Under the MRP option, students will take the two required courses (CS600 and CS601) and four elective courses in Communication Studies or a related area plus CS695*: Major Research Paper. You will take three courses in both the fall and winter terms. Under faculty supervision, you will complete your MRP in the summer.

The MRP is considered to be similar to a thesis in the quality and originality of research, but less than a thesis in scope. Research topics will be approved by the student’s advisory committee, which will normally consist of a supervisor and a second committee member (or reader). MRPs will be approximately 50 to 60 pages in length, not including bibliography and notes.

On completion of the MRP, the supervisor, any readers, and the Graduate Coordinator will determine if any revisions or further drafts are required. The MRP is graded on a pass/fail basis and there is no oral defence.

In exceptional circumstances, students may be allowed to complete the thesis option instead of the MRP option.

Students in the thesis option will take four one-term courses plus CS699: Thesis, consisting of the two required courses (CS600 and CS601) and two elective courses. The thesis shares the same basic properties and structure of the MRP, but is considerably larger in scope (100-120 pages) and must contain a substantive amount of original scholarly research.

Students wishing to write a thesis should consult with the graduate program director during the fall term of their first year. A thesis abstract, of approximately 500 words, is due December 15 to the graduate co-ordinator. The abstract, along with the student's academic record from the fall term, will be assessed by the graduate co-ordinator and the graduate committee and, if approved, a supervisory committee will be established. Students will be notified of the committee's decision within three weeks of the submission deadline. The committee will then decide upon a work schedule, using the MRP guidelines as a template.

On completion of the thesis, students will be expected to pass an oral defence of the work by an examining committee, which will include the student’s supervisor and reader(s), and an external examiner who is at arm’s length from the student. The purpose of the oral defence is to demonstrate to the examiners that the candidate fully understands the work that was completed, how the research was completed, and the meaning and significance of the findings and conclusions. The candidate must have a clear understanding of how the work fits with the relevant literature and/or practice. The thesis is graded on a pass/fail basis.

Coursework-only option students will take eight one-term courses.

The MA in Communication Studies program offers a Co-operative Education option. Co-op students have the unique opportunity to obtain paid employment and professional communication experience in non-profit organizations, the public sector, community groups, and organizations in creative industries. Co-op students are encouraged to pursue work terms in sectors and roles that align with their research interests.

The co-op option is a competitive entry and a limited enrolment option available to full-time students. Students in the co-op option complete their coursework in the fall and winter terms (September to April), have their co-op work term in the spring/summer (May to August), and write their major research paper or thesis in the subsequent fall semester (September to December), typically completing all MA program requirements in approximately 16 months.

How to Apply

Applicants indicate their interest in being considered for co-op when they apply to the MA program. Admission to the co-op option is not guaranteed by admission to the MA program in Communication Studies. Laurier’s Co-op Office conducts interviews with shortlisted applicants and makes co-op option admission decisions.

Students who apply to the co-op option should not apply to the regular stream. If the co-op application is not recommended by Laurier’s Co-op Office, the application will be moved to the regular stream by the department.

Work Term Process

The Co-op Office administers the work term application process. Students are required to apply to job postings and interview with prospective employers. While employment cannot be guaranteed, every effort is made to ensure that suitable employment is available for students admitted to the option. Students are welcome to seek out employment positions independently; however, these positions must be approved by the Co-op Office in order to be designated as co-op work terms.

Co-op students are required to pay co-op fees. Following their work term, co-op students are also required to submit to the graduate coordinator a short paper about their employment experience in relation to their coursework and/or research project. Co-op students must be registered in CS695: Major Research Paper or CS699: Thesis in their final semester in the program.

Additional information and regulations are available on the Co-op website.

• Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (honours) degree or equivalent.
• Minimum B+ in your undergraduate major program of study and a B+ overall for your last two years of study.
• Applications are reviewed by the graduate program committee, which considers all prior university grades, a statement of research interests, a writing sample and letters of reference.

After you have submitted your OUAC application, paid the non-refundable application fee, and Laurier has received your application, you'll receive an email from gradadmissions@wlu.ca advising you to upload the additional required documentation to Laurier’s Online Registration and Information System (LORIS).

Please note, the application process and the uploading of supplemental documentation, which includes references, typically takes two weeks. To avoid disappointment, apply early.

An application for admission to our MA program in Communication Studies must include:

• The Application Summary, which is generated after you complete your OUAC application (log back in to OUAC to retrieve it).
• Transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work.
• A completed statement of intent.
• A resume of your academic and work experience. Include a history of your publication and scholarly paper activity and any other information you feel will interest the admissions committee.
• A sample of your scholarly writing (10-20 pages in length). This may be a paper written for a senior undergraduate course.
• Completed reference forms. Two academic references are required. Note: Reference forms are electronically submitted to Laurier by the referee and do not need to be uploaded.

Visit our Graduate Admissions Toolkit for more information about applying. Applications will be considered until the program is full. 

Proficiency in written and spoken English is essential to graduate studies at Laurier. Applicants whose language of instruction during their previous postsecondary education was not in English must submit evidence of proficiency in English. If applicable, results from accepted testing services must be uploaded to LORIS.