Communication Degrees Online

Degree Requirements for Counseling Program
Students must meet all university requirements for a master’s degree. All counseling students are required to complete the core courses. In addition, there are specific requirements for courses depending on which sequence the student is enrolled in. Students should complete their study plan with the advisor before or within the first trimester of enrollment to ensure proper progression through the program. Although the advisor is available to help students with any questions or concerns regarding curriculum and progression through the program, it is the student’s responsibility to make sure he/she is following the policies and procedures of the program, college, and university. Students should refer to program student handbook, university student handbook, and the university catalog for all policies and procedures. Total hours required for graduation in School Counseling is 57 hours.

All School Counseling students must provide evidence of successful completion of the Illinois Basic Skills Test prior to admission to the program. All School Counseling students must present evidence of passing the ISBE School Counselor Proficiency Test before they will be recommended for the School Service Personnel certificate.

Degree Requirements
Students must meet all university requirements for a bachelor’s degree. In addition. students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all required Communications courses.

Some required and selective courses are offered only once per academic year. Students are strongly advised to register well in advance of the start of courses, and to consult closely with their assigned advisors upon entering, and while in the program, to ensure individual study plans are aligned with the university schedule.

I. General Education Requirement (37-41 Hours)

II. Required Courses (29 Hours)
The following courses should be taken at the lower-division level.
Communication Skills (including speech, TV production and media writing (6)
COMS 310 Concept of Human Communication (3)
MCOM 420 Media and Society (3)

The following courses must be taken at the upper-division level:
COMS 300 Introduction to Communications (2)
COMS 420 Communication Research (3)
COMS 561 Technology and Human Communication (3)
MCOM 468 Senior Seminar (3)
MCOM 511 Communication Ethics (3)

Advanced Writing choose one:
ENGL 525 Advanced Writing (3)
MCOM 530 Reporting,Writing and Editing (3)
MCOM 531 Screenwriting (3)

III. Communications Concentrations (15-25 Hours)

Select one of the following five concentrations.
1. Advertising and Public Relations Required Courses (23-25 Hours)
MCOM 480 Internship (2-4)
MCOM 530 Reporting Writing and Editing (3)
MCOM 551 Introduction to Public Relations (3)
MCOM 561 Advertising and Society (3)

Select one of the following.
MCOM 510 Theory and History of a Free Press (3)
MCOM 512 Media Communications Law (3)

Select one of the following.
COMS 580 Creative Stratergies in Advertising and Public Relations (3)
MCOM 515 Layout ,Design, and Production (3)

Select two courses from the following.
COMS 552 Communicating with Clients and Customers (3)
MCOM 552 Public Relations Case Studies (3)
MCOM 570 Media Workshop (3)
MCOM 575 Media Planning and Management (3)

2. Digital Film-Making Required courses (20-22 hours)
MCOM 480 Internship (2-4)
MCOM 502 Digital film production (3)
MCOM 531 Screenwriting (3)
MCOM 570 Media workshop (3)

Select one of the following.
MCOM512 Media Communications Law (3)
MCOM540 Film Seminar (3)
MCOM542 TV and Film Documentary (3)

Select two of the following.
MCOM440 Television Production (3)
MCOM534 Video Production Editing (3)
MCOM535 Documentary Filmmaking (3)
MCOM577 Cinematography (3)

3. Journalism Required Courses (21 Hours)
MCOM480 Internship (2-4)
MCOM530 Reporting,Writing and Editing (3)
MCOM551 Public Relations (3)
MCOM561 Advertising and Society (3)

Select one of the following.
MCOM510 Theory and History of a Free Press (3)
MCOM512 Media Communications Law (3)

Select two of the following.
MCOM515 Layout,Design and Production (3)
MCOM525 Desktop Publishing (3)
MCOM550 Newswriting and Reporting (3)
MCOM555 Broadcast Journalism (3)
MCOM570 Media Workshop (3)

4. Multimedia Communications Required Courses (17-19 Hours)
MCOM480 Internship (2-4)
MCOM502 Digital Film Production (3)
MCOM534 Video Production Editing (3)
MCOM570 Media Workshop (3)

