Communication Studies
Instructional Communication
Graduate Program
for Educators
The Department of Communication Studies at West Virginia University is pleased to offer a graduate program in Communication in Instruction leading to a Master of Arts degree. The program is designed for the professional educator who is employed full-time in the educational setting and pursuing course work at the graduate level. It is a non-thesis program for the professional educator who wishes to apply the principles of communication to teaching academic disciplines other than communication, to educational administration, and/or to other functions within the educational environment. The program is not intended to certify speech teachers; rather, it is intended to provide a M.A. for professional communicator employed in the educational environment. Course work for the degree may be completed entirely through Communication Studies Extended Learning Graduate Instructional Program. Classes are being offered in Beckley, Clarksburg, Charleston, Parkersburg, and Wheeling.
REQUIREMENTS:
A minimum of 36 hours of course work with at least 30 hours in the Department of Communication Studies.
Successful completion of written and oral comprehensive exams. The oral exam may be waived with the approval of the student’s examination committee, Chairperson, and the Coordinator of Graduate Extended Learning Programs.
Students must achieve a grade of “A” or “B” in each graduate class.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Is this program designed to be a substitute
for a master’s degree program in Education?
A. No. It is designed as a program for professional
communicators involved in instruction. There is little duplication of content in the courses in this program with courses offered by programs in Education. It is very appropriate to take this master’s program either before or after completing a master’s degree in Education.
Q. How long do I have to finish the program?
A. Present policy allows up to eight years between the first course you take that you wish to apply to the program and your date of graduation. Our majors usually complete the program in two or three years.
Q. Can course work which is out-of-date be revalidated?
A. No. There are no exceptions to this policy.
Q. May I count hours taken from other graduate programs?
A. Yes. You may count up to six hours from an accredited graduate school where you have received a grade of “A” or “B.”
Q. Can I count Professional Development courses (900 level) or non-graded classes (P/F, S/U, CR.) for elective credit?
A. NO!
Q. Can I take all 36 hours in the COMM Program?
A. YES!
FACULTY:
See The Graduate Faculty section of the On-Campus M. A. Graduate Program.
APPLICATION:
An application for graduate school can be accessed on-line at www.arc.wvu.edu or by contacting Kim Beerbower at KBeerbow@wvu.edu.
COURSES
Communication Studies 600*
Communication in the Classroom
Communication Studies 602
Interpersonal Communication
Communication Studies 604
Theory and Research in Persuasion
Communication Studies 608*
Nonverbal Communication in the Classroom
Communication Studies 609
Communication Apprehension & Avoidance
Communication Studies 612
Small Group Communication
Communication Studies 615
Media in Communication and Education
Communication Studies 616*
Communication in the Educational Organization
Communication Studies 617
Communication Problems of Children
Communication Studies 619*
Instructional Communication
Communication Studies 622
Gender and Communication in the Classroom
Communication Studies 626
Intercultural Communication
Communication Studies 695**
Independent Study (by permission only)
Communication Studies 792**
Directed Studies: Issues in Contemporary Communication
Communication Studies 794
Communibiology
*Required courses
**Permission required. This course is usually taken after a student has completed 30 hours (10 classes on site) in Communication.
Coordinator: Dr. Virginia P. Richmond
West Virginia University
Department of Communication Studies
108 Armstrong Hall PO Box 6293
Morgantown, WV 26506-6293
Phone: 304-293-3905 Fax: 304-293-8667