Speech Communication - Degrees Offered

Speech Communication Major Requirements

B. A. Requirements

Required Courses

  1. COM 213 or COM 217 (3 credits)

  2. COM 216 (3 credits)

  3. COM 212 (3 credits)
  4. Speech Communication Electives (a minimum of 18 credits must be 300-400 level courses) (24 credits)

Speech Communication Minor

Required Courses

Students majoring in another field may minor in Speech Communication by completing the following:

Credits
1. COM 216—SURVEY OF COMMUNICATION STUDIES 3
2. Select 2 or 3 courses from the following list: 6-9
COM 113 FUNDAMENTALS OF SPEECH COMMUNICATION
COM 213 PUBLIC SPEAKING
COM 217 ARGUMENTATION AND DEBATE
COM 319 LEGAL ARGUMENTATION
COM 329 BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL SPEAKING
COM 390 ADVANCED PUBLIC SPEAKING
COM 480 COMMUNICATION TRAINING SYSTEMS
COM 490 SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN COMMUNICATION
3. Select 2 or 3 courses from the following list: 6-9
COM 212 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION RESEARCH
COM 311 LISTENING: THEORY AND APPLICATION
COM 312 NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
COM 313 VOICE
COM 315 SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION
COM 400 HUMAN COMMUNICATION THEORY
COM 404 PRINCIPLES OF PERSUASION
COM 407 COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE SEXES
COM 410 NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
COM 411 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
COM 412 INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION
COM 428 ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION
COM 434 COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION
COM 490 SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN COMMUNICATION
Total: 18

NOTE: A minimum of nine credits must be taken at the 300-400 level.

Speech Communication Undergraduate Courses

COM 113-Fundamentals of Speech Communication

Principles and theories of speech communication. Participation in public speaking and interpersonal communication activities.

COM 216 Survey of Communication Studies

Survey of theories of human communication; study of the nature of speech communication process.

COM 212-Introduction to Communication Research

Basic approaches to research in speech communication. Introduction to historical, analytical, critical and empirical methods of investigation.

COM 213-Public Speaking

Theory and practice in the composition and delivery of public speeches. Advanced techniques of message development, organization and style.

COM 217-Argumentation and Debate

Theory and practice of oral argumentative discourse; intensive study of argumentative principles and debate fundamentals; participation in class discussions, speeches and debates.

COM 311 Listening: Theory and Application

Focus on listening theory as it relates to a variety of interpersonal settings.

COM 312-Nonverbal Communication

Principles, implications and effects of nonverbal communication, the ways in which unspoken elements modify communication

COM 313- Voice

COM 315-Small Group Communication

Speech communication in face-to-face and co-acting groups. Analysis of group cohesiveness, leadership, role structure, information processing and decision-making.

COM 319-Legal Argumentation

Practice of argumentation theory in law, utilizing legal research, writing and speaking; designed especially for the pre-law student.

COM 329-Business and Professional Speaking

Practice of the principles of public speaking, conference methods and group discussions, which are applicable to the business and professional community.

COM 390-Advanced Public Speaking

Focuses on speech composition. Alternative techniques and stylistic devices are explored. Students then will deliver speeches that reflect this training. Prerequisite: SPCM 213

COM 400-Human Communication Theory

Review and comparative analysis of contemporary behavioral theories of human communication.

COM 404-Principles of Persuasion

Contemporary theory and research in persuasive communication; role of speech communication in changing beliefs, attitudes, values, intentions and behavior.

COM 411-Interpersonal Communication

Investigation into the role of interpersonal communication in human relations.

COM 412-Intercultural Communication

Factors important to meaningful communication across cultures with emphasis on intercultural differences in North America. (General Capstone and Diversity course)

COM 428-Organizational Communication

Analysis of communication functions and networks in organizational settings. Organizational structures and dynamics and their effect upon the communication process.

COM 434-Communication and Conflict Resolution

Theory and research in conflict and negotiation; emphasis on conflict management in interpersonal settings.