Select two courses from the following.
ART 544 Digital Photographic Imaging (3)
ART 546 Advanced Electronic Software Workshop (3)
HPT 520 Training Product Design (3)
MCOM440 Television Production (3)
MCOM535 Documentary Filmmaking (3)
MCOM546 Advanced Video Editing (3)
MCOM577 Cinematography (3)

5. Speech Communications Selective Courses (15 Hours)
COMS 330 Interpersonal Skills (3)
COMS 450 Corporate and Community Communication Systems (3)
COMS 533 Group Communication (3)
COMS 540 Intercultural Communication (3)

Select one of the following.
COMS 435 Persuasive Speaking (3)
COMS 535 Debate and Public Advocacy (3)

IV. Communications Electives (6-9 Hours)
Select six to nine hours of communications courses with advisor approval.

V. Electives (16-33 Hours)

Total - 120 Hours

Speech-Communications Minor
An undergraduate minor in Speech-Communications is offered for students majoring in other fields. This minor is particularly appropriate for those students who anticipate significant use of communications skills in their chosen field and who wish to develop additional marketable skills.

Requirements for the Minor
COMS 310 Concept of Human Communication (3)
COMS 330 Interpersonal Skills (3)
COMS 435 Persuasive Speaking (3)
Nine hours from communication courses 500-level or below (9)

Degree Requirements
The students participating in this degree program must complete the required courses with a grade point average of 3.0 or more in the field of concentration and be present for graduation exercises. The number of courses required in the program will vary, depending on which track is selected. More than 20 courses are required for either track in order to meet Gordon-Conwell’s expectation of a biblical and theological core as well as expectations of agencies which certify counselors.

Degree Goals
To understand the basic content and themes of the Old and New Testaments in their historical and cultural settings, (1) as well as the historical and theological dimensions of the Christian faith (2)

To demonstrate academic excellence in the ability to communicate effectively materials from the study of psychology and the biblical, historical and theological disciplines (2)

To integrate psychological theory with biblical truth so that the knowledge and skills learned in studies and practice will be realized in professional application (3)

To evidence a commitment to the authority of Scripture in personal and community relationships, as well as a personal commitment to spiritual formation (1,4)

To foster love for God and his word and therefore to cultivate the practices of spiritual maturity and Christ-like character, and to understand the Christian’s ethical responsibility in church and society (4, 5)

To gain experience in an understanding of cultural backgrounds toward effective expression of biblical truth, with the goal of ministering to Christians and to those who are not Christian believers (5)

To demonstrate an awareness of national, racial, ethnic and cultural factors that impinge upon the teaching and modeling of biblical truth, and to develop the capacity for a critical evaluation of important cultural changes within the discipline of counseling (6)

Graduation Requirements
Students participating in these degree programs must complete 20 courses with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher and be present for graduation exercises.

Degree Requirements for the MACC
GENERAL CORE REQUIREMENTS:
Candidates are required to complete two courses in the area of Biblical Studies, two courses in Christian Thought and one course in Ministry.

COUNSELING CORE REQUIREMENTS:
Regardless of which track a student pursues, all counseling students are required to complete nine core-counseling courses.

TRACK REQUIREMENTS:
Students must complete four additional counseling courses specific to their area of concentration.

CLINICAL COUNSELING PRACTICUM:
All students must complete CO 867a & b (Clinical Counseling Practicum). In addition, students in the LPC track must complete CO 868a & b; students in the MFT track must complete CO 869a & b.

BIBLE COMPETENCY:
All MA students must demonstrate Bible competency either by successfully completing the Old and/or New Testament Survey courses, or by passing the Bible Competency Exams. Those who do not pass the Competency Exams, or elect not to sit for the exams will be required to complete OT 500, Old Testament Survey and/or NT 501, New Testament Survey as an English Bible. (See Bible Competency Exams)

COMPLETING THE DEGREE:
The MA in Christian Counseling degree can be completed in various time spans depending on the number of courses taken each year. The following are approximations based on September entrance, May graduation, and course availability.
Three years (33 months): averaging 2-3 courses per semester, 1-2 intensive sessions per year, along with 4 practica rotations;
Four years (45 months): averaging 1-2 courses per semester, 1-2 intensive sessions per year, along with 4 practica rotations.

A highly motivated student who maximizes registration opportunities may be able to complete the required courses for the MACC degree in 2-/2 years (28 months) time span.

Licensure Requirements
A. The North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (NCBLPC) and the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC).

