Communication
Graduate Programs
Description
The School of Communication (COMM) prepares students to become engaged, knowledgeable, and ethical communicators, advocates, and storytellers. We inspire students to embrace media technologies, create diverse stories, think critically about social relations, and foster the public good by advancing socially responsible communication practices through education, research, and service. Communication Studies and Mass Communication are the foundation for the School.
- Communication Studies (CMST) fosters ethical and effective communication as the foundation of civic and multicultural society. The program prepares students for successful career and lifelong learning by focusing on how to craft culturally appropriate messages, build relationships across differences, lead diverse communities, and engage in research to advance meaningful social change.
- Mass Communication (MASS) fosters the public good by advancing socially responsible communication through education, research and service. The focus is on preparing students for careers as ethical and responsible public communicators, innovative creators of media texts, and competent professionals in the fields of news, public relations, and other media-related occupations.
Majors |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication and Composition MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
37 / 37 |
| Communication Studies MA | MA - Master of Arts |
|
33 / 33 |
| Communication Studies MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
36 / 36 |
| Cross Disciplinary Studies MS | MS - Master of Science |
|
37 / 37 |
| Forensics Communication MFA | MFA - Master of Fine Arts |
|
48 / 48 |
Certificates |
Program | Locations | Major / Total Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Education GC |
|
18 / 18 | |
| Professional Communication GC |
|
18 / 18 |
Policies & Faculty
Policies
Admission
The complete admission process is detailed at www.mnsu.edu/cmst/programs/gradapplication.html.
In addition to completing the minimum requirements for the College of Graduate Studies and Research, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better in overall undergraduate studies and a 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work.
In one packet, students submit the following: three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge competence in communication scholarship (e.g., a writing sample demonstrating research, sound analysis, organization, and evidence such as a term paper, convention paper, professional report): and a statement of personal, educational, and professional goals.
The graduate coordinator in the department examines applications and determines if requirements have been met. If an applicant does not meet the requirements, admission may be provisional. Probationary status may be provided for applicants with an undergraduate degree whose GPA is below admission standards under the following conditions: Acceptable performance on the GRE and/or acceptance of a student petition and contingency of adherence to contract terms formulated by graduate faculty. International applicants are required to have a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 80 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.
Credit Limits
- A maximum of six (6) graduate credits from "Speech-Debate" courses may be applied toward satisfactory completion of the Master of Arts, Master of Science, and Master of Fine Arts-Forensics in Communication Studies. The limit may be waived with the consent of a student’s graduate advisor.
- A maximum of three (3) credits from CMST 677-Individual Study may be applied toward completion of the Master of Science in Communication Studies. The limit may be waived with the consent of the graduate advisor.
- A maximum of three (3) credits from CMST 697-Internship may be applied toward completion of the Master of Science in Communication Studies.
- A maximum of six (6) combined credits from CMST 677-Individual Study and CMST 697-Internship may be applied toward completion of the Master of Arts or Master of Fine Arts in Communication Studies. The limit may be waived with the consent of the graduate advisor.
- Credit limits may be waived with the consent of the graduate advisor.
Internship Credit Requirements (CMST 697)
In compliance with federal curricular policy, standard expectations are 45 hours of on-site internship experience for each credit hour earned.
Cross-Disciplinary Studies Capstone Options
Students who plan to complete a Cross-Disciplinary Studies capstone in Communication Studies will be limited to either an Alternate Plan Paper (APP), Internship, or Portfolio.
Admission to Cross-Disciplinary Studies
Admission to the Cross-Disciplinary Studies MS is based on successful admission to the two 18-credit graduate certificates which form the primary content for the degree. When one has been admitted to both graduate certificates, admission to the MS is approved upon formal application.
Capstone Course: A 1-credit capstone course is required to complete the degree. The capstone options and composition of a student's capstone committee is determine by the policy and procedures of the discipline in which the capstone is selected.
