Communication

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GRADUATE DEGREES OFFERED:

Master of Art

Department of Communication
Erickson Hall, room 311
Phone: 812-237-3244 or 812-237-3245
Fax: 812-237-3217
E-mail: dworley@indstate.edu
Web site: http://www.indstate.edu/comm

Interim Department Chairperson: Dr. Darlene Hantzis

Graduate Program Contact Person: Dr. Jay Clarkson
Phone: 812-237-3253

GRADUATE FACULTY 

Professors

Hantzis, Darlene, Ph.D., Louisiana State University
Interim Chairperson and Professor of Communication and Women’s Studies
Specializations: Rhetoric, Gender, Performance Studies

Hightower, Paul D., Ph.D., University of Iowa
Professor of Journalism
Specializations: Visual Communication, Photojournalism

Vincent, Richard, Ph.D., University of Massachusetts-Amherst
Professor of Communication
Specializations: International Communication

Associate Professors

Kray, Susan, Ph.D., University of Illinois
Associate Professor of Communication and Women’s Studies
Specializations: Media Theory and Criticism

Assistant Professors

Anderson, LaKesha, Ph.D., George Mason University
Assistant Professor of Communication
Specialization: Public Relations 

Clarkson, Jay, Ph.D., University of Iowa
Assistant Professor of Communication
Specializations: Media Criticism, Gender, Popular Culture

INTRODUCTION 

The masters program focuses on providing the skill and experience to ask significant questions about communication and the ability to employ a variety of methods to answer these questions. Students will develop an integrated perspective on the relations among various areas of study of communication, and analytical, critical, and creative tools for competent specialization which will lead to either confident entrance into the profession or further graduate study. 

MAIN OBJECTIVES 

Graduate study involves higher expectations and a sharper focus than is expected at the undergraduate level, and provides students with skills that prepare them for scholarly pursuits and professional employment.

The graduate program expects students to demonstrate mastery of required course work. All students will demonstrate the ability to work independently and in teams, to design and complete a research project, to engage in interdisciplinary research, and to orally present their work. In addition, all students are expected to be aware of societal and ethical issues that surround the discipline and act accordingly. 

Measures for assessing the program’s success will provide data that indicate the extent to which the curriculum is meeting the following objectives: 

1. To develop an understanding of the central issues and current research important to the field of communication.
2. To be familiar with the breadth and depth of conceptual and applied knowledge in the field of communication.
3. To be able to communicate acquired knowledge.
4. To be aware of ethical issues pertaining to the study and practice of communication.
5. To develop the ability to design and present an independent and meaningful research project.
6. To understand the relationship of communication to other disciplines. 

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

1. An undergraduate index of not less than 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Applicants not meeting these minimal may be recommended for conditional admission by the graduate faculty of the Department of Communication. Interviews will be required of assistantship applicants. International students must meet the TOEFL requirements of the College of Graduate and Professional Studies. The department may also require additional evidence of spoken English proficiency.
2. Following a review of the applicant’s undergraduate transcript, a student considered by the graduate faculty to lack adequate preparation in basic undergraduate course content may be required to enroll in undergraduate courses (concurrently with graduate courses) to remove deficiencies. The student will not, typically, receive graduate credit when enrolling in undergraduate courses to meet deficiencies.
3. Two letters of recommendation are required from college or university faculty who are acquainted with the student’s preparation in the area of study to be pursued in the graduate program.
4. Applicants should provide a brief statement of purpose.
5. As a general rule, the Department of Communication will accept in transfer no more than six credits of appropriate course work earned at other colleges and universities accredited for master’s or higher level study by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools or a comparable association. Applicants may petition the department graduate faculty for the transfer of additional credits.
6. As a general rule all students should enroll in COMM 600 their first semester.

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Graduate education is characterized by ongoing evaluation with the ultimate positive evaluation provided by the successful achievement of a satisfying career. In the field of communication, course work performance, though important, plays a secondary role to the demonstration of the ability to synthesize, solve problems, and conduct original research or engage in creative production of communication products.

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