Department of Communication Studies
230 Armstrong Hall
507-389-2213
Communication Studies 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 Communication Studies.
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 Communication Studies 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.
(Thesis Plan 33 credits)
(Alternate Paper Plan 35 credits)
*required only of Graduate Teaching Assistants
Choose 5/600 level electives in consultation with an advisor
Choose any 5/600 level related elective 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 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.
(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.
* required only of Graduate Teaching Assistants
Choose 5/600 level electives in consultation with an advisor.
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.
(Project Option - 36 credits)
*required only of Teaching Assistants
Choose 5/600 level electives in consultation with an advisor
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 Communication Studies 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.
The graduate certificate is 12 credits, all of which are available online and all of which will also transfer into the MA program in Communication Studies 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 604: Communication Training and Development
SPEE 633: Communication for Professionals
Required Electives (Choose 6 credits)
SPEE 512: Organizational Communication
SPEE 515: Topics in Rhetoric and Culture
SPEE 545: Conflict Management
SPEE 601: Communication Research Methods
Designed for individuals interested in teaching at technical and community colleges. Minnesota and many other states have a standard requirement that community and technical college faculty must hold a master’s degree and a minimum of 16 credit hours in-discipline. This graduate certificate provides a means for anyone who holds a master’s in another discipline but also wishes to teach in speech communication/communication studies.
Major Common Core (6 credits)
SPEE 602: Communication Pedagogy (3)
SPEE 633: Communication for Professionals (3)
Major Restricted Electives (10 credits)
SPEE 515: Topics in Rhetoric and Culture (3)
SPEE 545: Conflict Management (3)
SPEE 535: Forensics Pedagogy (3)
SPEE 550: NFL Pedagogy (1-3)
SPEE 551: NFL-Introduction to Debate (1-3)
SPEE 552: NFL-Advanced Debate (1-3)
SPEE 553: NFL-Basics in Forensics (1-3)
SPEE 554: NFL-Introduction to Interpretation (1-3)
SPEE 555: NFL-Advanced Interpretation (1-3)
SPEE 556: NFL-Introduction to Argumentation (1-3)
SPEE 557: NFL-Advanced Argumentation (1-3)
SPEE 620: Modern Rhetorical Criticism (3)
SPEE 621: Advanced Interpersonal Communication (3)
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 535 (3) Forensics Pedagogy
Course is designed to give students a theoretical understanding of competitive speech and debate.
SPEE 540 (1-3) Special Topics
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.
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 550 (3) (1-3) NFL- Pedagogy
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 551 (1-3) NFL-Introduction to Debate
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 552 (1-3) NFL-Advanced Debate
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 553 (1-3) NFL-Basics in Forensics
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 554 (1-3) NFL-Introduction to Interpretation
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 555 (1-3) NFL-Advanced Interpretation
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 556 (1-3) NFL-Introduction to Argumentation
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
SPEE 557 (1-3) NFL-Advanced Argumentation
Course reserved for graduate students taking online NFL modules.
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 research process as it applies to the field of communication. Research designs, methods, and data analysis procedures will be explored. Students will research, prepare, and write a research document.
SPEE 602 (3) Communication Pedagogy
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.
SPEE 603 (0) Strategies: Basic
Open only to teaching assistants of the basic course in Communication Studies. Covers course design, course evaluation, methodologies for skill development, and related topics.
SPEE 604 (3) Communication Training and Development
This course focuses on preparing professional trainers and developers in communication teaching, training and development.
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.
