The Department of Communication offers three graduate degrees: the Master of Arts, the Online Master of Science in Health Communication, and the Doctor of Philosophy. Study for the master's degree takes students beyond undergraduate work in both scope and depth to meet a variety of interests. Some M.A. students aspire to positions in business, in government, or in teaching, while others see the master's degree as one stage on the road to a doctoral program. Completion of the M.A. program of study requires a minimum of thirty-two hours of graduate credit. For a student holding a half-time assistantship, thirty-two hours can be completed in two semesters plus a summer session (though most students take more time than this). The program may include eight hours in courses outside the department. Each candidate builds an individualized program with the counsel of an adviser chosen by the student or assigned by the Director of Graduate Study. Each candidate must pass a final comprehensive examination prepared and supervised by the adviser and the candidate's examination committee based primarily on courses taken. A master's thesis is optional.Students in the M.A. program who wish to continue in the Ph.D. program must apply to do so. Admission to the Ph.D. program is not automatic but rather is based on evaluation of the student's total record including performance in the master's program and recommendations from department faculty.