Dec 02, 2024  
2017-2018 Catalog 
    
2017-2018 Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: Content may no longer be accurate.

Master of Professional Communication (MPC)


Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission into the WSU Master of Professional Communication program must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or be in the final stage of completing the degree. 

Applicants will submit:

  • Completed application with personal essay
  • Current resume
  • Official transcripts from every institution of higher education attended
  • Three letters of academic and/or professional recommendation

Additional Admission Requirements for International Students

All international students and any applicants educated outside the United States must demonstrate proficiency in English. Those whose native language is not English must submit an official score from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of 550 (paper-based) or 213 (computer-based). The score may not be more than two years old. Equivalent IELTS score is also accepted in place of TOEFL.

Acceptance into Program

Each applicant is accepted on an individual basis. Ideal applicants will present a strong overall academic record, positive letters of recommendation, and a record of professional accomplishment.  An ideal class will consist of working professionals with a wide variety of backgrounds in for-profit, government or non-profit organizations. Ethnic diversity is a plus. The MPC program will have limited enrollment.

Elective Courses from Other Universities

Related graduate-level courses from other universities may be accepted with permission of the MPC program director.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit must be approved by the program director and cannot exceed 12 hours. Transfer classes must be at an appropriate level and fulfill the objectives of the MPC. No courses for which credit was used to fulfill requirements of another degree may be used toward the MPC degree.

Grade Requirements

To earn the MPC degree, candidates must complete all graduate courses with a grade of B- or higher.  The overall program GPA must be 3.0 or higher. Failure to maintain a 3.0 grade point average, or two consecutive course sessions where a grade lower than B- has been earned, will result in academic probation in accordance with departmental policies.

Graduation Requirements

  1. 33 credit hours, at least 30 at the 6000-level. 
  2. Overall GPA of at least 3.0. 

Time for Degree Completion 

MPC students have a maximum of six calendar years to complete their degree requirements, starting from the first semester during which the student has registered and begun taking classes. Students who exceed this requirement may submit a letter of appeal to the MPC director to request that this requirement be waived. Students who fail to enroll in MPC courses for three consecutive semesters must apply for readmission to the program unless a deferment is approved by the program director. In order to ensure timely progress through the program, students must consult with an MPC advisor every Fall Semester. Students on the thesis/project track who, for any reason, do not finish their thesis or project or program of courses within the two-year framework suggested in this program, must pay continuing enrollment and tuition the semester they defend their thesis or project.

  • Program Code: 3066MPC
  • CIPC: ​090101

Course Requirements for MPC


Core Courses (12 credit hours)


 Choose four of the six courses in consultation with the MPC program director.

Electives (9 credit hours)


Students may choose EITHER the thesis/project track OR the coursework track

Thesis/Project Track (9 credit hours)


Coursework Track


Choose nine credit hours of electives in consultation with the MPC program director.

  • At least 6 credit hours must come from elective courses at the 6000 level.
  • No more than 3 credit hours of dual designated MPC courses at the 5000 level.

Elective Master’s-level Courses


6000-level Electives


Elective Interdisciplinary Courses


Students may select no more than two courses (six credit hours) from the following WSU master’s program courses (with the permission of the appropriate MPC graduate program advisor and/or fulfillment of prerequisite courses).  Interdisciplinary electives must be approved by the MPC program director.

Dual-Designation or “Swing” Courses


The following dual designation courses are designed to fill gaps in the undergraduate preparation of students who wish to command the broadest understanding of professional communication.  While the courses are accessible to students who have not taken the corresponding undergraduate courses, the graduate courses differ from undergraduate counterparts in demanding greater depth and breadth in all major aspects of each course such as reading, writing, presentation, projects, etc.  Of the 9 elective credit hours in the Master of Professional Communication degree, only 3 may be 5000-level courses and must be approved by the MPC program director before registration.