Communication practitioners need a strong research base upon which to make design decisions. The M.S. in Communication and Rhetoric offers students a solid foundation in communication theory and practice-oriented communication research skills. As part of their program students are able to study web interaction, computer-mediated communication, communication marketing, and other modes of technologically mediated communication.

The M.S. in Communication and Rhetoric draws on the core M.S. courses and also gives students a grounding in analytical methods and in the research literature of a specific theoretical area. The program prepares students for applied research or consulting for industry or government, or for further study in a doctoral program.

The program accepts students from discourse-related fields such as English, communication arts, or journalism and students with research experience in the social sciences, physical sciences, or engineering.