Communication Studies Graduate Classes

While our curriculum varies and includes “special problems” courses that feature various contemporary communication topics, below is a list of our regular course offerings. The three required core classes must be completed as soon as possible when students enter the program.

In addition, students can take up to six units of other coursework (such as advanced undergraduate classes, independent study, or graduate courses in other departments) with advisor and Graduate Committee approval to develop a customized course schedule.

Program Requirements

Core Required Courses
COMS 200A Intro to Grad Studies--Disciplinary History & Conventions (1 unit; offered in Fall)
COMS 200B Intro to Grad Studies--Paradigm & Methods (1 unit; offered in Spring)
COMS 201 Communication Theory (3 units; offered in Fall)
A choice of methods: COMS 202 Quantitative Methods, COMS 203 Qualitative Methods, or COMS 204 Rhetorical Methods (Courses rotate every semester)

Graduate Courses

3 units each
COMS 206 Organizational Communication
COMS 207 Relational Communication
COMS 208 International Communication
COMS 209 Social Movements
COMS 210 Media Effects
COMS 211 Media & Culture
COMS 212 Communication & Leadership
COMS 213 Rhetorical Theory
COMS 214 Health communication
COMS 215 Political Communication
COMS 216 Intercultural Communication
COMS 217 Applied Organizational Communication
COMS 219 Conflict Management
COMS 221 Instructional Communication Theory
COMS 222 Instructional Communication Practicum
COMS 228 Corporate Advocacy and Public Policy
COMS 230 Computer-Mediated Communication

Variable Content Courses

Variable Content Courses
COMS 285 Colloquium for Teaching Communication Studies (1 unit)
COMS 295 Apprenticeship in Communication Studies (1-3 units)
COMS 296A Communication Research Methods Module (1 unit)
COMS 296B Communication Topics Module (1 unit)
COMS 297 Directed Study and Comprehensive Examination (3 units)
COMS 298 Special Topics Course (3 units; offered in Spring)
COMS 299 Independent Study (Usually 3 units; proposal required)
COMS 500 Thesis/Project Units (6 units)

Fall 2026 Communication Studies Course Schedule

3-unit seminars

• COMS 201 Communication Theory—Dr. Carmen Stitt—Wednesday, 5:30-8:20 p.m.
• COMS 202 Quantitative Research Methods—Dr. Nate Woo—Thursday, 6-8:50 p.m.
• COMS 216 Intercultural Communication—Dr. Kiko Omori—Monday, 6-8:50 p.m.
• COMS 217 Applied Organizational Communication—Dr. Tasha Souza—Thursday, 4-6:50 p.m.

1-unit modules [offered on the same night of the week, in 5-week chunks, in succession]

• Session 1—COMS 200A (1 unit) Intro to Graduate Studies—History and Disciplinary Conventions—Dr. Kimberly Aguilar—Tuesday, 5:30 to 8:20 p.m. (first five weeks)
• Session 2—COMS 296A—Communication Research Methods—Dr. Morgan Morley—Tuesday, 4 to 6:50 p.m. (second five weeks)
• Session 3—COMS 296B—Communication Topics—Dr. Morgan Morley—Tuesday, 4 to 6:50 p.m. (third five weeks)

Questions about adding a COMS graduate course? Email Dr. Kimberly Aguilar at kimberly.aguilar@csus.edu