Communication and Composition (MS)

Summary

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. 

Catalog Year

2024-2025

Degree

Master of Science

Major Credits

37

Total Credits

37

Locations

Online

Career Cluster

Arts, Audio/Video, Technology, and Communications

Apply

Program Requirements

Common Core

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

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

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)

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

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 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

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.

Topics relating to creative writing. May be repeated with different subject matter.

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

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).

A focus on the theory and practice of developing advocacy campaigns. Topics include audience research, message creation, message distribution, network analysis, and campaign effectiveness.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

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

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

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

This is a special interest course devoted to the development of students¿ understanding of the strategies and practices of communication in cultural contexts. The course is an experiential course involving travel, typically outside the United States.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

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

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

.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

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

This course will focus on preparing professional trainers and developers in communication teaching, training and development.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

This course includes the skills in the analysis, application, and evaluation of argumentative communication.

Prerequisites: none

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

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

Advanced independent study.

Prerequisites: none

Capstone Course

Choose 1 Credit(s). Only one discipline is required. Consult with your advisor. COMM 650 is required if selecting COMM 694 or COMM 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 and 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

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

Summer - 6 Credits

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

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

Second Year

Fall - 9 Credits

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

Spring - 4 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.