Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication Concentration in Tourism and Cultural Communication

The Master of Arts (M.A.) in Communication Concentration in Tourism and Cultural Communication program empowers professionals who seek to advance to upper-middle management and senior management levels in tourism organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills required for their success. It enables them to achieve academic and professional growth in their field, to contribute effectively to the growth of their profession, and to be active participants in the economic development of the country.

The distinctive combination of communication and tourism capitalizes on proven graduate studies formulas at the best international institutions which offer communication and/or tourism degrees at the graduate level. It blends a broad theoretical, empirical, and professional knowledge of communications and media with understanding of the concepts, systems and practices of tourism and special events.

Program Recognition

• The program is approved by the UAE Ministry of Education.
• Zayed University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Curriculum

Master of Arts in Communication Concentration in Tourism and Cultural Communication

Orientation Seminar

At the beginning of the program, students take an intensive one-day orientation seminar that offers a number of workshops to introduce students to the University and its resources, the program and communication and virtual classroom software such as Blackboard Learn and Collaborate, MS Outlook, Extranet, and Bannerweb.

Courses

The Master of Arts in Communication Concentration in Tourism and Cultural Communication curriculum offers students a choice between two study tracks:

Option 1

• COM501 Foundations of Communication Studies
• COM502 Introduction to Communication Research
• TCC520 Tourism Principles and Practices
• TCC522 Tourism Communication
• COM504 Cross Cultural Communication
• COM506 Understanding Consumer Trends
• SPC521 Strategic Planning and Development
• COM523 Event and Festival Planning and Promotion
• TCC525 Tourism in the U.A.E. and MENA Region
• COM550 Applied Research Seminar
• COM551 Advanced Research Project I
• COM552 Advanced Research Project II

Option 1: Culminates in a significant piece of research which could be linked to a student's current workplace.

Option 2

• COM501 Foundations of Communication Studies
• COM502 Introduction to Communication Research
• TCC520 Tourism Principles and Practic
• TCC522 Tourism Communication
• COM504 Cross Cultural Communication
• COM506 Understanding Consumer Trends
• TCC521 Strategic Planning and Development
• COM523 Event and Festival Planning and Promotion
• TCC525 Tourism in the U.A.E. and MENA Region
• COM550 Applied Research Seminar
• COM507 Social and Digital Media Strategies
• TCC527 Cultural Heritage in Tourism

Option 2: Requires a final comprehensive exam that tests students on the knowledge they gained in their field of study.

Admission

• Admission is open to males and females of all nationalities.
• Applicants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited university.
• IELTS (Academic) overall band score of not less than 6.0 or an internet-based TOEFL total score of not less than 79 iBT.
• Applicants selecting Option 1 must submit a proposal.
• Candidates do not need an undergraduate degree in communication to pursue the Master of Arts in Communication Concentration in Tourism and Cultural Communication degree. However, if they were not communication or media majors, they will be required to take preparatory work as necessary, to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Prospective students may be allowed to take qualifying coursework at another institution.

Graduation Requirement

Graduate students must maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in course work taken in fulfillment of the requirements of a Master's degree.