Communication Degrees Online

B.S. in SE / Accelerated M.S. in Telecommunications at George Mason University

Students who are in the Bachelor of Science in Systems Engineering (BSSE) program may elect to enter an accelerated Master of Science in Telecommunications (MS in TCOM) program while they are undergraduate students. The accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM Program is designed for qualified undergraduate students in the Systems Engineering program who would like to proceed directly into the MS in TCOM program, completing the two degrees with 144 credit hours. Accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM students must satisfy both the requirements for the BS/SE. undergraduate degree (a total of 120 credit hours) and the M.S. in Telecommunications graduate degree (a total of 30 credit hours), with 6 credit hours of overlap permitted between the two degrees. The MS in TCOM degree would therefore be on an accelerated track, 6 credits being taken while an undergraduate and 24 credits as a graduate student. The 6 credit hours of TCOM courses taken while a Systems Engineering undergraduate must be selected from those given in the table at the end of this description.

Applicants for the accelerated BSSE/MS program must be George Mason University undergraduate students who have preferably chosen to take the Systems Engineering of Telecommunications System elective sequence. Other students will be considered on their individual merit. Students may apply for the accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM program during a semester after which they will have completed 90 or more credit hours as an undergraduate. Students must have an overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.25 to apply for the program. Criteria for admission into the accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM program are identical to criteria for admission into the MS in TCOM program, with the exception that students do not need to have completed an undergraduate degree prior to admission into the accelerated program.

Students who have been accepted into the accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM program must maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA in the undergraduate segment of the accelerated program and a 3.00 GPA in the graduate segment of the accelerated program. That is, after a student has been accepted into the accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM program, the student must maintain a 3.25 average until they have satisfied all of the requirements for the BSSE undergraduate degree. They must then maintain a 3.0 average in the graduate segment of the accelerated program. Should their GPA fall below 3.0 while a graduate student, they will be dropped from the accelerated program to the regular program and those graduate TCOM courses taken and applied to their BSSE program will no longer be admissible for their MS in TCOM degree. If a student is dropped from the accelerated program and has taken and applied TCOM core courses towards their BS/SE degree, then the student does not need to repeat those courses for the regular MS in TCOM program if they obtained a grade B, or above, in those courses. However, they will need to take elective courses in their place to satisfy the 33-credit requirement for the regular MS in TCOM degree. In a similar manner, if a student is dropped from the accelerated program and has taken and applied non-core TCOM courses towards their BSSE degree, then the student does not need to repeat those courses for the regular MS in TCOM program if they obtained a C grade, or above, for those courses. Elective courses will be required to replace courses already taken and dropped from the program, as before. NOTE: up to two C grades may be carried in the regular TCOM program in the non-core courses. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to graduate with an MS in TCOM degree.

Students must complete all requirements for the BSSE degree. Students in the accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM program may apply to have the BSSE degree conferred during the semester in which they expect to complete their BSSE requirements. The MS in TCOM degree is granted upon completion of all requirements for the accelerated MS in TCOM degree.

The TCOM courses that may be taken as a Systems Engineering undergraduate student as part of the accelerated BSSE/MS in TCOM program are given in the table below.

Certificate Requirements
To obtain the certificate, candidates must complete the following courses with a grade of B or better in each, for a total of 15 credits:
ECE 528 Random Processes in Electrical and Computer Engineering or OR 542 Operations Research:

Stochastic Models
SYST 680/ECE 670/OR 683 Principles of C4I

and three electives from the following course offerings:
SYST 664 – Bayesian Inference and Decision Theory
SYST 683 – Modeling, Simulation & Gaming
SYST 684 – Sensor Data Fusion
SYST 685 – Estimation and Tracking: Principles and Techniques
SYST 760 – Special Topics in C4I Systems Engineering
ECE 542 – Computer Network Architectures and Protocols
ECE 630 – Statistical Communication Theory
ECE 642 – Design and Analysis of Computer Communication Networks
OR 635 – Discrete System Simulation
OR 651 – Military Operations Research I: Cost Analysis
OR 652 – Military Operations Research II: Effectiveness Analysis

Graduate Certificate in Command, Control Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) Admission at George Mason University

Admission Requirements
Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree in a scientific or technical discipline from an accredited university or be in graduate status in a scientific or technical graduate program. Admission to GMU graduate programs in systems engineering or electrical engineering is a logical path toward the certificate. Applicants should have knowledge equivalent to that provided by the following graduate and undergraduate courses: Probability, Qualitative and Quantitative Modeling, and a scientific programming language. In addition, work experience in C4I systems analysis, design, development or operation is desired.

Applicants are required to submit a brief (one to two page) statement of educational and work experience in the C4I field that includes a statement of career goals in C4I systems engineering, and to complete a self-assessment form that provides summary information concerning background and preparation for the program.

Graduate Certificate in Command, Control Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I)

The Graduate Certificate in C4I is for those who are enrolled in an appropriate master’s degree program. It is designed for professionals involved in the many aspects of command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence systems for the public and private sectors, and for students interested in careers in C4I. Multidisciplinary by nature, the program addresses all aspects of the substance and technology of C4I.