The coursework of the MACC degree is designed according to the curriculum requirements outlined by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors (NCBLPC) and of the National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC). The coursework contributes to the preparation of a student to take the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE).

B. The North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NCMFTLB) and The American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT).

The MACC degree is designed according to the curriculum requirements outlined by the North Carolina Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure Board (NCMFTLB) and of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT). The coursework contributes to the preparation of a student to take the National Examination in Marriage and Family Therapy.

C. Student’s Responsibility to Obtain Licensure
The school’s responsibility is providing an opportunity to earn a degree, not guaranteeing that licensure or certification requirements will be met through the counseling program. The student is responsible to contact the appropriate licensure or certification organizations and obtain the latest information on what is required for that particular licensure or certification.

The student is also responsible for completing the academic requirements as well as obtaining the proper supervision that is needed for a particular licensure or certification. More than the minimum coursework requirement of 60 semester hours may be necessary for a particular licensure or certification. In this situation a student who has completed the MACC degree may find that in order to meet licensure or certification goals, they are deficient in specific areas such as “marriage” and/or “family”. Students under these conditions will be eligible to take one course per year for up to three years with all tuition costs waived.

Hours accumulated from practica experience, which meet the requirements for the MACC degree may or may not meet the requirements for a particular licensure or certification. (E.g., Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) meets degree requirements for the first year but may not meet state licensure requirements.)

Counseling Practica, Professional Seminars, Counseling Student’s Retreat, and New Student Orientation

The following are descriptions of specific requirements, which the MACC student will participate in during the course of study at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Charlotte.

A. Counseling Practica and Internships
The purpose of practica is to learn through experience about the counseling field. The student must complete a minimum of four counseling courses with the prefix of “CO” which must include both CO500: Introduction to Counseling and CO710: Psychopathology.

The MACC degree requires a total of 720 clock hours of professional counseling experience. Practica are structured in the following time frame: the first and second practicum rotations are approximately 8 hours per week over 15 weeks or a total of 120 clock hours for each rotation. The third and fourth practicum rotations are approximately 8 hours per week over 30 weeks or a total of 240 clock hours for each rotation. These hours represent average time spent over the fall and spring semesters. Students may arrange concentrated times during the year to meet these requirements.

Students will request a counseling site and supervisor and have them approved by the director of graduate programs in counseling. Students should choose sites consistent with professional licensure requirements and personal vocational objectives (i.e., some licensing boards may require approval of a particular site). The first two practicum rotations for all counseling students are entitled CO867: Clinical Counseling Practica (A&B). The last two practicum rotations are designated either with course coding of CO867: Clinical Counseling Practica (A&B) for the Licensed Professional Counselor Track (LPC) or with CO869: Clinical Counseling Practica (A&B) for the Marriage and Family Therapy Track (MFT). The student bears responsibility for this decision and for compliance with any requirements for licensure.

Further practica requirements for the Master of Arts in Christian Counseling degree may be defined by: 1) the Learning Covenant that is established between the practicum site and/or supervisor and the student, which must receive final approval from the director of graduate studies in counseling; and 2) the national and/or state licensure requirements which the student chooses to pursue.

A four hundred hour unit of Clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) may count for the first two practicum rotations (240 hours of the practica requirements). CPE will not count toward the last two practicum rotations for the MACC degree. (See also: Practica Handbook, located in the counseling office.)

B. Professional Seminars
The purpose of the Professional Seminars will be to discuss the student’s practicum settings and experiences. The students participating in the Professional Seminar create a forum for clinical group supervision that involves interaction with a faculty clinical professor concerning issues such as counseling theory, clinical intervention, and professional ethics. During the fall and spring semesters, all counseling students who are engaged in or preparing for practicum must participate in Professional Seminars.

The Professional Seminars will be offered each fall and spring semesters, two hours each month of the semester. The primary format for this group supervision component will be internet based. This will take place over secure internet address, assuring online access for all students participating in practicum. At the discretion of the counseling department, other formats for group supervision including dates, times, and locations will be published at the beginning of each semester.

