Communication Education (GC)

Catalog Year 2025-2026

Courses in the graduate certificate may double-count toward the Communication & Composition (C&C) master's degree. Completion of the master's qualifies the student to also earn a graduate certificate in the Teaching of Writing (English). Students in C&C are highly encouraged to apply for graduation in all three credentials.

 

Program Requirements

Common Core

Choose 3 credits

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

Restricted Electives

Teaching - Choose 3 - 6 Credit(s). If a student takes both COMM 600 and COMM 602, only 9 credits are required in the Theory & Practice Category.

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

Unrestricted Electives

Theory & Practice - Choose 9 - 12 Credit(s). 12 credits are required unless a student takes both COMM 600 and COMM 602 in the Teaching category.

Prerequisites:
none

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 - 6 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Spring - 6 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Summer - 6 Credits

Elective Course in Major * 3 credits
Elective Course in Major * 3 credits

Policies

Admission and completion of the Communication Education graduate certificate are set by the policies of the College of Graduate Studies and Research.

Degree
Certificate

Major Credits
18

Total Credits
18

Locations
Mankato; Online

Career Cluster
Arts, Audio