At both the masters and doctoral levels, the Department of Communication offers students the opportunity to deepen their knowledge and critical thinking skills while refining their ability to identify, analyze, and resolve complex issues. Our students deepen their understanding of the social, political, cultural, regulatory, technological, and economic aspects of contemporary society. Our programs offer challenging, dynamic and bilingual seminars for advanced research in the field of communication.

We offer an MA program (with thesis or research paper) and an MC program (with or without co-op option).

Master of Arts (MA)

The MA is research-based: students must take a certain number of compulsory and optional courses (4 for the thesis option, 6 for the research paper). Students then submit a research proposal in collaboration with a professor from the Department of Communication. The proposal is evaluated by one or more members of the faculty, after which students undertake their thesis (collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, writing up results, etc.). The MA program (which serves as a gateway to eventual doctoral studies) represents a unique opportunity to develop an area of expertise and specialization by doing original research. Students enrolled in this program develop skills related to data analysis and interpretation, methodology, the communication of results, etc.

• Master of Arts Communication

NEW! MA in Communication with a concentration in Health Communication

The University of Ottawa’s department of communication has an internationally recognized expertise in the field of communication and health. Students in this program have the opportunity to develop knowledge and expertise by exploring issues such as patient /healthcare provider communication; crisis and risk communication (e.g. health crises, public health crises); healthcare services in the context of telemedicine and telehealth; the design and use of digital health technologies; health communication strategies(such as for vulnerable populations); public health communication campaigns; and much more.

Overview

• Courses and seminars with research project (18 months)
• Basic courses in communication and health
• Digital health seminar: digital strategies, self-management, telemedicine and patient/provider communication, etc.
• Risk and crisis communication seminar, such as Covid-19
• Internship (optional credits)

• Master of Arts Communication

Master of Communication (MC)

Students in this program have the option of participating in a co-op program. In both the co-op and conventional options, students must take 10 courses. This program provides an opportunity for students to deepen their knowledge by participating in challenging and dynamic seminars. Students can also apply through the University of Ottawa’s co-op office for a limited number of co-op placements. This option makes it possible for selected students to gain work experience by completing two paid internships related to their field of study, for a period of one semester (four months) each. These internships will help them become more familiar with the labour market and develop a network with communication professionals.

• Master of Communication

These programs are offered in Canada’s two official languages, English and French.

The program focuses on two fields of research:  media studies and organizational communication.

The media studies field examines the content and the modes of operation of traditional and emerging media in their social, cultural, economic, political and regulatory contexts. 

Organizational communication focuses on interpersonal and group interactions; planning for internal and external communication in private, public, and non-profit organizations; risk/crisis communication; public relations; uses of information communication technologies within organizations, and so on. 

The program aims to develop in graduates the following skills: 

• Evaluate critically the theories, concepts and assumptions underlying media studies or organizational communication with particular attention to their chosen research interest.
• Demonstrate an ability to identify and work with the varying epistemological traditions developed by French-speaking and English-speaking scholars in communication studies.
• Contribute to the development of skills, theories, approaches, and materials for both academics and professionals.
• Analyze data and communicate research results to diverse audiences, including scholars, policymakers, and professionals in communication studies.

This is a high-level, fully bilingual research program, although students need only a passive understanding of their second language, and they may submit work in the language of their choice, English or French.

It is designed to allow students to work with internationally renowned scholars and to be involved in exciting research in a department with a strong culture of research.

• Doctorate in Philosophy Communication