Graduate Program Handbook
Speech Communication Department
Minnesota State, Mankato
Table of Contents
I. Admission to the University—College of Graduate Studies
II. Requirements for admission to the Speech Communication Graduate
III. Admission process to the Speech Communication Master program
IV. Criteria for Funding of Teaching/Research Assistants
V. Summer Teaching by Non-Faculty
VI. Program Process:
VII. Qualifying Exam
VIII. Planning and completing the Masters Project (Thesis, Alternate Plan, Project Option)
IX. Completion Time Limits:
Graduate Program Plan of Study
Thesis Proposal
I. Admission to the University—College of Graduate Studies
A. Undergraduate Degree
Students holding a Bachelor's Degree or an equivalent degree from a foreign country can be admitted to the graduate program.
B. Application Deadlines
New students must apply for admission to a program at least six (6) weeks prior to the beginning of a new semester (July 1 for fall, November 1st for spring).
C. Application Forms
Students seeking to earn a graduate degree must complete the Application for Admission to a Graduate Degree Program (see Appendices Form #1 ) and supply two official copies of their undergraduate transcript. Application forms and transcripts are sent to the College of Graduate Studies.
II. Requirements for admission to the Speech Communication Graduate
A. Minimum GPA requirements for admission to the Speech Communication
Master's Degree programs are as follows:
1. Scholastic requirements:
2. Documentation requirements: All documentation materials must be submitted in one completed packet.
B. Retention requirements: Admitted applicants to the Speech
Communication Master program must maintain a Scholastic Standing
of:
III. Admission process to the Speech Communication Master program
A. 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.
B. Provisional admission:
Probationary Status will be provided for applicants with an undergraduate
degree whose GPA is below regular admission standards under the following
conditions:
IV. Criteria for Funding of Teaching/Research Assistants
The following criteria establish a hierarchy in descending order for the funding of Graduate Assistants in the Department of Speech Communication:
1 Graduate students applying for a third year of funding to earn an MFA in Speech Communication
2 Graduate students applying for a second year of funding to earn a Master's degree in Speech Communication
3 Graduate students applying for a first year of funding to earn a Master's degree in Speech Communication.
First-year funding has the following additional hierarchical criteria:
A Full admission to Speech Communication graduate program
B Undergraduate major/minor in Speech Communication
C Undergraduate major/minor in related/supporting field to Speech Communication
D Background in teaching and/or forensics
E Probationary admission to Speech Communication graduate program
F Admission to multi-disciplinary graduate program (with Speech Communication as one of the areas)
G Admission to graduate program other than speech communication
4 Graduate students applying for a third year of funding to earn a Master's degree in Speech Communication (MA/MS only)
5 Graduate students in multi-disciplinary programs with Speech Communication as one of their emphases (1st or 2nd year of funding)
6 Students with a background in speech communication enrolled in other graduate programs (1st or 2nd year of funding)
7 Graduate students in multi-disciplinary programs with Speech Communication as one of their emphases (3rd year of funding)
8 Students with a background in speech communication enrolled in other graduate programs at the university (3rd year of funding)
V. Summer Teaching by Non-Faculty (procedure)
VI. Program Process:
A. Advisor: When the student is admitted into the Speech Communication Graduate program, the Department Graduate Coordinator will automatically be assigned as Advisor. An appointment should be scheduled with the Advisor to discuss the student's program, interests and course options. The Advisor is available to answer any questions as the student moves through the graduate school experience.
B. Program progress review: The student's progress will be reviewed by the graduate committee as a whole at the completion of the first two semesters and recommendations will be made regarding the student's continued participation in the program.
C. Colloquium Presentation: Prior to graduation, all students must present at least one time at the Department Colloquium. These presentations will be oral reports based on thesis or alternate plan research, or on internships completed as part of the project option.
D. Plan of Study: The student must file a Plan of Study with the department before the completion of 20 graduate credits at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Failure to meet the credit timeline requirement will result in a delay in moving forward in the program.
