*Gainful Employment

We invite students to participate in our mission to foster the co-creation of better social worlds through positive communication. As part of the eLearning online campus, our courses are offered in synchronous and asynchronous formats. Our 7000-level courses are offered synchronously over zoom, and our 5000-level courses are offered in an asynchronous format. Students can also be main campus students if so desired, but our required program classes are offered over zoom synchronously.

We co-create highly engaged online courses that build community while focusing on three big questions across our coursework:

• What are we creating in our communication?

• What do we want to create in our communication?

• What communication practices will facilitate what we want to create?

Our mission-driven curriculum fosters a strong knowledge base grounded in communication theory and its various applications, such as management, consulting, human resources, training, organization development, relational communication, health care, education, and public relations. An undergraduate background in communication is helpful but is not required.

We achieve our mission by having students complete class and final projects primarily focused on six communication applications: (a) communication and organizational culture analysis; (b) communication and transformation/change; (c) positive interpersonal communication; (d) conflict management; (e) crisis and renewal communication; and (f) experiential learning in presentations and training.

Individualized Focus Area

The above six applications launch students into their areas of focus or emphasis. Elective courses, projects within required classes, and the final M.A. project involve students in tailoring their program to fit their goals

To support your career development, we will aid you in connecting with our diverse alumni network. You will find support for an array of emphasis areas, such as internal and external communication, public health, health communication, conflict mediation, business leadership, and management, consulting, human resources, training, organization development, intercultural/diversity initiatives, non-profit leadership, relational communication, health care, education, and public relations.

Students may concurrently enroll in a variety of certificates, such as Conflict Mediation, Human Resources/Organizational Communication; Nonprofit Management (main campus only), and Strategic Communication. Furthermore, the UA Little Rock MBA program has identified a set of courses for those interested in a Business focus area. These certificates, depending on students’ interests, may require one or two additional courses, but in some cases can be completed as part of the M.A. in Applied Communication Studies

Students with an interest in doctoral work gain a solid foundation in applied communication research and theory. These students benefit from the personal attention of faculty devoted to preparing them for the next step in their education. Alumni from our master’s program have served as professors at schools ranging from Purdue and Clemson to Kansas State and the Clinton School of Public Service.

Application Materials:

Send directly to UA Little Rock Graduate School

• Official transcripts from ALL previously attended colleges and universities
• $40 application fee
• Copy of your government-issued photo ID
• If applying to the main campus program (vs. online program), proof of 2 MMR vaccines

Send directly to the Applied Communication graduate coordinator:

• 300-500 word professional statement indicating your goals and fit with the program
• 2 writing samples from previous coursework or approved professional writing samples showing potential for graduate work. If academic or professional writing samples are not available, the graduate coordinator will provide writing prompts to guide in developing samples 
• A list of 3 academic and/or professional references with contact information (do not have letters sent)
• Resume or curriculum vitae

Important facts about the application process

• International students should refer to the Graduate School International Student Admission Policy for additional required application materials and limitations for entry based on the offering of 7000-level required courses synchronously over zoom.
• Applicants are reviewed and offered admission based on qualifications for admission in light of the number of available slots in the program. In some cases, admission may need to be deferred until slots are available. 
• Admissions criteria are based on two categories: regular and special conditional admission, as outlined below.

Admission Criteria:

Regular Admission

Applicants seeking regular admission must meet one of the following requirements:

• A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale from an institutionally or regionally accredited domestic institution or an international institution recognized by the International Association of Universities with substantially the same undergraduate program as found at UA Little Rock
• A baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale in the last 60 undergraduate hours (including post-baccalaureate hours)
• An advanced degree (master’s or doctoral) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale from an institutionally or regionally accredited domestic institution or an international institution recognized by the International Association of Universities.

Applicants must also fulfill the following:

• Writing samples must receive a 2.5 on a 3.0 rating scale demonstrating readiness for graduate-level work by the graduate faculty selection committee.
• Be a good fit for the program based on your professional statement, resume/curriculum vitae, and references.

Important facts about regular admission:

 ▪ An unofficial transcript for preliminary review should be sent to the graduate coordinator. This process will help identify if you need preparatory post-baccalaureate coursework and/or ACOM 7390 after admission, in addition to the 33 hours required for the program.

