Communication Degrees Online

The graduate major in Communications and Training provides an in-depth study leading to specialized knowledge and skills. Students have the opportunity to receive a broad theoretical framework in their field as well as the specific skills needed in the professional world.

The major prepares students as working professionals through three sequences: Communication Studies, Media Communications, and Human Performance and Training. The major also prepares students for further graduate study in the communications and training fields.

Beyond taking the common required courses, students adapt the major to their individual needs and backgrounds by pursuing one of the three sequences and choosing appropriate elective courses. Students plan their specific programs in consultation with their advisors.

Graduates of the program are in career areas such as advertising, cable TV, college teaching, consulting, customer service, film-making, human resource development, instructional design and development, journalism, media management, media writing, public affairs, public relations, TV production/direction, and training.

Recommended Preparation
While admission to the major does not require an undergraduate major in Communications, Media Communications, Human Performance and Training, or a related field, an undergraduate major in one of the following fields is recommended: business, education, media, multimedia, communications, English, psychology, speech, or liberal arts. In addition, students are expected to have demonstrable competence.

Effective communication is vital to career as well as to personal and social relationships. Through studies in intrapersonal, interpersonal, and public communication, students can increase self-understanding, and acquire more effective tools with which to participate in society. Courses within the Department of Communication Studies are appropriate for all students but are particularly important for those who plan careers in professions that require more than minimal interpersonal and/or group contact. The programs in the Department of Communication Stuides provide a solid foundation for a career as well as for graduate study.

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.)

Graduate Assistantships
The department realizes that graduate study is expensive. If you’re admitted to the program, you can apply for a teaching or research assistantship to help meet expenses and, if you plan a career in higher education, to give you valuable experience in the classroom. Most of our doctoral students and about one third of our master’s degree students are awarded assistantships.

Many T.A.s are responsible for teaching two or three sections of the Fundamentals of Public Speaking course (COMM 110) required for all university undergraduates.

Graduate students may also be offered teaching assistantships in media courses or assist with media-production. Other assistantships in media-related areas may be available on campus, including sports information, university relations, agricultural communication, and student union services.

Graduate assistants receive a stipend and tuition waiver. The number of assistantships and stipends offered changes from year to year depending on department resources. Screening of candidates begins in February. Those wishing to be considered for assistantships must submit their application by March 1.

Admission

Application Requirements

A complete application includes the following materials required by the graduate school:
Graduate application
Statement of reasons for graduate study
Transcripts
Letters of recommendation
Application fee

In addition, the department of communication requires:
A CV or resume which clearly identifies your current position, including your responsibilities, span of authority, and sphere of influence; your professional publications and papers; your service and professional activity; and your teaching and training experiences

A professional writing sample, which could be a master’s thesis, a final paper for a course, a conference paper, a briefing paper or a news article

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
For international students, TOEFL test results are also required

The department’s TOEFL score minimum must total at least 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based. To qualify for a teaching assistantship, TOEFL score must total 650 paper-based, 280 computer-based, or 114 internet-based.

Application Deadlines
Completed applications must be received by September 15 for an October 1 decision, for enrollment the following spring semester. Completed applications must be received by January 15 for a February 1 decision, for enrollment the following fall semester.

Admission
Students wishing to apply to the master’s program must fulfill the following requirements for consideration:
Students must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized university or college.

Undergraduate G.P.A. must be at least 3.25 or equivalent.

Students must have adequate study in mass communication or speech communication and show potential to undertake advanced study and research as evidenced by academic performance and experience.

If you fail to meet minimum requirements, but demonstrate potential for successful graduate study, you may be admitted as a provisional or conditional student. Students who demonstrate ability to succeed in graduate study may apply for full graduate standing after no more than 12 credits of work have been completed.

Application Requirements
Applications must include:
Three letters of recommendation
GRE scores
TOEFL scores (required for international applicants)

The department’s TOEFL score minimum must total at least 600 paper-based, 250 computer-based, or 100 internet-based. To qualify for a teaching assistantship, TOEFL score must total 650 paper-based, 280 computer-based, or 114 internet-based.

The department sets no application deadline, but several weeks are required to process applications. Students wishing to be considered for graduate assistantships must submit their applications by March 1.

More and more students are discovering the value of advanced professional study. This is mirrored in the Department of Communication’s master’s program, which contains more master’s students than almost any other department. Graduate study is not only helpful for secondary school teachers who wish to enhance their education for higher salary and advancement; many communication-related industries find a graduate degree a useful and sometimes indispensable resource for staff. This is especially true in management positions.