The Plan of Study is an official listing of the student's total graduate degree program (past, present, future coursework). One-half of the total of the required credit hours must be at the 600 level, not including Thesis (3-6) or Alternate Plan Paper (2) credits. For example: A Masters of Arts degree requiring a total of 30-33 credit hours, less thesis credits (3-6) equals 12-14 hours of 600 level course work; Masters of Science requiring a total of 34 credit hours, less thesis or alternate plan paper credits, equals 14-16 hours of 600 level course work.
The Plan of Study must be signed by the student , the examining committee members, and the Graduate Coordinator.
At this point in the process, the student selects a Committee Chair/Advisor to supervise the program thesis, alternate plan or project. If a new Advisor (someone other than the originally assigned advisor) is selected, a Change of Advisor/Change of Program form must be completed. If, at a later date, the student makes any changes to the submitted Plan of Study, an amended Plan of Study must be filed noting such changes, e.g., coursework, committee members.
1. Selection of committee members : Committee members must be selected at the time the Plan of Study form is submitted. All committee members must have graduate faculty status. The following persons must sign the Plan of Study form and (prepared at a later date) the Thesis Proposal:
a.
Internship Project Report: Two graduate faculty members from within the
department
b.
Alternate Plan Paper: Two graduate faculty members from within the department
c.
Thesis: Two graduate faculty members from within the department; one graduate
faculty member from outside the department
d.
MFA Thesis: Two graduate faculty members from within the department; one graduate
faculty member from outside the department
2. Selection of Thesis or Alternate Plan Advisor/Committee: When choosing a Chair/ Advisor and committee members, the student needs to consider the following questions:
a.Does the student feel comfortable and confident with the
Chair/Advisor and/or committee members they are considering?
b.Do the Chair/Advisor and/or committee members have expertise
in the subject area the student plans to study?
c.Do the Chair/Advisor and/or committee members have expertise
in the methodologies the student plans to use?
VII. Qualifying Exam
A. Description of the Qualifying
Examination:
1. All graduate
students must pass the Qualifying Exam.
2. Students must
pass the Qualifying Exam before they can defend their thesis, alternate plan
paper, or project.
3. The
Qualifying Exam is offered twice a year: once during fall semester and once
during spring semester on dates to be determined each fall by the Qualifying
exam committee. Check with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Chair of the
Qualifying Exam Committee for specific details about distribution of questions
for the exam and the date the exam will be given each semester.
4. Students may
take the exam during any semester of their program. Students are strongly
encouraged to take the exam during their first year of the program.
5. A student's
Plan of Study must be filed with the Department before taking the Qualifying
Exam.
6. A
three-member committee of the graduate faculty administers the exam, giving
identical questions to all students taking the exam in a given semester.
7. The exam will
be given in-house over the course of six (6) hours on one day.
8. The committee
evaluates the exam by blind review.
9. Students
receive a Pass, Rewrite Required, or Do Not Pass on each
question. Students must earn a "Pass" on the entire Qualifying Exam
before they may defend a thesis, alternate plan paper, or project.
a. Pass on both
questions indicates the student has completed the Qualifying Examination and may
progress toward completing their degree program.
b. Rewrite Required on either/both question(s) indicates a portion of
the exam is evaluated as insufficient. The student has the option of rewriting
following these guidelines.
i. Students will
have the option of rewriting that portion of the exam judged insufficient.
ii. Students will have one week to
complete the rewrite.
iii. The rewrite period starts
immediately after the student meets with the Qualifying Exam Committee.
iv. A student will only have one
opportunity to rewrite a question. If a rewrite on a question is deemed
insufficient the student will receive a Do Not Pass on the question.
v. A student who chooses not to rewrite
a question will receive a Do Not Pass on the question.
c. Do Not Pass on
either question indicates a majority of the exam was evaluated as insufficient.