Contact Information
Communication Studies, 230 Armstrong Hall
Mass Communication, 136 Nelson Hall
School of Communication
College of Humanities and Social Sciences
Mass Communication 507-389-6417
http://www.mnsu.edu/cmst/
http://link.mnsu.edu/masscomm
Faculty
Chair Communication Studies
- Sachi Sekimoto, Ph.D.
Chair Mass Communication
- Amy Lauters, Ph.D.
Faculty
- Farah Azhar, Ph.D.
- Christopher Brown, Ph.D.
- Katie Brunner, MFA
- Daniel Cronn-Mills, Ph.D.
- Kristen Cvancara, Ph.D.
- James Dimock, MFA
- David Engen, Ph.D.
- Ivana Guarasi, Ph.D.
- Rachael Hanel, Ph.D.
- Laura Jacobi, Ph.D.
- Anne Kerber, Ph.D.
- Amy Lauters, Ph.D.
- Charles Lewis, Ph.D.
- Heather McIntosh, Ph.D.
- Deepa Oommen, Ph.D.
- Justin Rudnick, Ph.D.
- Emily Sauter, Ph.D.
- Sachi Sekimoto, Ph.D.
- Jen Tiernan, Ph.D.
- Kristen Treinen, Ph.D.
- Leah White, Ph.D.
500 Level
Credits: 3
.This course is designed to develop an understanding of how gender and communication interact. Students learn the basic theories and principles of communication as it applies to gender and develop skills to enhance communication between and among gender groups.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The course focuses on theoretical and applied aspects of persuasion. The aim is to apply theories and research findings in the area of persuasion to the development of social and political campaigns.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is an overview of key performance studies concepts, including cultural performance, performance of everyday life, theories of play, social influence, and identity performance. Students will develop and present performance as a means to understand theoretical concepts.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Special interest courses devoted to specific topics within relationship communication. Topics vary, and course may be retaken for credit under different topic headings.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to develop an understanding of speech communication in the organizational context. The course will aid each individual in working more effectively within any type of organization through exposure to major theories and works in the area of organizational communication.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The course provides explanations and analysis of the historical evolution of American mass communication from the colonial period of the 1600s to the present. Students will study media history within the broader contexts of American social and cultural history. Developing a deeper understanding of how mass media evolved will lead to a deeper and more effective comprehension of the roles and effects of mass communication in today's society. Students will also examine and apply historical research methods, theory and historiography to investigate aspects of American mass communication history.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Special interest courses devoted to specific topics within the intersecting fields of rhetoric and culture. Topics vary, and course may be retaken for credit under different topic headings.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Special interest courses devoted to specific topics within field of American Public Address. Topics vary, and course may be retaken for credit under different topic headings.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The course is devoted to the development of students' understanding of the strategies and practices of communication in cultural contexts. The course is experiential involving travel, typically outside the United States.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course interrogates difference as a communicative production. Students will examine social identities¿in the form of race, social class, sex/gender/sexuality, age, and ability¿as socially constructed communication phenomena used to understand the self and others. The course will involve both historical and contemporary investigations of how social identities have been produced through time, and how they continue to affect¿and be affected by¿everyday communication practices. In short, this course will investigate the dynamic relationship between culture and identity, and how communication facilitates that relationship.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
The course fulfills secondary licensure requirements for Communication Arts and Literature. First, the course covers teaching methods and materials needed to develop units for communication courses in grades 5-12. Second, the course covers methods and techniques in the development of competitive speech programs in grades 5-12.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
A critical analysis of contemporary social movement discourse and the means for advocacy by a movement. We examine communication theories, issues, trends, social movement processes, advocacy strategies, and how it all ties back into the field of contemporary communication studies.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Grassroots campaigning is a proven strategy of civic discourse, engagement, and advocacy. Grassroots organizing works from the bottom up and is uniquely suited to engage historically marginalized constituencies and to amplify the voiced of traditionally excluded populations. This course emphasizes a practical, skills-based approach grassroots advocacy using communication strategies and tactics.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Course is designed to give students a theoretical understanding of competitive speech and debate.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 4
In this advanced nonfiction writing course, students will analyze examples of short-form and long-form professional media writing and provide analysis. Students will employ techniques to create a portfolio of short-form and long-form persuasive, informative, and personal writing for a variety of media markets.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
A course designed for students who have a general interest in communication studies. Content of each special topics course will be different. May be retaken for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This theory and research-oriented course examines the relationship between communication and conflict, and is designed to provide students with knowledge andskills in dealing with conflict situations.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
