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Home > Study in Canada > Wilfrid Laurier University - Waterloo Campus > Master of Arts in Communication Studies - Thesis Option (Co-op)

Master of Arts in Communication Studies - Thesis Option (Co-op) Wilfrid Laurier University - Waterloo Campus Wilfrid Laurier University - Waterloo Campus, Canada

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CAD 22461

Annual Tuition Fee

!
*Subject to change and other fees
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CAD 125

Application Fee

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16 months

Duration

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6.5

IELTS

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83

TOEFL

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77%

Min GPA

Program Overview

Our Master of Arts (MA) in Communication Studies program seeks students with open minds to explore new approaches to media, communication and culture in a challenging, rewarding and supportive environment.

Exploring the interplay of power and communication, our program provides advanced training in core theories and methodologies in communication studies and critically engages contemporary research themes in the discipline.

Program Highlights

  • Our program is animated by interdisciplinary faculty with expertise in areas such as alternative media, cultural and creative industries, digital cultures, global media, health communication, media history, mobilities, popular music, social media, visual communication, and beyond.
  • We offer small class sizes, passionate teachers, careful mentors, competitive funding, and excellent professional development opportunities, including a co-op option.
  • Our graduates are our program’s success stories. They pursue doctoral degrees and launch meaningful professional communication careers in a variety of public-sector, non-profit, and private-sector organizations.

Thesis Option
In exceptional circumstances, students may be allowed to complete the thesis option instead of the MRP option.

Students in the thesis option will take four one-term courses plus CS699: Thesis, consisting of the two required courses (CS600 and CS601) and two elective courses. The thesis shares the same basic properties and structure of the MRP, but is considerably larger in scope (100-120 pages) and must contain a substantive amount of original scholarly research.

Students wishing to write a thesis should consult with the graduate program director during the fall term of their first year. A thesis abstract, of approximately 500 words, is due December 15 to the graduate co-ordinator. The abstract, along with the student's academic record from the fall term, will be assessed by the graduate co-ordinator and the graduate committee and, if approved, a supervisory committee will be established. Students will be notified of the committee's decision within three weeks of the submission deadline. The committee will then decide upon a work schedule, using the MRP guidelines as a template.

On completion of the thesis, students will be expected to pass an oral defence of the work by an examining committee, which will include the student’s supervisor and reader(s), and an external examiner who is at arm’s length from the student. The purpose of the oral defence is to demonstrate to the examiners that the candidate fully understands the work that was completed, how the research was completed, and the meaning and significance of the findings and conclusions. The candidate must have a clear understanding of how the work fits with the relevant literature and/or practice. The thesis is graded on a pass/fail basis.

About Co-op
The MA in Communication Studies program offers a Co-operative Education option. Co-op students have the unique opportunity to obtain paid employment and professional communication experience in non-profit organizations, the public sector, community groups, and organizations in creative industries. Co-op students are encouraged to pursue work terms in sectors and roles that align with their research interests.

The co-op option is a competitive entry and a limited enrolment option available to full-time students. Students in the co-op option complete their coursework in the fall and winter terms (September to April), have their co-op work term in the spring/summer (May to August), and write their major research paper or thesis in the subsequent fall semester (September to December), typically completing all MA program requirements in approximately 16 months.

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Additional Information

Program Level Master's Degree

College/University Processing Time 14 Days

Program Format Full-Time

Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) work permit

Program Intake

Open

Sep 2026

Closed

Jan 2026, May 2026

General Admission Requirement

  • IELTS
    • Minimum Overall Score - 6.5 - With No Band Less Than - 6
  • TOEFL
    • Minimum Overall Score - 83 - With no score less than - 20
  • PTE
    • Minimum Overall Score - 59

Academic Requirement

  • Minimum Level of Education Required: To be accepted into this program, applicants must have a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies (honours) degree or equivalent.

6.5 IELTS Score
83 TOEFL Score Minimum Overall Score
59 PTE Score Minimum Overall Score
77% CGPA Minimum Overall Score

Similar Programs

Tuition Fee

The values given below are estimated figures, excluding extra charges like material fee, student activity fees, athletic fees, health care, etc., for courses. To know more, please visit the page.

Average Tuition Fee Per Year

22461

Tuition Fee
(CAD)

CAD 125

Application Fee
(CAD)

20600 Per year

Average Cost of Living
(CAD)

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The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

for more information about funding options.