10. Students who
do not pass on a Rewrite Required or receive a Do Not
Pass may only take it one more time during a subsequent semester.
11. Students
must pass the Qualifying Exam before they can defend their thesis, alternate
plan paper, or project.
B. Specific Procedures for Administering
the Qualifying Exam
1. The exam will
be overseen by a common committee who writes two (2) questions.
A. Question One
is a theory question. In general
terms, the question will ask students to summarize, compare and contrast,
synthesize, and critique a communication situation using various communication
theories.
B. Question Two
addresses research/methods.
Students might be asked to create a research question focusing on a
particular topic, or might be given a research question in advance by the Exam
Committee.
2. The exam will
be given in-house over the course of six (6) hours on one day. Students will
receive a description of the question topics no later than 2 weeks prior to the
exam date. The specific questions will be provided at the exam site. Students
are encouraged to prepare ahead of time. Students may bring notes, articles,
books and an APA or MLA style guide to the exam site. In writing the exam,
students are reminded they will only have 6 hours for both questions, so they
must use their time accordingly.
3. Answers for
each major question may be no longer than 1,250 words, not including a Works
Cited/References.
C. Goals for the Qualifying Exam
The
Qualifying examination committee will evaluate the exams based on the following
goals created by the graduate faculty.
In
the Qualifying Examination, students will:
·
demonstrate a baseline of
content knowledge required of graduate-level work in speech communication.
·
demonstrate reading
comprehension regarding primary sources of academic communication theory.
·
demonstrate the ability to
find acceptable scholarly research on a topic using the library and scholarly
databases/indexes.
·
compare, contrast, and
synthesize different theoretical ideas.
·
identify assumptions in
reading material and critique those assumptions.
·
demonstrate an
understanding of research design/method.
·
formulate claims and
clearly generate support for each claim.
·
correctly use APA/MLA
citation style.
VIII. Planning and completing
the Masters Project (Thesis, Alternate Plan, Project Option)
A.
Making a decision: Choosing the correct program
3. Project Option: An
applied communication program which combines scholarship with extensive
experiences in a non-academic workplace. The project option is designed for
those students who wish to apply communication theory and skills in the
workplace. The written component of the project involves a combination of
review, analysis and/or synthesis of secondary sources, and application of that
material to a workplace situation. The project option requires a 9-credit
internship experience.
B.Selecting the Thesis Option:
Candidate will prepare a Thesis Proposal. A scheduled Candidate Thesis Proposal Review and Endorsement meeting involving all Committee Members will take place with the candidate before significant research begins. All Committee Members shall be fully informed and in agreement regarding the candidate's planned study, (e.g., topic selection, data collection and analysis procedures).
C. Selecting the Alternate Plan Option:
All Committee Members shall be fully informed and in agreement regarding the candidate's planned study, e.g. topic selection and project goals.
D. Selecting the Option:
A proposal or outline of the project should be prepared for all Committee Members. All Committee Members shall be fully informed and in agreement regarding the candidate's planned study and project goals. The Internship Option requires:
E. IRB Studies involving human subjects:
An Institution Review Board (IRB) form must be completed and attached to the Thesis Proposal form for any research involving human participants. The Thesis Proposal form outlines the proposed area of study, methodology and analysis procedures.
If human participants are included in the Alternate Plan Paper research, a clear explanation of the proposed project approved by the candidate's advisor/examining committee and an IRB approval form must be submitted to the College of Graduate Studies.
E. Completed draft (thesis/alternate plan paper): A draft of the research document must be in the hands of all committee members a minimum of 2 weeks prior to the scheduled oral defense of the work.
F. Scheduled Oral Examinations: The oral defense of Thesis and Alternate Plan Papers should occur at least 3-4 weeks before anticipated graduation to allow time for revisions and/or rewrites. Oral exams are regularly scheduled during Fall and Spring Semesters. The student will be responsible for coordinating the defense day and time with all Committee Members.