Of course, students also continue work at the master’s level to prepare for doctoral study. The department offers preparation for that goal, and for communication professionals as well. About 15 percent of our master’s degree students continue in a Ph.D. program, either at NDSU or elsewhere.

Many students considering Ph.D.-level study choose the thesis option: students are required to write a thesis demonstrating a high level of quantitative or qualitative research knowledge. Some students choose a non-thesis option by taking another class and writing an in-depth essay or other project as agreed upon by the department and the student’s major advisor. Students may pursue an M.A. or an M.S.

Degree Requirements (requirements listed here are effective beginning Fall 2006)
In addition to meeting the requirements of the Graduate School, students must satisfy the following requirements.

Requirement 1: Course Work (54 Semester Credit Hours)

Students in the doctoral program will develop individualized plans of study in consultation with advisors. Students will complete at least 54 hours of graduate course work, including

English 610: Doctoral Proseminar in Rhetoric and Professional Communication;
6 credit hours in research methods;
12 credit hours in core courses;
15 to 18 credit hours in courses in an area of specialization.

English 610: Doctoral Proseminar (3 credit hours). Students must successfully complete English 610: Proseminar in Rhetoric and Professional Communication, during their first semester in the program.

Research Methods (6 credit hours). Students must successfully complete two courses in research methods. The English Department offers four methods courses. With the advisor’s approval, students may also substitute relevant methods courses offered in other departments across the university.

Engl 548: Graduate Study in Empirical Research
Engl 601: Qualitative Research
Engl 602: Quantitative Research
Engl 603: Rhetorical Criticism

Core Courses (12 credit hours). Students must successfully complete at least one course in each of four core areas.

Core Composition Courses
Engl 664: Composition History and Theory
Engl 571: Composition Pedagogy and Practicum [designed for first-semester English Dept. graduate assistants]

Core Critical/Cultural Studies Courses
Engl 517: Graduate Study in Critical Theory
Engl 668: Rhetorical/Cultural Studies

Core Professional Communication Courses
Engl 512: Graduate Study in Writing in the Workplace
Engl 572: Technical & Professional Communication: Theory and Pedagogy

Core Rhetoric Courses
Engl 518: History of Rhetoric
Engl 519: Modern Rhetorical Theory

Specialized Courses (15-18 credit hours)
Students must successfully complete 15-18 credit hours in a specialized area. Students define their specialized area, a coherent set of related courses drawn from both inside and outside the Department of English, in consultation with their doctoral committee. Possible specializations include Border Rhetorics and Cultures; Writing Program Administration/Writing Center Administration; Assessment; Pedagogy; Literacy Studies; Identity and Political and Social Rhetoric; Multimedia Rhetoric and Design; Intercultural Rhetorics; Writing Across the Curriculum; Workplace Communication; and the Rhetoric of Science.

Communication Arts - Media Studies

TV. Radio. The Internet. Print media. Text messaging and cell phones. E-mail. News feeds. There’s a virtual vortex of information that travels the globe every day at lightning speed. These communications must be accurate, timely, relevant, and formatted for various media.

The field of communications has melded with technology to produce a complex network of media that opens up exciting possibilities. As more and more companies spread across the globe and buy, sell, and trade internationally, there is a critical need for media professionals who can marry the technology and the messaging in their profession.

The Mount’s Communication Arts program offers students two degree programs - Media Studies and Public Relations.

The Media Studies major at Mount Saint Mary College is designed to prepare students for graduate study or entry-level positions in the various media professions: newspapers, magazines, publishing, radio, television and telecommunications.

Our highly qualified faculty brings years of practical media experience to the classroom. Not only will you learn from the best, you’ll learn in an environment that encourages you to reach your potential.

As a Media Studies major you’ll have an opportunity to gain real world experience on campus in our state-of-the-arts media lab and television studio.

Combine this with distinguished faculty, small classes and a multimedia production studio and it is easy to see that the Mount has an excellent program that will challenge students and help them fulfill their career potential.

The Organizational Communication Option is designed to educate students entering the fields of business and social service as managers, trainers, human resource officers, and corporate communication staff. This option also provides excellent preparation for graduate study in communication as well as law. The programs in Organizational Communication enable the student (1) to acquire a mature understanding of interaction and other communication issues in organizational situations; (2) to improve the ability to contribute to productive organizational performance; (3) to increase personal effectiveness related to technical communication concerns; and (4) to apply learning to real-life organizational settings.

The Theatre Option provides a general knowledge of the various components of the art of the theatre and a foundation for further study or training. The program offers exposure to acting, directing, play reading, and theatre history. Students are given opportunities to perform in the classroom, on the stage, and in the community.