Scholarships

Scholarships and Bursaries

You’re investing in your future by getting a university education, and we want to invest in you. We have several funding opportunities available for you throughout your degree, including some that are specifically for your first year.


Entrance Scholarships

When you apply to Laurier, you’re automatically considered for an entrance scholarship if you are

  • Attending postsecondary for the first time.
  • Starting your degree at Laurier with fewer than 4.0 university credits previously attempted (at any university) or less than 1 year of full-time college education.

Entrance scholarships are offered based on your  as of July 2026. No application is required. If you are not eligible for an entrance scholarship, you may be eligible for other scholarships, awards and bursaries.


Entrance Scholarship Values

Admission Average Value
GPA to achieve offer - 79.9% $5,000
80.0 - 84.9% $5,000
85.0–89.9% $5,000
90.0–94.9% $5,000
95.0–100%** $6,000

Note: Scholarship values are subject to change. This scholarship grid is valid for incoming students beginning in September 2026 and after.



President's Gold Scholarship

The President’s Gold Scholarship is a merit-based entrance scholarship awarded to students with an entrance average of 95% or higher. This scholarship is also renewable in your upper years, if you meet the renewal requirements.


Eligibility requirements

  • If your final admission average is 95% or higher as of July 2026, we will award you with the President’s Gold Scholarship for your first year at Laurier. The scholarship is worth $4,000 for domestic students and $6,000 for international students.
  • This scholarship is renewable in your upper years if you achieve an annual grade point average (GPA) of 10.5 or higher based on the completion of a minimum of 5.0 full credits during the past academic year. The renewable scholarship amount is $4,000 (domestic) or $6,000 (international) per year for four years (or up to five years for some programs).
  • Students who receive the President's Gold Scholarship are not eligible to receive in-course scholarships. See the  to maintain your President’s Gold Scholarship.


Applying and receiving the scholarship

  • You are automatically assessed for the President’s Gold Scholarship; no additional application is required.
  • You must be registered full time, and you must be registered in two terms in your first academic year to receive the full scholarship amount. A full-time course load is minimum 2.0 credits per term and an academic year at Laurier is from September to August.
  • Your scholarship will be applied directly to your student account. You must be registered in courses and have a tuition charge showing on your Laurier account to receive the scholarship.
     


Inspiring Lives Scholarship

Every year at Laurier, we welcome international students from around the world to our campuses. We value the diverse experiences and perspectives of our international students, and recognize the many ways they inspire lives throughout our communities.


The Inspiring Lives Scholarship is a prestigious entrance scholarship available exclusively to international students beginning their undergraduate studies at Laurier. The scholarship is awarded annually to students who inspire lives of leadership and purpose in their communities and through their extracurricular activities.


The scholarship is valued at $500 to $5,000 CAD and can be stacked with entrance scholarships and other competitive scholarships and awards. Learn more about .


Eligibility

  • All international students who have applied to Laurier and accepted their offer and are entering their first year of undergraduate studies in the fall term are eligible to apply. Students can be studying in any undergraduate program at any of our campuses.
  • Applicants are required to be paying full-time international tuition fees in the fall term to receive the scholarship.
  • There is no minimum admissions average required to apply. This scholarship can also be awarded in addition to .

 

Laurier Scholars Award

The prestigious Laurier Scholars Award offers high-achieving students the opportunity to participate in a dynamic learning environment that will foster innovative thinking and ethical, visionary leadership.

Since 2021, Laurier continues to welcome seven scholars annually, each of whom will receive a $40,000 scholarship over a four-year period. Award recipients join a community of scholars from across the disciplines and receive mentorship, networking, research and experiential learning opportunities throughout their degree. Laurier’s commitment to academic excellence and community engagement, including social innovation and sustainability efforts, provides Laurier Scholars with a strong foundation to create new ideas and make meaningful change.

Laurier Scholars are required to meet all conditions to receive and renew their scholarship on an annual basis over a four-year period.


Laurier Scholars Award Conditions 
Scholarship Funding Disbursement

  • The award includes $7,500 per year for up to four years and an experiential learning award of $10,000.
  • Funding will be applied in two equal installments to your student account during your full-time terms of study. The experiential award of $10,000 may be used to fund a summer research assistantship, international exchange or another hands-on learning opportunity that connects in-class knowledge to learning experiences outside the classroom. 

*The award values, number of recipients, and criteria are subject to change.

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