Speech Communication offers programs leading to the Master of Arts, Master of Fine Arts, and the Master of Science degrees. Programs are available for all students who have a bachelor's degree. Students must complete graduate courses in communication theory and research methods and may design the remainder of their program with the approval of the Graduate Coordinator in Speech Communication.
Admission
In addition to completing the minimum requirements for the College of Graduate Studies and Research, students must also have a GPA of 2.75 or better in overall undergraduate studies and a 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate work. In one packet, students should submit the following items: three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge competence in speech 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 examines applications and determines if requirements have been met. If an applicant does not meet the requirements, admission may be provisional. Probationary status will be provided for applicants with an undergraduate degree whose GPA is below admission standards under the following conditions: Acceptable performance on the GRE of 1200 OR acceptance of a student petition and contingency of adherence to contract terms formulated by graduate faculty. Completion of the contract requirements will result in a change to a regular admission status.
Students with a major in Speech Communication may repeat any course in the department in an effort to improve grades. A student may repeat a specific course only once. In exceptional circumstances, a student may appeal to the department chair for a second repeat of a course. The official grade for the course, listings on a student's transcript, and other matters related to course repeats will adhere to appropriate university policies.
Send the following materials to the College of Graduate Studies:
- completed Application for Graduate Study(365KB PDF). Please note that this is a two page application. Page two must be submitted in duplicate. An online application is also available
- two official transcripts from the degree–granting institution(s)
- completed immunization form(53KB PDF)
- Non-degree applicants are not required to pay an application fee. A $40 fee is required of applicants applying to a degree program.
Send the following materials to the Speech Communication Department:
- three letters of recommendation from individuals qualified to judge competence in speech scholarship
- a writing sample demonstrating research, sound analysis, organization and evidence such as a term paper, convention paper, professional report, etc.
- a statement of personal, educational and professional goals.
Graduate Assistantships
A Graduate Assistantship Application(pdf) is available online.
Full graduate assistantships at MSU pay a stipend of $9,000 for the academic year. A full assistantship also carries a waiver of up to nine graduate credits per semester. To be eligible for an assistantship, the student must be eligible for admission to a Minnesota State University, Mankato graduate program. Graduate Assistants must enroll in a minimum of six credits per semester.
Required Speech Communication Core (6-9 credits)
SPEE 600 Seminar in Communication Theory (3)
SPEE 601 Communication Research Methods (3)
SPEE 602 Communication Pedagogy (3)
SPEE 603 Strategies: Basic (0) **required only of Graduate Teaching Assistants
Required Speech Communication Electives (12-15 credits)
Choose 5/600 level electives in consultation with an advisor
Required Supporting Field Electives (6-9 credits)
Choose any 5/600 level related elective in consultation with an advisor
Required Thesis or Alternate Plan Paper (2-6 credits)
SPEE 694 Alternate Plan Paper (2 credits)
SPEE 699 Thesis (3-6 credits)
Appropriate research tools such as ethnography, critical analysis, language, statistics or others may be required by the department. No P/N credit is acceptable in fulfilling major requirements except in the case of theses, practicums, internships, in-service courses and individual study, and then only by special permission of the department. Fifty percent (50 percent) of all coursework must be at the 600 level, not including thesis or alternate plan.
Master of Fine Arts-Forensics (MFA-FORENSICS)
(Thesis Option - 48 credits)
The Master of Fine Arts Forensics degree is a terminal degree for forensic professionals. Students who wish to teach and direct forensics programs a the college level will find the MFA is appropriate, tenurable degree at many four-year institutions around the country. The degree additionally certifies intense study of the theory and practice of communicative public performance for those students whose career aspirations are outside of collegiate forensics and teaching. Those students will find the degree as appropriate training for careers as a communication consultant, a motivational speaker and a communication trainer.