C. Counseling Student’s Retreat
The purpose of the retreat is to establish relationships among peers seeking similar Christian ministry; to discuss the field of counseling with respect to calling, professional concerns, and the Christian life; and to spend time in spiritual retreat alone and together. The retreat consists of a weekend (Friday evening through Sunday morning) in January each year. Two retreats are required in the counseling program, labeled RC500 and RC600. The counseling retreats are designed with two unique formats, thus attending both is required by the student. The retreat will be held at a conference center in or near Charlotte. There is a fee associated with the retreat. (See also: Counseling Student’s Retreat Flyer and Registration Form located in the counseling office.)

D. New Student Orientation
New students entering the MACC degree program will participate in an orientation meeting. The purpose of the orientation is to prepare matriculating students for the various aspects of the degree program: course work, practica, professional seminars, counseling student’s retreat, library resources, and licensure requirements. The orientation will be held prior to a basic counseling class in the fall semester, normally on a Friday evening in September.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)

See the university catalog for policies governing all doctoral degrees.

To receive the Ph.D. in communication, students must complete a minimum of 60 credits beyond the master’s degree including core courses in theory and research methods, course work in a concentration, and a research practicum. The two concentrations in health communication and strategic communication are highly complementary and considerable overlap between them is expected. Following completion of all required coursework, students must pass a written qualifying examination and an oral defense of it, after which they are advanced to candidacy by the dean and complete a dissertation, an original and independent research project.

Four courses (12 credits) of theory: COMM 600 and 9 credits chosen from COMM 602, 605, 634, 635

Three courses (9 credits) of research methods (at least 6 at the 700 level): COMM 650 and 6 credits chosen from COMM 750, 725 or other courses with approval of the director.

Six courses (18 credits) in one of the following substantive fields of study:

Health Communication: 9 credits chosen from COMM 620, 705, 720, 820 and 9 credits of relevant coursework with approval of the advisor and director

Strategic Communication: 9 credits chosen from COMM 706, 630, 705, 735 and 9 credits of relevant coursework with approval of the advisor and director

3 credits of a research practicum: COMM 604, 890 or 896 depending on the nature of the research being conducted

18 credits of dissertation proposal and research: 3 credits of COMM 998 and 15 credits of COMM 999

Once enrolled in 998, students must maintain continuous registration for at least 1 credit; once enrolled in 999, students must follow the university continuous registration policy. A maximum of 3 credits of COMM 998 and 15 credits of COMM 999 may be applied toward the 60 credits required for the degree, though because of continuous registration policy, students may be required to register for additional credits of these courses.

If specific requirements are waived by the director because of previous coursework or experience, students must complete additional electives as approved by the department and recorded on their Program of Study.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)

See the university catalog for policies governing all master’s degrees.

Students receiving the degree must successfully complete 33 credits of graduate course work, distributed as follows.
Five core courses (15 credits): COMM 600, 650, 798 and two theory courses (6 credits) chosen from COMM 602, 605, 620, 630, 634, or 635
One practicum course (3 credits) chosen from: COMM 604, 621, 653, 655, 694, 697, 721, 820
Other courses including independent study courses can be used to fulfill this requirement with the prior approval of the director of graduate studies.
12-15 credits of electives chosen from graduate communication courses including those listed above under theory or practicum. Students may take up to 6 credits of course work outside the department with prior approval of the director of graduate studies.
Thesis (3 credits) (optional)

Students electing the thesis option should consult the section on Master’s Thesis in the Academic Policies section of this catalog.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)

See the university catalog for policies governing all baccalaureate degrees.

In addition to satisfying university-wide general requirements and requirements for a BA degree in the College Humanities and Social Sciences, students receiving this degree must complete 36 credits distributed as follows.
Six required courses (18 credits): COMM 200, 300, 301, 302, 305, and 400
Students must complete COMM 200 with a grade of C (2.00) or better before enrolling in COMM 300, 301, 302, or 305.
Two courses (6 credits) of electives in communication

Four courses (12 credits) in an approved concentration (chosen from the list to the right).
Students must declare a concentration before they earn more than 75 credits. Transfer students with 60 or more credits are encouraged to declare a concentration by the end of their first semester. Specific sections of COMM 399 Special Topics in Communication may be applied toward a concentration with prior written approval of the undergraduate director.

