’s Online Master’s
Strategic and Digital Communication Concentration
This online program is designed for the professional who wants to continue their education and learn more skills to advance themselves in their field. It is an interdisciplinary concentration that includes courses from the School of Communication Studies, as well as the other three schools within the College of Communication and Information.
Course Requirements
CMST 500 Thesis
(1-15) Grading Restriction: P/NP only.
Repeatability: May be repeated.
Comment(s): Admission to a degree program in Communication and Information required.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level -graduate
CMST 502 Registration for Use of Facilities
(1-15) Required for the student not otherwise registered during any semester when student uses university facilities and/or faculty time before degree is completed. Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only. Repeatability: May be repeated.
Credit Restriction: May not be used toward degree requirements.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 508 Quantitative Methods of Communication Research
(3)Principles and methods of conducting systematic empirical quantitative research in laboratory and natural settings. Emphasis on experimental, survey, and observational research design. Overview of data analysis techniques.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction (s): Minimum student level-graduate.
CMST 509 Qualitative and Ethnographic Methods of Communication Research
(3)Principles and methods of conducting systematic empirical quantitative research in laboratory and natural settings. Emphasis on ethnographic methods and field observation. Overview of data analysis techniques.
Credit level Restriction: Graduate Credit only.
Registration Restriction (s): Minimum student level-graduate.
CMST 520 Foundations of Interpersonal Communication Theory and Research
(3)Survey of major theoretical perspectives and examples of classic research in interpersonal communication.
Credit level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level-graduate.
CMST 522 Relational Communication
(3) Theory and research related to the study of close relationships. Emphasis on the role of communication in the initiation, maintenance, and dissolution of interpersonal relationships.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate
CMST 524 Interpersonal Conflict
(3) Communicative processes associated with the manifestations and experiences of interpersonal conflict. Exploration of theories, methodologies, and evolving trends.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level-graduate
CMST 526 Social Influence, Persuasion, and Compliance-Gaining
(3) Examination of social influence theory and practice. In-depth treatment of intentional, message-driven attitude and behavior change.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate Credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 550 Foundations of Organizational Communication Theory and Research
(3) Survey of major theoretical perspectives and examples of classic research in organizational communication.
Credit Level Registration: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 552 Group Communication
(3) Theories and practices related to developing and working in groups. Issues of development, decision-making, roles, interpersonal relations, and norms are examined.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 554 Organizational Communication, Strategic Leadership, and Culture
(3) Examines the relationships between organizational culture, ethics, leadership, and communication. Explores competing conceptualizations of organizational culture.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 556 Behavior and Communication in Organizations
(3) Study of communication within and between organizations. Consideration of micro-, meso-, and macro-level processes.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s): Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 590 Project
(3) Capstone project under guidance of faculty. Application of principles from previous course work.
Grading Restriction: Satisfactory/No Credit grading only.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Comment(s):Admission to a degree program in Communication and Information required.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s):Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 591 Foreign Study
(1-15) Independent study outside U.S. Prior to departure student must have plan of study approved by department head and supervising faculty member. Credit given only upon fulfilling all requirements set by department.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 15 hours.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s):Minimum student level – graduate.
CMST 592 Off-Campus Study/Internship
(1-6) Independent study outside traditional classroom setting: community involvement and/or work experiences. Credit given only upon fulfilling all requirements set by department.
Repeatability: May be repeated. Maximum 6 hours.
Credit Level Restriction: Graduate credit only.
Registration Restriction(s):Minimum student level – graduate.
We’re Here to Help!
Moonhee Cho
Director of College-Wide Graduate Programs
DeForrest Jackson Professor