CMST 550-557 are a series modules and focused on graduate-level speech and debate. The modules have strong application to teaching at a community/technical college and coaching at all educational levels. Contact the department graduate coordinator for permission to register.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with the theoretical foundations necessary to both participate in and critique arguments. Students will engage contemporary theories of argumentation and apply those theories in discussion and debate.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Special interest courses devoted to specific topics within health communication. Topics vary, and course may be retaken for credit under different topic headings.Prerequisites: none
600 Level
Credits: 3
An introduction to the communication field focusing on theory construction and the function of communication theory/models in the human experience. Contemporary theories of communication will be reviewed.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Required for all graduate students in the Department of Communication Studies. Surveys traditional pedagogoical theories as well as critical pedagagical theories as they pertain to teaching communication courses.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0
Open only to teaching assistants of basic course in Communication Studies. Covers course design, course evaluation, methodologies for skill development, and related topics.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course will focus on preparing professional trainers and developers in communication teaching, training and development.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Course is designed to prepare students for online communication best practices. The course focuses on the unique components and qualities to prepare for communication studies courses in an online environment including discussions and chats, online public presentations, online small groups, and other online forms of communication.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course explores theories, concepts, and issues relevant to understanding communication in culturally diverse contexts. Course instructors will use specific topics and case studies to examine and understand the intersections of culture and communication. The emphasis will be placed on developing critical literacy to engage complex issues in an increasingly global world.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course introduces graduate study in the varied fields of mediated communication. It uses a theory-driven, case-study approach to introduce common theoretical approaches to media study and professional practice.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate qualitative research as it appears in scholarly writing and to perform qualitative research in the academic or organizational context with the rigor appropriate to that context.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
his course is designed to provide graduate students in Communication Studies with knowledge and skills necessary to evaluate quantitative research as it appears in scholarly writing and to perform quantitative research in the academic or organizational context with the rigor appropriate to that context.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course explores the reasons we have difficulty communicating with people from other cultures, why misunderstandings occur, and how to build clearer and more productive cross-cultural relationships.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course includes the skills in the analysis, application, and evaluation of argumentative communication.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course explores and critically examines interpersonal communication theory development, current research and leading theoretical perspectives, and potential applications in contemporary interpersonal communication contexts and relationships.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to help prepare students for their professional roles as directors or assistant directors of collegiate or high school forensics programs.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
This course is designed to enhance the communication skills of professionals. Students will learn theory and techniques of presentation for academic conferences, professional meetings, business and industry presentations, interviews, and group meetings. The use of technology in professional communication will be highlighted.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Provides a foundation in public relations management within different types of organizations. Includes coverage and critical evaluation of organizational structures, management styles, strategy implementation, crisis communication, and other situations within public relations management.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
This course provides both graduate students and faculty the opportunity to work together with a specific theme that is timely and relevant to the field. May be repeated for credit.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 0
Capstone Prospectus requires a student seeking an MA, MS, or MFA to complete a research proposal. The student defends the prospectus before their committee. See advisor for specifics.Prerequisites: CMST 611 or 612
Credits: 0
The course requires a graduate student seeking an MFA to successfully pass comprehensive exams. The student is required to enroll and take the exams at least one semester before graduation. See advisor for specifics on the comprehensive exam.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Theory and practice of social media in professional settings. Includes strategies for content development, network analysis, and analytics.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Advanced independent study.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-4
.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 3
Special interest courses devoted to specific topics within mass media theory and practice. Topics vary, and course may be retaken for credit under different topic headings.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-3
Review and interpretation of a body of research.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Provides first-hand experience in applying communication theories in the workplace under the direction of an on-site supervisor.Prerequisites: none
Credits: 1-6
Original research which meets accepted research standards.Prerequisites: none