 ▪ A 3.0 GPA must be met to maintain regular admission status. A GPA dropping below 3.0 will result in academic probation for a semester to allow the GPA to be raised. Students not raising their GPA to 3.0 will be suspended from the program.

Special Conditional Admission

Students who have supplied all admission materials and did not meet all requirements for regular admission may be admitted as special conditional students. Students seeking admission for special conditional admission must meet all of the following requirements:

▪ A baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA between 2.0 and 2.69 on a 4.0 scale from an institutionally or regionally accredited domestic institution or an international institution recognized by the International Association of Universities with substantially the same undergraduate program found at UA Little Rock.

▪ Writing samples receiving a 2.5 on a 3.0 rating scale demonstrating readiness for graduate-level work by the graduate faculty selection committee.

▪ Be a good fit for the program based on your professional statement, resume/curriculum vitae, and references.

Important facts about special conditional admission:

• Special conditional admission applicants are reviewed and offered admission based on qualifications for admission in light of the number of special conditional admission slots available in the program. In some cases, special conditional admission may need to be deferred until slots are available.
• The student may be moved to regular admission status after completing 9 hours if he or she maintains a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The student will be dismissed after the first 9 hours if the GPA is not at least 3.0 or satisfactory progress is not being made toward meeting regular admission requirements.
• Graduate assistantships are not offered to special conditional applicants.

Early Entry Admission

Exceptional UA Little Rock undergraduate students working toward a major or minor in Applied Communication Studies may apply and be accepted to the MAACS program and begin working towards their graduate degree while completing their baccalaureate degree. The Early Entry program will allow participating students to combine their undergraduate studies with graduate-level coursework. Additionally, it will enable them to complete their graduate degree in a shorter amount of time than the traditional path.

Early Entry Admission Requirements

• Undergraduate students who are majoring or minoring in one of the undergraduate programs in Applied Communication may apply and be accepted any time after completing 75 or more hours of undergraduate coursework. However, at least 90 hours of undergraduate coursework must have been completed by the time the first graduate course is taken.
• All applicants must have at least a 3.0 overall GPA in all their undergraduate coursework, and a 3.2 GPA in 12 or more hours in our program, including ACOM 2310, 2311, 3320, and one additional ACOM or equivalent class.
• All applicants must complete an application and be accepted into the desired graduate program and the UA Little Rock Graduate School. • All applicants must complete an Early-Entry program form and have it approved by the graduate coordinator and the Graduate School. This form must be approved before the student begins graduate coursework. Failure to obtain prior approval negates the ability to “double count” courses.

Alternative Pathways to Admission

If an applicant does not meet regular or special conditional admission requirements but can document a substantive career record that suggests the experience, maturity, and aptitude for graduate work, they may have the option of working with the graduate selection committee for an alternative pathway to admission. This path will vary depending on the factors that prevented the applicant from receiving regular or special conditional admission (e.g., a low score on writing samples or GPA). Additional undergraduate coursework may be recommended before reapplying.

Special, non-degree-seeking students—students not seeking a degree at UA Little Rock—who have completed all admission forms and have an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.7 (2.0 for special conditional admission) may be admitted as special, non-degree-seeking students. Enrollment in this category of special students involves consultation with the graduate coordinator and the Graduate School.

Transient students enrolled in another institutionally or regionally accredited graduate school and who secure a letter of good standing from the dean of that graduate school may be admitted to UA Little Rock as transient students.

Graduate Assistantships

A limited number of graduate assistantships for master’s-level students are available. Contact the program coordinator for information. The deadline for application is March 15 or until qualified students are found for available positions.

Program Requirements

Required 7000-level courses in the program are offered in the evening and on weekends in a synchronous online format. Coursework can be completed in two calendar years. Students are required to complete 33 credit hours, which includes 24 core hours (8 courses), plus 6 elective hours (2 courses) and a final project (3 hours). The 24-hour core (8 courses) can begin either in the summer or at the start of the fall semester and must be completed in sequence. Students desiring to start the program in the spring semester can work with the program coordinator to identify electives to take. Two courses (6 hours) of electives are offered during summer semesters, but students seeking to take additional hours during the fall or spring may elect to do so. The final project (  ACOM 8301 - Master’s Research Paper    ) grows from first-year coursework, and students are guided to complete this project during their second year.