Students learn the basics of C4I systems engineering. A set of core courses defines the field; provides an analytical framework for understanding the systems design and development process; describes the major disciplines and fields of inquiry used by C4I systems engineers; and demonstrates how command, control, communications and intelligence combine to achieve military and civilian objectives. The certificate program responds to the need for excellence in a growing field of inquiry, preparing students for a variety of basic and applied positions in the field. Students may pursue the certificate concurrently with any of the graduate degree programs in the School of Information Technology and Engineering; however, the certificate is not awarded until all requirements for the graduate program have been completed.

The doctoral program in communication focuses on health and strategic communication. It prepares students for increasingly complex public and private communication environments. Students receive a strong theoretical and multi-methodological foundation, which enables them to examine the critical role communication performs in health promotion, disease prevention, quality of care, risk assessment, and crisis management.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)

See the university catalog for policies governing all master’s degrees.

Students receiving the degree must successfully complete 33 credits of graduate course work, distributed as follows.
Five core courses (15 credits): COMM 600, 650, 798 and two theory courses (6 credits) chosen from COMM 602, 605, 620, 630, 634, or 635
One practicum course (3 credits) chosen from: COMM 604, 621, 653, 655, 694, 697, 721, 820
Other courses including independent study courses can be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior approval of the director of graduate studies.
12-15 credits of electives chosen from graduate communication courses including those listed above under theory or practicum. Students may take up to 6 credits of course work outside the department with prior approval of the director of graduate studies.
Thesis (3 credits) (optional)

Students electing the thesis option should consult the section on Master’s Thesis in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

The Master of Arts (MA) degree in communication at George Mason University examines the powerful role played by communication practices in contemporary society. The program has two major areas of emphasis: strategic communication/public relations and health communication.

Our strategic communication faculty teach courses on planning, developing, and executing public communication campaigns based on their expertise in public relations theory and research. Our health communication faculty explore the relationship between communication practices and the health and well-being of individuals and communities – including everything from how to improve relationships between doctors and patients to how non-profits can develop more effective health information campaigns (for example, HIV prevention campaigns).

In the end, all of our faculty – strategic and health communication faculty alike – are committed to providing our students with a strong foundation in communication theory and research while at the same time encouraging them to apply their skills in the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)

See the university catalog for policies governing all baccalaureate degrees.

In addition to satisfying university-wide general requirements and requirements for a BA degree in the College Humanities and Social Sciences, students receiving this degree must complete 36 credits distributed as follows.
Six required courses (18 credits): COMM 200, 300, 301, 302, 305, and 400
Students must complete COMM 200 with a grade of C (2.00) or better before enrolling in COMM 300, 301, 302, or 305.
Two courses (6 credits) of electives in communication

Four courses (12 credits) in an approved concentration (chosen from the list to the right).
Students must declare a concentration before they earn more than 75 credits. Transfer students with 60 or more credits are encouraged to declare a concentration by the end of their first semester. Specific sections of COMM 399 Special Topics in Communication may be applied toward a concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.

Of the 21 credits in the second and third categories above, at least 12 must be at the 300–400 level. The 21-credits may include no more than 10 credits from the following courses: COMM 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 148, 157, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 348, 349, 450, 451, 452, 499; and no more than 6 credits of internship (COMM 450). No more than 9 credits of internship (COMM 450 or GOVT 450) in total may be applied toward the 120 credits required for a degree. Communication majors must earn a C (2.00) or better in all communication courses applied to the major in fulfilling the above requirements. Students declaring the major in the fall of 2005 and thereafter must meet this requirement.

Mason’s communication degree is not a sit-back-and-listen program. As a communication major, you will produce videos, public relations plans, television programs, and websites. You will present your results to top Washington, D.C., area professionals and at communication conferences.

Through these activities, you will develop skills that are not only enriching to you personally, but highly valued by prospective employers and graduate schools.

You will take courses in public speaking, media production and criticism, public relations, journalism, intercultural communication, health communication, and political communication. You will study with faculty who are known for creating opportunities for you to apply your knowledge and skills in classes and in co-curricular activities.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)
See the university catalog for policies governing all minors.

Students receiving the minor must complete 18 credits beyond the 3 credits used to satisfy the university general education requirement distributed as follows.
One course (3 credits): COMM 250
Two courses (6 credits) chosen from: COMM 300, COMM 301, COMM 302, COMM 305
One course (3 credits) that is public presentation intensive (PPI) chosen from: COMM 100, 210, 310, 320, or 356. COMM 399, when it is PPI, may be applied to this requirement with prior approval of the director of the minor.
6 additional credits of communication (COMM) courses.

With the approval of the director of the minor, the requirement of COMM 250 may be waived for students who have had an equivalent research course. Those students take an additional 3 credits of COMM electives. In accordance with university policy, at least 8 credits must be applied only to the minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major, concentration, or another minor.