COM 480-Communication Training Systems

Development and evaluation of innovative speech communication training programs and classroom methods.

COM 490-Special Problems in Speech Communication

Designed for student who wishes to study in depth a particular area of general speech, rhetoric and public address or communication theory. Maximum of 6 credits.

COM 495-Independent Study

Open to juniors and seniors specializing in speech communication. Maximum of 8 credits.

Speech Communication Masters of Arts Degree

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the Master's Program of Speech Communication, the student is required to:

  1. Have an undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or higher
  2. Have a composite score of at least 900 on verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination
  3. Have at least 18 undergraduate credits in Speech Communication with grades of B or better (graduate facility may approve nine upper-division credits in a related field; all 18 credits must be for grades of B or better).

Applicants may be enrolled as a "graduate special" without having to take the Graduate Record Examination. As many as nine credits of graduate special courses may apply toward the Master of Arts degree while being a "graduate special."

Degree Requirements

The Master of Arts degree is 30-32 credits with 15 credits of 700-level course work required. Comprehensive examination is required but cannot be used to fulfill the 15 credits of required 700-level course work.

Thesis (Plan A) Programs: In a thesis program, at least 24 credits of acceptable graduate courses must be completed in addition to six thesis credits for a total of 30 credits. At least 21 of those credits must be earned in on-campus courses at the university. Any transfer credits from another institution must be requested via a Transfer Credit Evaluation Form and approved by the student's advisory committee, the Graduate Program Director, the Graduate School, and the university registrar. At least 18 credits (including these credits) in the program must be at the 700 levels.

Non-Thesis (Plan B) Programs: The program of study requires the satisfactory completion of at least 32 credits of acceptable graduate courses and a comprehensive examination. At least 23 credits must be earned in on-campus courses at the university. At least 15 of the 32 total credits must be earned at the 700 levels.

Time Limit: All requirements for the master's degree must be satisfied within the period of six years immediately proceeding the granting of the degree.

Advisory and Examining Committee: An approved application for graduate standing must include the name of the student's temporary advisor. Within the first semester of graduate standing, students select a permanent advisor. The student and the permanent advisor arrange the appointment of the advisory/examining committee, which along with the advisor and the graduate director of the program, supervise the student's course of study and the examinations.

Committee Composition: Advisory/examining committee consists of at least three members of the Graduate Faculty. Two faculty members, not necessarily from the student's department, represent the student's area of specialization and one faculty member is selected from the university-at-large. Students may request the appointment of a committee member from the faculty of another university or from a relevant discipline or profession, provided the prospective member has achieved a record of distinction. The Graduate Dean makes formal approval of the student's advisory/ examining committee. The advisory/ examining committee should be appointed and the program of study approved prior to the completion of 12 graduate credits.

Program of Study: Rules and Regulations

Students should fill out their program of study prior to the completion of 12 graduate credits. Advanced degrees are conferred by the university upon recommendation by graduate faculty and the Graduate Dean, following the completion of an approved program of study. The approved program of study describes the student's specific plan courses, research, and related activities. The graduate student's advisor, the graduate director of the program, and the advisory/examining committee determine the program of studies for each degree candidate. This includes the thesis/professional paper and the acceptable courses for completion of the degree. The Graduate Dean has final approval of the program of study.

Changes -- Subsequent changes may be made at any time via a Change in Program of Study Form, but only with the approval of the major professor, graduate director of the program, advisory/examining committee, and the Graduate Dean. It is the responsibility of the student and the advisory/examining committee to ensure that the graduate courses in the proposed program of study are consistent with the requirements of the Graduate School and the department.

Additional Changes -- The student's advisory/examining committee may require the student to take additional courses if, in its opinion, additional training is needed to achieve the expected level of proficiency. Students should consult individual departments to find out the specific requirements for completing the master's degree through either a thesis or non-thesis program.

Program of Study Course Limitations

A maximum of nine graduate semester credits completed prior to admission to graduate standing may be applied to a master's degree program of study. These credits are subject to the approval of the advisory committee and the Graduate Dean.

