Communication B.A. to M.A. Accelerated Program
The Communication B.A. to M.A. program enables students to complete a bachelor’s degree in Communication and a graduate M.A. degree in Communication in five years if one summer course is taken in years three, four, and five. This accelerated program allows students to complete three graduate level courses while pursuing the undergraduate degree and pay undergraduate rates for those courses.
It is recommended, but not a requirement, that students complete the core requirements and apply to the program at the end of the first semester of their junior year.
Admission Criteria
Admission to the Accelerated Communication B.A. to M.A. program is granted only by the department.
1. To be considered for admission students must complete the major core requirements in Communication by the end of their junior year:
2. Students must have an overall GPA of at least 3.0 and a GPA in the major of at least 3.5 to enter the program.
3. If approved for the program by the department, students will receive deferred admission status into the graduate M.A. program. Upon completion of the B.A. degree, students who have maintained an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and earned a minimum grade of B in each of their graduate courses will be formally admitted to the M.A. program.
If admitted to the program, 12-credits of graduate courses will apply to the bachelor’s degree and also count for graduate credit. Courses eligible to be double-counted must be at the 5000-level, and each must be passed with a minimum grade of B. Independent study courses, internships or courses given for credit by examination are not eligible. Successful completion of major core requirements with a 3.0 GPA does not guarantee admission.
Once accepted into the program, students will take COM 5000 (in place of the B.A. capstone); COM 5001 (in place of a COM elective or area group requirement); and COM 5100 or 5101 or a COM MA Elective (in place of a COM elective or area group requirement).
4. Students who opt not to continue on with full admission to the M.A. program in their senior undergraduate year must meet with a faculty adviser to ensure they have met the requirements for graduation.
How to Apply
Students who have completed the required courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 must complete and submit a Declaration of Eligibility Form available in the department office or online. The eligibility form must be returned to the department office.
*Transfer students will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
** Students must maintain an overall 3.0 GPA to remain in the accelerated degree program.
Additional Information
In addition to these major requirements, students must complete the Oakland University General Education Requirements , the College of Arts and Sciences College Exploratory Requirement, and an appropriate number of free elective classes to meet the overall credit requirement for the undergraduate degree (in most cases 124; some degrees may require a greater number).
As a general rule, no more than eight credits of course work used to satisfy one major, minor or concentration may be applied toward another, but exceptions to this rule may be allowed with the written approval of the program coordinators.