Mar 17, 2026  
2026-2027 Graduate Catalog 
    
2026-2027 Graduate Catalog

English, Communication, & Digital Studies (M.A.)


Program: English, Communication, and Digital Studies
College of Liberal Arts

Department of English and Linguistics

Liberal Arts Building 145 ~ 260-481-6841
Suzanne Rumsey, Chair
Troy Bassett, Graduate Program Director

Department of Communication

Neff Hall 230 ~ 260-481-6825
Michelle Kelsey, Chair


The Master of Arts in English, Communication, and Digital Studies is an interdisciplinary program that explores how language, storytelling, and technology shape culture and communication in the digital age. Combining the critical depth, practical and theoretical insights of both English studies, and communication and media studies, this program prepares students to analyze, create, and innovate across traditional and emerging mediums.

Students engage with literature, rhetoric, media, and digital content to examine how meaning is constructed and conveyed through text, image, sound, and networked discourse. Coursework integrates rhetorical theory, literary analysis, digital communication, and cultural studies to prepare graduates for diverse professional paths in education, publishing, media, corporate communication, and public service-or for doctoral study in related fields. The program fosters ethically, critically, and creatively engaged communicators who bring a humanistic perspective and digital literacy to an ever-changing communicative landscape.

 

College Scorecard


The U.S. Department of Education has created a scorecard for each university and its programs.  The scorecard shows data for the university such as graduation rate, average annual cost, and median earnings.  Then, when certain minimum standards have been met, data are available for a specific program.  That data could include median earnings, median total debt, and number of graduates. The link below will help you learn more:

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?151102-Purdue-University-Fort-Wayne&fos_code=2301&fos_credential=5

Program Requirements: Credits: 36


Required Course: Credits: 3


  • IDIS 50000 - Introduction to Graduate Studies  Cr. 3.

Pedagogy Course: Credits: 3


Choose one of the following:

Specialty Courses: Credits: 21


Twenty-one credits in any speciality.

Thesis/Project optional: Up to 6 credits

Student Responsibility


You are responsible for satisfying the graduation requirements specified for your selected program.  Thus, it is essential that you develop a thorough understanding of the required courses, academic policies and procedures governing your academic career.  If you cannot complete all program requirements by your stated graduation date but fail to remove those from your plan of study, the Registrar’s Office in consultation with your academic advisor will remove unmet pursuits from your plan of study.    All requests for exceptions to specific requirements must be made in writing and may be granted only by written approval from the Graduate Director.