Credits completed during the semester in which the student is approved for the admission (as indicated by appropriate signatures by both the program and the Graduate Dean on the Admissions Data Sheet-the date of admissions being the date signed by the Graduate Dean) are exempt from the credit limitations.

S/U Grades: A maximum of three graduate credits towards a master's degree of satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading including transfer credits is acceptable.

Thesis Credits: A maximum of six thesis credits may be applied to a master's degree. Final credits for thesis are not officially recorded until the faculty for the graduate degree approves the candidate.

Extension Courses: Graduate courses earned through extension courses are not accepted for transfer credits.

Correspondence Study: No graduate credit is allowed for correspondence study completed at another university.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships

Graduate teaching assistantships are available to qualified applicants. Stipends begin at approximately $14,000 per year. The director of graduate programs in Speech Communication should receive applications for graduate assistantships by March 1. Graduate assistantships are offered through Speech Communication and are paid by state funds and grants. Students interested in these positions must contact the department for an application form. The Graduate School is responsible for approvals of graduate assistantships after a department has requested the initiation of a contact. All positions are contingent upon available funding. To obtain an assistantship, the student must:

  1. Make regular application for admission to the Graduate School and be sure to fill out Section IV of Assistantships-Scholarships
  2. Submit a photocopy of the completed form to the Speech Communication department
  3. List 3 persons, preferably professors, supervisors, or professionals, with whom the student has studied or worked and from whom the student has requested that letters of recommendation be sent to the graduate program

Graduate assistantships teach undergraduates classes in Speech Communication. Teaching assistants receive special teaching skills training through the Graduate School Instructional Development program. All graduate students holding an assistantship position are considered Nevada residents for tuition purposes. Non-resident tuition is waived through the duration of the assistantship.

Graduate Courses

COM 600-HUMAN COMMUNICATION THEORY

Review and comparative analysis of contemporary behavioral theories of human communication.

COM 604-PRINCICPLES OF PERSUASION

Theory and research in persuasive communication; role of speech communication in changing beliefs, attitudes, values, intentions, and behavior.

COM 611-INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Investigation into the role of interpersonal communication in human relations.

COM 612-INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

Factors important to meaningful communication across cultures with the emphasis on intercultural differences in North America.

COM 628-ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Analysis of communication functions and networks in organizational settings. Organizational structures and dynamics and their effect upon the communication process.

COM 634-COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION

Theory and research in conflict and negotiation; emphasis on conflict management in interpersonal settings.

COM 680-COMMUNICATION TRAINING SYSTEMS

Development and evaluation of innovative speech communication training programs and classroom methods.

COM 690-SPECIAL PROBLEMS IN SPEECH COMMUNICATIONS

Designed for students who wish to study in depth a particular area of general speech, rhetoric, and public address or communication theory.

COM 695-INDEPENDENT STUDY

COM 700-RESEARCH METHODS

Research methodologies in speech communication.

COM 710-SEMINAR: SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATION

Critical review of literature in problem-solving processes within the small group.

COM 720-SEMINAR: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

Theory and research in one-to-one communication.

COM 730-SEMINAR: ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION

Communication behavior and the evaluation-decision process in human organizations.

COM 740-SEMINAR: PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

History and critical analysis of rhetorical advocacy.

COM 750-SEMINAR: PERSUASION

Literature on strategies and techniques of persuasive discourse.

COM 760-SEMINAR: COMMUNICATION THEORY

Communication theory as it applies to the design, research and management of communication systems.

COM 793-INDEPENDENT STUDY

Maximum of 6 credits.

COM 795-COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION

Course is used by graduate programs to administer comprehensive examinations either as end of program comprehensive examinations or as qualifying examinations for doctoral candidates prior to being advanced to candidacy.

COM 797-THESIS

COM 798-INTERNSHIP: APPLIED COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS

Professional work experience in close association with selected executives-managers in education, business, and governmental agencies. Maximum of 6 credits.

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