School of Communication and Mass Media - Northwest Missouri State University (2024)

Director: Matt Walker

Assistant Director: Bayo Joachim

Faculty: Robert Bergland, Adam Bochart, Steven Chappell, Joy Daggs, John Katsion, Alex Kirt, Julie Love Smith, Kyle Miller, Jason Offutt, Stacey Passalacqua, Brian Swafford, Adam Whiteside, Kylie Wilson

Staff: Marla McCrary, Madalyn Mosbauer, Will Murphy

Statement of Mission

Northwest Missouri State University is a learning-centered community of scholars offering undergraduate and selected graduate programs. The University is committed to preparing broadly educated and engaged citizens for a world of constant change, applying information technology to improve learning processes, and promoting continuous improvement to enhance performance in all its activities. Northwest seeks to expand access to learning and promote research designed to address the needs of our students and stakeholders.

Communication / 29

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication and the Bachelor of Science in Communication each have options for concentrated study in one of four areas: Public Relations (comprehensive, no minor required), Organizational Communication (comprehensive, no minor required), Interpersonal Communication (minor required), and Rhetoric (minor required).

The Public Relations options combine communication courses with appropriate coursework in management, marketing, and mass media to provide a broad preparation for various careers within the public relations field. No minor is required for these programs.

The Organizational Communication options augment the studies of communication theory and performance with courses in management, psychology, and writing designed to prepare students for the myriad of careers within organizational communication.

The Interpersonal Communication options seek to understand how communication creates and shapes relationships to prepare for careers in human resources, training and development, social work, counseling, and clinical psychology or continuation in graduate study.

The Rhetoric options develop effective critical thinking skills and understanding of ethical issues to understand persuasive communication in order to prepare for careers in law, social service, or political fields, or continuation in graduate study.

The comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech/Theatre (55 hours) prepares students to teach and direct speech and theatre in secondary schools. This major does not require a minor and, when completed under the B.S.Ed., Secondary Education Program, meets the State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.

The non-comprehensive Bachelor of Science in Education in Speech/Theatre (38 hours) requires a minor. This major, when completed under the B.S.Ed., Secondary Education Program, also meets the State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.

The minor in Communication is comprised of 24 hours. Minors are required to take the 15-hour communication core and an additional 9 hours in an area of emphasis (Public Relations, Organizational Communication, Interpersonal Communication or Rhetoric).

A minor in Speech/Theatre Education (32 hours) is available to students majoring in another area. This minor, when completed under the B.S.Ed., Secondary Education Program, meets the State of Missouri teacher certification standards for grades 9-12.

The school also offers an endorsem*nt in Speech/Theatre for students seeking Missouri Middle School (grades 5-9) certification. The middle school program is advised through the College of Education and Human Services.

Test-Out Policy

Test-out is available for COM 29102, Fundamentals of Oral Communication. For further information, contact the director of the COM 29102 program.

Please refer to the “Departmental Test-Out” information (p. 62) contained in the “Academic Policies” section of the catalog for policy information. Students should contact the school for additional details.

Speech/Theatre Education Directing Requirement

All candidates for the B.S.Ed. degree with a secondary speech/theatre major must demonstrate their ability to direct a complete theatrical presentation that is approved by department faculty. Opportunities for meeting this requirement will be discussed with the academic advisor and include lab series, second stage, and external venue shows. THEA 43373 - Directingmust be successfully completed with a grade of C or better prior to attempting this requirement.

Advanced Standing Requirement

Students majoring in the communication programs must complete University Seminar (1 hour), English Composition (6 hours), Oral Communication (3 hours), and Mathematics (3-4 hours) by the end of the sophom*ore year. A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all courses listed above. No major in the school may be enrolled in and pursue advanced school courses (numbered 300 or above) until these courses and the specific advanced standing requirements for the student’s major are met.

Students seeking exemption, or who are not granted advanced standing in communication may appeal by submitting a written petition to the Director of the School of Communication and Mass Media.

