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

33 credit hours, at least 30 at the 6000-level.
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

Foundational Courses (12 credit hours)

MPC 6010 - Introduction to Graduate Study and Communication Theory Credits: (3)
MPC 6150 - Writing for Professional Communicators Credits: (3)
MPC 6210 - Presentational Speaking in the Workplace Credits: (3)
MPC 6700 - Research Methods for Professional Communication Credits: (3)

Core Courses (12 credit hours)

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

MPC 6100 - Team Building and Facilitation Credits: (3)
MPC 6300 - New Media in Professional Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 6350 - Visual Communication in the Workplace Credits: (3)
MPC 6400 - Leadership Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 6450 - Advanced Organizational Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 6600 - Strategic Communication Credits: (3)

Electives (9 credit hours)

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

Thesis/Project Track (9 credit hours)

MPC 6900 - Thesis/Project I Credits: (3)
MPC 6950 - Thesis/Project II Credits: (3)
3 credit hours of master’s level electives, chosen in consultation with the MPC program director.

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

MPC 6250 - Interviewing Credits: (3)
MPC 6500 - Topics in Professional Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 6620 - Conflict Resolution and Mediation Credits: (3)
Note: Students may also choose 6000-level courses from the list of core required courses above to count as 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.

MBA 6140 - Marketing Management Credits: (3)
MBA 6170 - Corporate Communications Credits: (3)
MBA 6530 - E-Business Credits: (3)
MBA 6540 - Negotiations Credits: (3)
MHA 6000 - Health Systems & the Healthcare Economy Credits: (3)
MHA 6400 - Strategic Health Planning and Marketing Credits: (3)
MED 6110 - Introduction to Classroom Management Credits: (3)
MED 6120 - Advanced Classroom Management Credits: (3)

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.

MPC 5080G - Intercultural Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 5090G - Gender and Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 5220G - Editing Credits: (3)
MPC 5440G - Public Relations Media and Campaigns Credits: (3)
MPC 5500G - Topics in Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 5650G - Communication Law Credits: (3)
MPC 5820G - Persuasive Communication Credits: (3)
MPC 5850G - Advertising Credits: (3)