Communication Studies

215 Robert A. DuFresne Performing Arts Center
507.457.5230
Communication Studies website
Adam Gaffey, Chairperson

Faculty

Emilie Falc, Professor; BA, University of Illinois; MA, PhD, Ohio University; 2001 -
Adam Gaffey, Associate Professor; BA, University of Minnesota-Duluth; MA, Syracuse University; PhD, Texas A&M University; 2016 -
Lisa Glueck, Associate Professor; BA, MA, Washington State University; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1993 -
Amy Hermodson, Professor; BA, Concordia College-Moorhead; MA, Michigan State University; PhD, University of Denver; 2000 -
Kelly Herold, Associate Professor; BCS, Dickinson State University; MA, University of Northern Colorado; PhD, University of Southern Mississippi; 1996 -
Edward Reilly, Administrator; BA, Northern Illinois University; MA, University of Maine; PhD, Louisiana State University; 1997 -
Alexandru Stana, Assistant Professor; BA, Titu Maiorescu University (Romania); MA, University of Hartford; PhD, Bowling Green State University; 2019 -
Tammy Swenson Lepper, Professor; BA, Concordia College-Moorhead; MA, PhD, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; 2004 -
Jin Xu, Associate Professor; BA, Changsha Tiedao University (China); MA, Southwest China Normal University (China); MS, PhD, Bowling Green State University; 2004 -

Department Mission

The department’s mission is to prepare students to meet complex communication challenges across cultural, organizational, relational, and rhetorical contexts in the 21st century. In support of this mission, the faculty introduces students to relevant theories and concepts and provides skill-building, collaboration, and scholarship experiences that promote conscious communication competence in students’ personal and professional development. To this end, the Communication Studies faculty seeks to model positive professional communication practices, a respect for diversity, and a commitment to service and lifelong learning.

Curriculum

The Department of Communication Studies (CMST) provides academic experiences conducive to intellectual, professional, and personal growth. Excellence in communication is widely recognized as being key to personal and professional success. The department offers a major and minor in communication studies, with options in organizational communication, and leadership and advocacy, as well as a minor in intercultural communication. CMST also offers a teaching major in collaboration with the English Department (CALT major); those requirements are listed in the English Department’s section of the catalog.

Majors and Minors

Graduates in Communication Studies are well prepared for employment in a dynamic economy. Recent graduates enjoy careers in a variety of fields including training and development, consulting, personnel, human resource development, sales, and teaching. A significant number of graduates also attend graduate school in areas of communication, counseling, student personnel, and law.

The department offers minors designed especially for those students who recognize the importance of effective communication skills in their chosen careers. These minors should be of special interest to students majoring in business, health sciences, history, mass communication, nursing, political science, psychology, social work, and sociology; however, students from all majors will find the course sequence for the minor beneficial. Students with a minor in communication studies are required to meet with their academic advisor every semester. Students majoring in communication studies may not minor in communication studies.

Communication studies majors and minors are encouraged to join the Communication Club, a co-curricular group of students and faculty who meet regularly for professional development and social activities.

Scholarships and Honors Recognition

Gary Evans Scholarship: Scholarships for juniors and first-semester seniors available through a fund established in Gary Evans’ name. Applications are accepted early spring semester.
Frederick & Dina Derocher Communication Studies Mentorship Scholarship in honor of Professor Rita Rahoi-Gilchrest. In order to apply, students must:
- Be enrolled full-time (minimum of 12 credits)
- Be a declared Communication Studies major
- Be a current Junior or Senior
- Must have a minimum 3.0 GPA
The department sponsors a chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, the undergraduate honorary society of the National Communication Association.

Pass/No Credit (P/NC) Courses

Except for CMST 399 - Internship , CMST majors and minors must take all courses in their major, minor, options, concentrations, and licensures on a grade-only basis. The P/NC option is available to non-majors in all courses except for CMST 191 - Introduction to Public Speaking , CMST 192 - Introduction to Effective Communication and CMST 499 - Independent Studies in CMST . Courses offered on a pass/no credit only or grade only basis are so designated in the course descriptions.

Graduation Requirements

Students declaring a major or minor in CMST should anticipate a minimum of four academic semesters (not including summer sessions) to complete CMST courses in sequence. Students majoring in communication studies must earn a minimum GPA of 2.50 in their major; no grade below a “C” is accepted. These standards apply to both CMST courses and courses taken through other departments to fulfill CMST major requirements.

General Education Intensive Requirements

Students may use intensive courses to satisfy both General Education Program (GEP) and major requirements. Intensive courses will usually be in the student’s major or minor program. The following are offered as GEP intensive courses in the Communication Studies Department:

Intensives

Oral (◎)

Math/Critical Analysis (◆)

◆ CMST 380 - Communication Research Methods (3 credits)

Writing (△)

Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives.

Programs

Bachelor of Arts

Minor