Communication Majors

Students seeking a major or a minor in communication are expected to demonstrate a capacity to integrate principles of spoken and written communication and sufficient commitment to expand their knowledge in order to successfully pursue advanced study.

To achieve communication advanced standing, a student must have completed at least six hours of 200-level courses or equivalent in communication.

Mass Media / 20

The School of Communication and Mass Media offers undergraduate programs in mass media, advertising, and digital media to prepare students for the converged media industry. The mass media major also allows students to learn a core set of production and critical thinking skills within a focused area of interest such as multimedia journalism, sports media, broadcast and production, and applied advertising. Students majoring in the mass media degrees develop not only communication skills (verbal, written, listening, and interpersonal) but also critical thinking skills and equipment and computer operation skills. Careful attention is given to achieving a balance between cognitive development and specific skills acquisition; therefore, students also develop a broad understanding and appreciation of the historical, theoretical and operational nature of the mass media.

In addition, students are encouraged at the very beginning of their University experience to become involved with a variety of hands-on activities with award-winning media outlets KZLXLP, KXCV/KRNW-FM, KNWT-TV, Northwest Missourian newspaper, nwmissourinews.com (converged online news site), Tower yearbook and student media organizations. These experiences lead to a realistic view of professional working conditions. Students are further guided in the acquisition of appropriate time management, adaptation, and teamwork skills.

Advanced Standing Requirement

Mass Media majors may not enroll in upper division mass media courses (numbered 300 or above) prior to successful completion of the School of Communication and Mass Media’s advanced standing requirements:

1. Students must complete MMED 20110,MMED 20120andMMED 20130with a minimum grade of C.
2. The student shall have an assigned major advisor from the Mass Media faculty.

Assessment of Core Proficiencies Requirement

Students must receive a score of at least 1 in two of the three test areas or they must retake the Assessment of Core Proficiencies test, an assessment given when the student reaches junior status. Students who do not reach this requirement will be notified by either their advisor or the department chairperson. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange for retaking the test.

Degree Programs

The Bachelor of Arts in Media Studies (31 hours) is designed to provide students with theoretical and applied knowledge and a liberal arts education through the requirements for the B.A. degree.

The Bachelor of Science in Mass Media (55 hours), in Strategic Advertising (61 hours), and in Digital Media (61 hours) are available to those seeking the B.S. degree. In addition to providing a comprehensive theoretical foundation within the discipline, these degrees provide extensive practical knowledge and experience.

A minor in Broadcasting (24 hours), a minor in Journalism (24 hours), a minor in Advertising (24 hours) and an interdisciplinary minor in Digital Media (24 hours) are available to students with majors in other academic disciplines.

Programs

• Agricultural Media, 63 hours: B.S.-No Minor Required
• Communication Major, 33-54 hours: B.A
• Communication Major, 36-60 hours: B.S.
• Digital Media Comprehensive Major, 61 hours: B.S.-No Minor Required
• Mass Media Major, 55 hours: B.S.-No Minor Required
• Media Studies Major, 31 hours: B.A.-Minor Required
• Public Relations Major, 54 hours: B.A.-No Minor Required
• Public Relations Major, 60 hours: B.S.-No Minor Required
• Social Media Management Major, 57 hours: B.S.-No Minor Required
• Speech/Theatre Education Comprehensive Major, 55 hours: B.S.Ed.-No Minor Required (Certifies Grades 9-12)
• Speech/Theatre Education Major, 38 hours: B.S.Ed.-Minor Required (Certifies Grades 9-12)
• Strategic Advertising Major, 61 hours: B.S.-No Minor Required

• Advertising Minor, 24 hours
• Audio Production Minor, 24 hours
• Broadcasting Minor, 24 hours
• Communication Minor, 24 hours
• Digital Media Minor, 24 hours
• Health Communication Minor, 24 hours
• Journalism Minor, 24 hours
• Speech/Theatre Education Minor, 32 hours, (Certifies Grades 9-12)

• Communication Core Requirements, 15 hours
• Speech/Theatre Education Core Requirements

• Speech/Theatre for the Middle School Area of Endorsem*nt, 24 hours