MA in Communication Arts
In order to effectively teach, you must be able to communicate information and engage students in the learning process. Webster's master of art degree in Communication Arts provides the opportunity to choose one of 11 emphasis areas, and develop creative methods to reach and teach specific student populations.
You may want to explore methods of integrating students into mainstream classes through a study emphasis on inclusive education. Or learn about educational technology designed to excite kids and enhance their learning experiences. You can even study theoretical and practical developments that will help you teach English as a second language.
Communication Arts students are encouraged to learn by doing and, by doing, expand those skills essential to their professional growth. Courses and experiences in communications allow you to earn state certification, explore career alternatives, and enhance your professional standing. Selected courses in the Communication Arts major are available online that enable you to earn your master's degree from anywhere in the world.
Degree emphasis areas include: Aesthetic Education, Educational Technology, General Communication Arts, Inclusive Education, International Languages and Cultures, Language Arts, Media Literacy, Reading, Teaching English as a Foreign Language (online only), Teaching English as a Second Language (also online only), and Writing.
Points of Distinction
- Experienced faculty provide students with the knowledge, experiences, and practical tools that help them guide both themselves and others toward life-long learning.
- Personalized approaches create a challenging, yet supportive environment that permits the risk-taking necessary for learning and growth.
- Thought and action process underscores the development of an inner-directed self-understanding, an outer-directed global perspective, and an appreciation of human diversity that arises from both.
Requirements
All communication arts majors, regardless of the emphasis chosen, are required to take certain courses. See the program details for more information.
Emphasis in Aesthetic Education
The aesthetic education emphasis developed out of Webster's conviction that experiences and learning in the arts are organizing frameworks for liberal education and modern life. The program is designed to develop teachers' skills, theoretical understanding, and creativity while they learn to integrate the arts into the daily classroom curriculum. In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, 12 credit hours of appropriate coursework are required.
Emphasis in Educational Technology
In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, 12 credit hours are needed for the emphasis. See the program details for more information.
Emphasis in General Communication Arts
The general communications emphasis is individualized for the professional seeking flexibility in designing a master's degree. Options for earning credit exist in coursework, independent projects, and practica. The general communications degree is designed by the student and faculty advisor.
Emphasis in Inclusive Education
The emphasis in inclusive education is designed to provide classroom teachers and regular and special educators at the preschool, elementary, and secondary levels with the knowledge base, practical applications, and strategies necessary for implementing a successful inclusive education program, appropriate to the diverse needs of students in today's regular classroom.
This emphasis will enable practicing teachers to investigate issues and examine strategies that relate to the education of all students, regardless of ability, in their local school. In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, students must complete at least 12 credit hours of appropriate coursework related to inclusive education.
See special education course listings for the emphasis area requirements and course descriptions.
Emphasis in International Languages and Cultures
The international languages and cultures emphasis provides students with the opportunity to improve their listening comprehension, reading, writing, and oral skills in content-oriented courses in French, German and Spanish taught at the advanced level. French, German and Spanish courses are offered in rotation in a variety of formats and content. Although the classes cover different periods and genres of literatures, the focus of the program is on oral communication and a deep understanding and appreciation of the language and culture.
In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, French, German and Spanish students must take a minimum of 12 credit hours of appropriate coursework in the language of their emphasis.
Candidates for this emphasis must be approved by the Department of International Languages and Cultures.
Emphasis in Language Arts
The language arts emphasis provides the opportunity for intensive exploration of written, oral, dramatic, and visual forms of communication. Knowledge of content and a theoretical background in language arts enable teachers to communicate effectively. Students are encouraged to experiment with various communicative and creative forms and become familiar with curricula concepts which facilitate student-oriented approaches to learning.
Students desiring to specialize in elementary or secondary language arts should design a formal program of study with their advisor. In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, 12 credit hours of appropriate coursework are required.
Emphasis in Media Literacy
The media literacy emphasis is designed to provide teachers with the ability to access, understand, analyze, evaluate and create media messages on television, the Internet and other technologies. By helping the teachers interpret the many messages we receive each day through these sources, we expect these teachers to help future generations of student's do the same. In essence, the media literate teacher will apply the same thinking skills used in reading, writing, speaking and critical analysis to the media, and ultimately integrate these skills into the classroom to be used by students.
In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, students pursuing this emphasis may choose 12 credit hours from certain courses.
Emphasis in Reading
The reading emphasis allows educators to master teaching and assessment necessary in guiding students to develop proficiency and fluency in reading. Webster University emphasizes graduate education for teachers that has direct application to the classroom.
In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, 12 credit hours of appropriate coursework in reading are required.
Emphasis in Teaching English as a Foreign Language (available online only)
Teaching English as a foreign language (TEFL) is designed for teachers who develop English skills in non-native speakers overseas or adults living in the United States in private language classrooms and business/technology training programs. In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, the following 12 credit hours of TEFL courses are required. This emphasis does not lead to the Webster University TEFL Certificate.
Emphasis in Teaching English as a Second Language (available online only)
The emphasis in teaching English as a second language (TESL) is designed for preK-12 teachers faced with non-English speakers in regular or bilingual U.S. classrooms. In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts requirements, 12 credit hours from certain courses are needed. This emphasis does not lead to Missouri ESOL Certification.
Emphasis in Writing
The writing emphasis allows educators to master teaching and assessment necessary in guiding students to develop proficiency, fluency, creativity and style in writing. It promotes the graduate students' own development in various facets of effective writing, such as writing for a purpose, for an audience, and as a creative endeavor. Courses focus on various types and styles of writing appropriate in particular contexts, so academic, creative and professional writing are explored in a variety of courses. A Webster University Certificate in Writing is also available.
In addition to the 15 credit hours of communication arts MA requirements, 12 credit hours of appropriate coursework in writing are required.
Additional Information