Communication

This area is in the School of Design and Communication within the COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION .

Communication

Kelly Wilz, Area Coordinator
Room 225, Communication Arts Center
Phone: 715-346-3409
Email: communication@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/comm

Faculty: T Bodor, C Elza, E Fakazis, S Hill, A Ingersoll, J O’Connell, C Shofner, C Spaulding, R Sprague, K Wilz.

Definition: Communication studies how humans use symbols to create, send, receive, and respond to messages in a variety of contexts using oral, written, visual, or mediated channels.

Abbreviations:
IPO = Interpersonal and Organizational Communication
MS - Media Studies
PR - Public Relations

Our comprehensive communication major and minor prepare students for a wide range of careers in broadcasting, new media, journalism, public relations, management, training, sales, and human services.

You must complete all coursework required for the major or minor and are also expected to acquire strong oral and written communication competencies. The division encourages everyone to participate in one or more of the student organizations and the internship program. These enhance job opportunities upon graduation by providing practical communication experience.

Academic Standards for Communication

Retention and Graduation

In order to graduate with a major or minor in communication, you must achieve a 2.50 GPA in all communication classes taken, regardless of a declaration of academic forgiveness.
Once you complete 12 credits toward your communication major (excluding 101), you must maintain a 2.50 GPA for your major coursework. If your communication major GPA falls below a 2.50, you will be placed on probation for one semester. If you fail to regain a 2.50 GPA after the next semester in which you complete a communication course, you will be dismissed from the major.
Courses with a grade below C- DO NOT fulfill the major or minor requirements, but are included in the calculation of the major or minor GPA. See the Grade-related Policies section of this catalog for the policy on repeating courses.
Transfer credit policy: Certain courses taken at other universities may substitute for courses in the major. Credits from these courses will be counted when calculating your GPA in communication.

Test-out, Credit-by-Exam, and Retroactive Credit Policy

If you think you qualify for the above, contact the division head who will determine whether the exam will be for test-out, credit-by-exam, and/or retroactive credit. A designated instructor will administer a written exam that evaluates your level of ability with the content of the course. A grade of B or better will qualify for test-out.

Courses that involve applied skills and/or oral performance may also require a second performance exam if you score well enough on the written exam.

Professional Communication

Steven Hill, Area Coordinator
Office: CAC 323
Email: Steve.Hill@uwsp.edu

Faculty: T Bodor, S Hill, R Sprague

Definition: The Professional Communication major facilitates the development of skill sets to prepare graduates for success in contemporary workplaces.

Academic Standards for Professional Communication

Retention and Graduation

In order to graduate with a major or minor in professional communication, you must achieve a 2.50 GPA in all communication classes taken, regardless of a declaration of academic forgiveness.
Once you complete 12 credits toward your professional communication major (excluding 101), you must maintain a 2.50 GPA for your major coursework. If your professional communication major GPA falls below a 2.50, you will be placed on probation for one semester. If you fail to regain a 2.50 GPA after the next semester in which you complete a professional communication course, you will be dismissed from the major.
Courses with a grade below C- DO NOT fulfill the major or minor requirements, but are included in the calculation of the major or minor GPA. See the Grade-related Policies section of this catalog for the policy on repeating courses.
Transfer credit policy: Certain courses taken at other universities may substitute for courses in the major. Credits from these courses will be counted when calculating your GPA in professional communication.

Test-out, Credit-by-Exam, and Retroactive Credit Policy

If you think you qualify for the above, contact the Professional Communication Area coordinator who will determine whether the exam will be for test-out, credit-by-exam, and/or retroactive credit. A designated instructor will administer a written exam that evaluates your level of ability with the content of the course. A grade of B or better will qualify for test-out.

Courses that involve applied skills and/or oral performance may also require a second performance exam if you score well enough on the written exam.

Graduate Programs

Elizabeth Fakazis, Graduate Coordinator
Room 327, Communication Arts Center
Phone: 715-346-2238
Email: Liz.Fakazis@uwsp.edu
Web: www.uwsp.edu/comm/Pages/grad/default.aspx

Communication: Project Option, M.A.

27 credits of coursework, plus 3 credits for project, and one colloquium credit. This option allows you to conduct a study (approx 50 pages) of a work situation, write about and direct a production, or examine a topic of interest from a more applied perspective. After you have completed at least 15 credits, the advisory committee approves the selection of your project topic, rationale, and method to be used for conducting the project. When the advisory committee approves your project proposal, you must enroll in one or more hours of project credit to maintain your status as an MA candidate. We count no more than 3 project credits toward your 31 credit degree requirement.

PLEASE NOTE: Entry of new students into this M.A. program has been suspended as of Spring 2021.

Process for Completing the Thesis/Project

With the chair of your committee, write a prospectus (a proposal of 20-30 pages) that outlines the thesis/ project topic and the methods you will use to conduct the study. After the remaining committee members have read your prospectus, you must orally defend it to your committee.
After approval of the prospectus, conduct your study and write the thesis or project. Once you and your chair feel the written thesis/project is ready, have the remaining committee members read it and set a date to orally defend the thesis/project to the committee. You must defend your thesis/project at least 30 days prior to the commencement ceremony to be eligible to participate in the ceremony.
Make any final revisions that are required by the committee. At least 10 days prior to the commencement ceremony, arrange with the library to have at least four hardbound copies made. The library then certifies that your thesis/project is complete. The graduate coordinator and registrar then conduct a final audit of your work before approving you for graduation.

Communication: Thesis Option, M.A.

24 credits of coursework, plus 6 credits for thesis, and one colloquium credit. This option allows you to conduct a research project (approx 100-150 pages) that can help you prepare for entering a PhD program or complete a more detailed and/or theoretical examination of a topic of interest. After you have completed at least 15 credits, the advisory committee approves the selection of a thesis topic, rationale, and method to be used for the study. When the advisory committee approves your thesis project proposal, you must enroll in one or more hours of thesis or project credit to maintain your status as an MA candidate. We count no more than 6 thesis credits toward your 31 credit degree requirement.

PLEASE NOTE: Entry of new students into this M.A. program has been suspended as of Spring 2021.

Process for Completing the Thesis/Project

With the chair of your committee, write a prospectus (a proposal of 20-30 pages) that outlines the thesis/ project topic and the methods you will use to conduct the study. After the remaining committee members have read your prospectus, you must orally defend it to your committee.
After approval of the prospectus, conduct your study and write the thesis or project. Once you and your chair feel the written thesis/project is ready, have the remaining committee members read it and set a date to orally defend the thesis/project to the committee. You must defend your thesis/project at least 30 days prior to the commencement ceremony to be eligible to participate in the ceremony.
Make any final revisions that are required by the committee. At least 10 days prior to the commencement ceremony, arrange with the library to have at least four hardbound copies made. The library then certifies that your thesis/project is complete. The graduate coordinator and registrar then conduct a final audit of your work before approving you for graduation.

Programs

Bachelor Degrees

Communication: Professional Communication Emphasis, BS

Minors

Professional Communication Minor

Graduate Programs

Courses

Communication