A multi-disciplinary program designed for individuals with an interest in teaching both communication asnd composition at community colleges and technical colleges. Most states require a minimum of 18 in-discipline credit hours to teach at community and technical colleges.
Courses in the master's degree may double-count in the Communication Education graduate certificate and the Teaching of Writing graduate certificate. Students are highly encouraged to apply for graduation in all three credentials.
Program Requirements
Common Core
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
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
Introduction to the major theories of the nature of composition and their pedagogical application.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will examine current instructional practices used to teach writing in academic settings. This course can be repeated for credits as the topic changes each time it is offered.
Prerequisites:
none
Research/Methods Course(s)
A research course from both disciplines is required (3 credits ENG, 3 credits COMM).
Communication Research - Choose 3 Credit(s).
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
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
This course includes the skills in the analysis, application, and evaluation of argumentative communication.
Prerequisites:
none
English Research - Choose 3 Credit(s).
This course will introduce methods of inquiry-based research for investigating writing practices and pedagogy; this research could be conducted in classrooms for the purpose of improving teaching practices, students' learning, and/or institutional curricular design and practices.
Prerequisites:
none
Restricted Electives
Composition Electives - Choose 9 Credit(s). * Students are required to take ENG 555 for at least 3 credits to earn the degree. * Special topics courses are subject to approval by advisor. * ENG 622 or ENG 623 may be taken, with the permission of the instructor, as a substitution for ENG 655. * ENG 622 and 623 are only offered face-to-face.
This course familiarizes students with various approaches and strategies to the teaching of creative writing. Discussions of classroom practices and pedagogical theories as well as teaching demonstrations prepare students to plan and develop an introductory-level creative writing course.
Prerequisites:
none
Students will examine a current area of interest in the field of Writing Studies, including the topic's theoretical, scholarly, and pedagogical implications for writing and/or the teaching of writing. This course can be repeated for credit as the topic changes each time it is offered.
Prerequisites:
none
Advanced interdisciplinary writing emphasizes critical reading and thinking, argumentative writing, library research, and documentation of sources in an academic setting. Practice and study of selected rhetorics of inquiry employed in academic disciplines preparing students for different systems of writing.
Prerequisites:
none
This course is designed to familiarize students with current theories and practices of writing centers as well as to provide training in working with writers one-on-one. During the course, students will discuss best practices for teaching writing and examine the roles writing centers play in helping students negotiate the terrain of college literacy. The focus of the course will be to prepare students in the history of writing centers, to discuss the current scholarship and theory on best practices in writing centers, and to outline and provide interactive opportunities into the pedagogy of writing center tutoring.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduction to theory and best practices of teaching second language grammar and vocabulary to a variety of English learners in multiple contexts - specifically focusing on content based teaching practices.
Prerequisites:
none
Introduction to theory and best practices of teaching second language reading and writing to a variety of English learners in multiple contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
This course aims to develop students¿ understanding of the interdisciplinary field of second language (L2) writing and, more specifically, the unique characteristics and instructional needs of L2 writers across multiple contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
Exploration of second language literacy as a situated social practice. Current second language literacy theories and practices are studied and applied to a variety of second language reading and writing instructional contexts.
Prerequisites:
none
This course examines the teaching of literature across collegiate levels and is designed for English graduate students. It is both practical and theoretical, examining topics such as: the purposes for teaching literature and teaching critical thinking; pedagogical approaches for teaching literature; and designing syllabi, lesson plans, and assignments. We will explore these topics through a variety of texts and perspectives. Assignments will include creating syllabi and lesson plans, reviewing scholarship on a particular topic related to the teaching of literature, and a conference paper on some aspect of the teaching of literature.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will explore the theoretical and practical implications of integrating literature into the composition classroom.
Prerequisites:
none
Examination of instructional design principles and models, including research in theory and practice of instructional design for technical communicators in academic and industry settings.
Prerequisites:
none
Communication Electives - Choose 9 Credit(s).
Prerequisites:
none
Capstone Course
Choose 1 Credit(s). Only one discipline is required. Consult with your advisor. CMST 650 is required if selecting CMST 694 or CMST 697.
Capstone Prospectus requires a student to complete a capstone proposal. The student defends the prospectus before their committee. See advisor for specifics.
Prerequisites:
611 or 612
Review and interpretation of a body of research.
Prerequisites:
none
Provides first-hand experience in applying communication theories in the workplace under the direction of an on-site supervisor.
Prerequisites:
none
Independent capstone experience, focusing on secondary research sources; paper may have other guidelines specific to the program option.
Prerequisites:
none
On-site field experience, the nature of which is determined by the specific needs of the student's program option.
Prerequisites:
none
* Note: The credits earned in the Communication & Composition master's degree will double count toward the graduate certificates in Communication Pedagogy and Teaching Writing.
Degree Plan
The Degree Plan is a model for completing your degree in a timely manner. Your individual degree plan may change based on a number of variables including transfer courses and the semester/year you start your major. Carefully work with your academic advisors to devise your own unique plan. * Please meet with your advisor on appropriate course selection to meet your educational and degree goals.
First Year
Fall - 9 Credits
Introduction to the major theories of the nature of composition and their pedagogical application.
Prerequisites:
none
This course will introduce methods of inquiry-based research for investigating writing practices and pedagogy; this research could be conducted in classrooms for the purpose of improving teaching practices, students' learning, and/or institutional curricular design and practices.
Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Spring - 9 Credits
This course will examine current instructional practices used to teach writing in academic settings. This course can be repeated for credits as the topic changes each time it is offered.
Prerequisites:
none
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Summer - 6 Credits
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
Second Year
Fall - 9 Credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Spring - 4 Credits
Elective Course in Major *3 credits
Capstone Course *1 credits
Policies
Admission:
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.
Applicants must have at least 30 semester hours in language, literature, communication studies, or related courses, with at least 20 credits in upper-division courses.
In addition to providing the materials required by the College of Graduate Studies and Research, applicants must submit all of the following materials in order to be considered for admission to the program:
a 1-3 page statement of personal, educational, and professional goals that addresses your interest in both Communication and Composition;
three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge your academic competence in communication and composition;
and an original, sole-authored writing sample demonstrating your ability to organize and compose a sound analysis using evidence and external sources (preferably a research or term paper of about 5-10 pages).
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, a minimum IELTS score of 6.5, or a minimum Duolingo English score of 110.