G. Summer Session Oral Examination Petition:
A petition requesting the scheduling of an oral examination in the summer must be submitted and approved five (5) weeks prior to the end of the Spring Semester. Oral examinations scheduled during Summer Sessions must be done so with the approval of the student's advisor, departmental and outside committee members and the Graduate Coordinator of the Department.
H.
Final draft (thesis/alternate
plan paper) deadline: The student's final document draft must be in the
Graduate Dean's Office at least one (1) month before anticipated graduation.
I.
Graduation:
IX. Completion Time Limits:
All work for a graduate degree must be completed within a six-year period.
X. CHECK LIST
___ Application for Admission to a Graduate Degree Program and official transcripts submitted to Graduate College (July 1 for fall, November 1 for spring)
___ Packet of applicant's program admission materials submitted to Speech Communication Graduate Coordinator, e.g., 3 letters of recommendation, writing sample, goal statements (July 1 for fall, November 1 for spring).
___ Graduate College Applicant's Admission Transmittal Form sent to Graduate Coordinator. Graduate College Admission materials and applicant's program admission materials reviewed by Graduate Coordinator. Decision made by Graduate Coordinator (in consultation with members of Graduate Committee in questionable cases) on applicant's admission status, e.g., Recommended Admission, Probational Admission, Denial. Applicant's Admission Transmittal Form completed and returned to Graduate College.
___ Graduate Coordinator assigned as new Graduate Student's Advisor. Graduate Coordinator serves as Advisor until the student determines and selects a primary Advisor. Student consults with Advisor on program interests, course options and requirements.
___ Progress Review: The student's progress has been reviewed by the Graduate Committee as a whole at the completion of the first two semesters and recommendations were made regarding the student's continued participation in the program. Date of scheduled meeting:
___ Student has completed and filed their Plan of Study with the Department before the completion of 20 graduate credits at Minnesota State University, Mankato. Primary Advisor and Committee Members have agreed and signed off to serve. Change of Advisor form has been filed if primary Advisor is other than the Graduate Coordinator.
___ Student prepares for and takes qualifying exam.
___ Candidate submits a Department Thesis Proposal for review to their Advisor and Committee Members.
___ Candidate schedules a meeting with Advisor and Committee Members for final approval of Thesis Proposal. (At least one full semester before planned graduation.)
___ Candidate files the Application for Graduation in accordance with the Graduate Studies submission schedule. (Fall, Spring & Summer, 1 week into the semester)
___ Candidate schedules an Oral Defense meeting with Advisor and Committee Members at least seven (7) weeks before the end of the fall and spring semester and 5 weeks before the end of the summer session. The deadline for Alternate Plan/Thesis submissions to the College of Graduate Studies is 4 weeks before the end of the fall and spring semester; 2 weeks before end of summer session).
___ Advisor submits the Recommendation for Awarding the Degree 2 weeks before the end of the semester. (Fall, Spring & Summer)
Last revised April 2006 Minnesota State University, Mankato is an affirmative action/equal opportunity university. This document is available in alternative format by calling (507) 389-2213 (v), or 1-800-627-3529 (MRS/TTY).
Minnesota State University, Mankato Department of Speech Communication
Name: Tech ID: Mailing Address: Email Address: Phone #:
Program Coursework
|
Dept
& Course No |
Title
|
Number
Of Credits |
Tr.*
(√) |
|
|
Total
Credits |
*Tr. = Transfer Courses
1. 3.
Advisor/Chair of Committee Date Third Committee Member (required for MA and MFA) Date
2.
Second Committee Member Date Graduate Coordinator of Department Date
Thesis Proposal
Department of Speech Communication
1. Student Information
date, student's name, tech ID, e-mail, U.S. mail address, Degree.
Chair of the Examining Committee Date
Examining Committee Member Date
Examining Committee Member Date