Tuesday, March 16, 2010
USI master's degree in communication approved
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Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 After much research, the Master of Arts in Communication Planning Task Force discovered that few publicly funded universities in the country have a graduate program that incorporates communication studies, public relations and advertising, journalism, and radio and television into a cohesive graduate program. USI's Master of Arts in Communication program will incorporate both communication studies and mass communication courses in all areas. Unlike other graduate programs that emphasize theory over application or vice versa, the program will instill rigorous theoretical and methodological training as well as practical applications of those skills to solve real world problems. Coursework will focus on both hands-on experience and research in subjects including conflict and negotiation, regional economic development, corporate responsibility, and organizational functioning. The program is comprised of 36 semester hours: nine required hours in theory/methodology, 21 elective hours in content courses, and six hours of directed research with thesis and capstone project options. A variety of delivery methods for courses will be offered, including night and weekend classes, distance education, and hybrid offerings. Dr. Wes Durham, assistant professor of communication studies, will serve as director of the program. He said, "We want to be flexible and serve as many of our potential clientele as we possibly can. This will be a popular program that will be key to organizational advancement." The master's degree has been in the Department of Communications' long-range plan since 1991. In the Report on the 2007 President's Task Force on Workforce and Economic Development, regional employers indicated that a master's degree in communication was the second highest need in terms of graduate education. Dr. Wayne Rinks, chair of the department, said, "I am exceedingly happy that we now have approval for this program because I know it's going to serve a lot of people here in this area - both traditional students and persons in the workforce who need an advanced degree and better communication skills. I would like to commend Wes Durham on his leadership with the master's committee in getting this proposal completed and getting it done in an expeditious matter." The addition of a master's degree in communication brings USI's graduate offerings to 11 programs. The program was approved by the USI Board of Trustees in May 2009. For more information about the Master of Arts in Communication degree, contact Durham at wdurham@usi.edu or 812/464-1739. |
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