Of the 21 credits in the second and third categories above, at least 12 must be at the 300–400 level. The 21-credits may include no more than 10 credits from the following courses: COMM 140, 141, 142, 143, 145, 148, 157, 340, 341, 342, 343, 345, 346, 348, 349, 450, 451, 452, 499; and no more than 6 credits of internship (COMM 450). No more than 9 credits of internship (COMM 450 or GOVT 450) in total may be applied toward the 120 credits required for a degree. Communication majors must earn a C (2.00) or better in all communication courses applied to the major in fulfilling the above requirements. Students declaring the major in the fall of 2005 and thereafter must meet this requirement.

Degree Requirements (Catalog Year 2008-2009)
See the university catalog for policies governing all minors.

Students receiving the minor must complete 18 credits beyond the 3 credits used to satisfy the university general education requirement distributed as follows.
One course (3 credits): COMM 250
Two courses (6 credits) chosen from: COMM 300, COMM 301, COMM 302, COMM 305
One course (3 credits) that is public presentation intensive (PPI) chosen from: COMM 100, 210, 310, 320, or 356. COMM 399, when it is PPI, may be applied to this requirement with prior approval of the director of the minor.
6 additional credits of communication (COMM) courses.

With the approval of the director of the minor, the requirement of COMM 250 may be waived for students who have had an equivalent research course. Those students take an additional 3 credits of COMM electives. In accordance with university policy, at least 8 credits must be applied only to the minor and may not be used to fulfill requirements of the student’s major, concentration, or another minor.

A student may pursue the primary portion of graduate study for the M.A. in communication studies in communication theory, rhetorical studies, journalism, or media studies.

Requirements
The student must earn a minimum of 33 semester hours of graduate credit and must take at least one 600- or 700-level course in three of the following four areas: journalism, communication theory, rhetorical studies, and media studies. COMS 691, Research in Communication Studies (3), is required of all students and must be taken during the first 12 semester hours of graduate work.

With the adviser’s advice and consent, the student must fulfill the requirements of either the thesis or non-thesis option.

COMS 691 - Research in Communication Studies Credits: 3

Thesis Option
A thesis must be submitted and approved. From 3 to 6 semester hours may be allotted to thesis research and writing. A maximum of 6 semester hours may be taken in a combination of COMS 697, Directed Individual Study, and COMS 699, Master’s Thesis.

During the semester in which degree requirements are completed, the student must pass a written examination and an oral examination on the thesis and course work.

COMS 697 - Directed Individual Study Credits: 1-6
COMS 699 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 1-6

Non-Thesis Option
A maximum of 3 semester hours may be earned in COMS 697, Directed Individual Study.

During the semester in which degree requirements are completed, the student must pass a written examination and an oral examination, both of which will assess knowledge and ability in the area of special interest.

The comprehensive examination includes the submission by the student, for evaluation by the committee, of an expanded scholarly paper growing out of previous course work or directed individual study.

COMS 697 - Directed Individual Study Credits: 1-6
(Only 3 semester hours may be used toward degree requirements.)

Admission to the specialization in speech-language pathology is limited to the fall term with an application deadline of January 15. However, admitted students can petition to begin taking classes the summer before their first fall in the program. Rehabilitation Counseling admits students each term. The application deadline is February 1 for the fall and summer terms and September 1 for the spring term. To be assured consideration for admission in either of the master’s degree programs in communicative disorders, prospective students must submit completed application materials (application forms, official transcripts, GRE general test scores, and letters of recommendation) to the graduate school by the stated application deadline.

Admission to the master’s degree program is typically for full-time study. An applicant for admission to a departmental program is generally expected to meet or exceed the following requirements.
A minimum 3.00 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in all undergraduate work.

Competitive scores on the GRE General Test.

Two letters of recommendation from professors, employers, or supervisors providing supportive evidence of an applicant’s professional qualifications.

A typewritten statement describing the applicant’s qualifications, goals, and career aspirations as they relate to the communicative disorders program at NIU.

Prospective students who fail to meet the GPA requirement for admission may request special consideration of their applications. Such requests must be in writing, must include compensatory evidence related to the deficiency, and should accompany the application for admission to the Graduate School. Final decisions regarding admissions are made by the program’s admissions committee on the basis of a total profile of an applicant’s qualifications.

A maximum of 12 semester hours of student-at-large credit may be applied to degree requirements. In addition, the maximum combined total of student-at-large hours plus transfer credit may not exceed 12 semester hours.