Frequently Asked Questions about the MFA-Forensics degree
Policy for Transfer of Credits from MA/MS to the MFA-Forensics
Required Speech Communication Core (33 credits)
Required Courses (21 credits)
SPEE 509 Performance Studies (3)
SPEE 530 Directing Forensic Activities (3)
SPEE 600 Seminar in Communication Theory (3)
SPEE 601 Communication Research Methods (3)
SPEE 602 Communication Pedagogy (3)
SPEE 603 Strategies: Basic (0) * required only of Graduate Teaching Assistants
SPEE 630 Forensics Practicum (3)
SPEE 699 Thesis (3-6; max of three applied to program)
Choose one course from:
SPEE 512 Organizational Communication (3)
SPEE 545 Conflict Management (3)
Choose one course from:
SPEE 513 Advanced Intercultural Communication (3)
SPEE 621 Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
Choose one course from:
SPEE 500 American Public Address (3)
SPEE 501 Rhetoric of Western Thought (3)
SPEE 620 Modern Rhetorical Criticism (3)
Choose one course from:
SPEE 504 Teaching Speech Communication (3)
SPEE 633 Communication for Professionals (3)
Required Speech Communication Electives (9 credits)
Choose 5/600 level electives in consultation with an advisor
Required Supporting Field Electives (6 credits)
Choose any 5/600 level related electives in consultation with an advisor.
Appropriate research tools such as ethnography, critical analysis, language, statistics or others may be required by the department. No P/N credit is acceptable in fulfilling major requirements except in the case of thesis, practicums, internships, in-service courses and individual study, and then only by special permission of the department. Fifty percent (50 %) of all coursework must be at the 600 level, not including thesis or alternate plan.
Master of Science (MS)
(Project Option - 36 credits)
Required Speech Communication Core (15 - 18 credits)
SPEE 600 Seminar in Communication Theory (3)
SPEE 601 Communication Research Methods (3)
SPEE 602 Communication Pedagogy (3)
SPEE 603 Strategies: Basic Course (0) *required only of Teaching Assistants
SPEE 697 Internship (6-9)
Required Speech Communication Electives (12 - 15 credits)
Choose 5/600 level electives in consultation with an advisor
Required Supporting Field Electives (6 credits)
Choose any 5/600 level related elective courses
Employers routinely cite the need for effective oral, interpersonal and group communication skills. The Graduate Certificate in Professional Communication, offered by the Department of Speech Communication at Minnesota State University, Mankato, integrates communication theory, research and practical skills to provide students with the necessary abilities to succeed in a variety of professional arenas.
Our program has been developed primarily for working professionals who are unable to enroll in a traditional face-to-face graduate degree program. The graduate certificate program is offered entirely online. Prospective students can complete our program while continuing to work, and need not travel to Mankato for coursework. There is no residency requirement for this certificate.
Our program meets the needs of working students who have a bachelor’s degree in a communication-related field and are employed in an occupation in which they are using communication skills. Our program provides these students with advanced training in communication skills for job enhancement, promotion opportunities, and/or career re-training.
Certificate Program
The graduate certificate is 12 credits, all of which are available online and all of which will also transfer into the MA program in Speech Communication should students decide to continue. The program consists of two core courses, and then students may select two additional courses from four more offerings. The program is designed to be completed in two years or less. Each course listed below will be offered at least once every two years.
Core: 6 credits
SPEE 601: Communication Research Methods: Offered every spring
SPEE 633: Communication for Professionals: Offered every spring
Choose 6 credits from the following:
SPEE 512: Organizational Communication: Offered every spring
SPEE 515: Topics in Rhetoric and Culture: Offered every fall
SPEE 545: Conflict Management: Offered every spring beginning Spring 2009
SPEE 604: Communication Training and Development: Offered every fall
Admission to this program requires the following:
1. Scholastic requirements:
• 2.75 GPA or better on overall undergraduate work
• 3.00 GPA or better on overall undergraduate work in the last two years.
2. Documentation requirements:
• A statement of personal, educational and professional goals
Admission process:
The Graduate Coordinator examines applications for admission and determines if the GPA (overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale and/or a 3.0 for the last 2 years of undergraduate work) requirements are met. If the applicant does not meet the requirements, admission may be provisional.
Provisional admission:
Probationary Status will be provided for applicants with an undergraduate degree whose GPA is below regular admission standards under the following conditions:
1. An applicant may be admitted on the basis of their performance on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). Acceptable performance is a composite score of 1380 and at least one subtest of 500, OR
2. An applicant may petition the graduate faculty for provisional admission. In such cases, admission will be contingent upon the student's adherence to contract terms formulated by graduate faculty stipulating specific performance requirements.
3. Completion of the contract requirements will result in a change to a regular admission status.
Retention requirements:
• Admitted applicants to the Speech Communication Graduate Certificate Program must maintain a scholastic standing of 3.0 GPA in overall graduate coursework.
Contact Information:
Please contact Kathy Steiner (kathleen.steiner@mnsu.edu; 507-389-2213), department administrative assistant, for a complete certificate program package, including all application materials and forms.
SPEE 503 (3) Gender and Communication
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.
SPEE 504 (3) Teaching of Speech Communication
This course is designed to fulfill the Secondary Licensure requirement. The course covers teaching methods and materials needed to develop speech communication units for the secondary speech communication courses.
SPEE 509 (3) Performance Studies
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 performances as a means to understand theoretical concepts.
SPEE 512 (3) Organizational Communication
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.
SPEE 513 (3) Advanced Intercultural Communication
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.
SPEE 515 (3) Topics in Rhetoric and Culture
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.
SPEE 516 (3) Topics in American Public Address
Special interest courses devoted to specific topics within the field of American
Public Address. Topics vary, and course may be retaken for credit under different
topic headings.
SPEE 530 (3) Directing Forensic Activity
Methods and techniques in the development of competitive speech programs.
SPEE 540 (1-3) Special Topics
A course designed for students who have a general interest in speech communication.
Content of each special topics course will be different. May be retaken
for credit.
SPEE 545 (3) Conflict Management
This theory and research-oriented course examines the relationship between
communication and conflict, and is designed to provide students with knowledge
and skills in dealing with conflict situations.
SPEE 600 (3) Seminar in Communication Theory
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.
SPEE 601 (3) Communication Research Methods
Graduate students will gain a basic understanding of the Social Science
research process as it applies to the field of communication. Quantitative
and qualitative
research designs, methods, and data analysis procedures will be reviewed.
Students will research and prepare a research proposal document.
SPEE 602 (3) Communication Pedagogy
Required of all graduate students in the Department of Speech Communication.
Surveys traditional pedagogical theories as well as critical pedagogical
theories as they pertain to teaching communication courses.
SPEE 603 (0) Stategies: Basic
Open only to teaching assistants of basic course in Speech Communication.
Covers course design, course evaluation, methodologies for skill development,
and related topics.
SPEE 620 (3) Modern Rhetorical Criticism
This course includes the skills in the analysis, application, and evaluation
of argumentative communication.
SPEE 621 (3) Advanced Interpersonal Communication
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.
SPEE 630 (3) Forensics Practicum
This course is designed to help prepare students for their professional
roles as directors or assistant directors of collegiate or high school
forensics
programs.
SPEE 633 (3) Communication for Professionals
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.
SPEE 640 (1-3) Special Topics
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.
SPEE 677 (1-6) Individual Study
Advanced independent study.
SPEE 690 (1-4) Workshop
Topics vary as announced in class schedules.
SPEE 694 (1-2) Alternate Plan Paper
Review and interpretation of a body of research.
SPEE 697 (1-12) Internship
Provides first-hand experience in applying communication theories in the
workplace under the direction of an on-site supervisor.
SPEE 699 (3-6) Thesis
Original research which meets accepted research standards.
