2025-2026 Undergraduate Catalog
Communication Studies
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215 Robert A. DuFresne Performing Arts Center
507.457.5230
Communication Studies website
Tanya Ryan, Co-Chairperson
Adam Gaffey, Co-Chairperson
Faculty
Ahmet Aksoy, Assistant Professor; BS, East Carolina University; MA, Newcastle upon Tyne (UK); PhD, Texas Tech University; 2025 -
Adam Gaffey, Associate Professor; BA, University of Minnesota-Duluth; MA, Syracuse University; PhD, Texas A&M University; 2016 -
Lisa Glueck, Professor; BA, MA, Washington State University; PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison; 1993 -
Kay Hannahan, Assistant Professor; BA, Concordia University Montreal; MFA, Temple University; 2020 -
Davin Heckman, Professor; BA, University of San Diego; MA, University of Minnesota-Duluth; PhD, Bowling Green State University; 2013 -
Kelly Herold, Associate Professor; BCS, Dickinson State University; MA, University of Northern Colorado; PhD, University of Southern Mississippi; 1996 -
Stacey Kanihan, Graduate Program Director, Associate Professor; BA, Wellesley College; MBA, University of South Florida; PhD, Stanford University; 2022 -
Patrick Lichty, Assistant Professor; BS, University of Akron; MFA, Bowling Green State University; 2021 -
Katherine Lind, Assistant Professor; BA, University of Puget Sound; MA, Syracuse University; PhD, Indiana University; 2025 -
Jennifer T. Ma, Associate Professor; BA, BL, LanZhou University; MBA, Boston College; PhD, University of Connecticut; 2015 -
Talan Memmott, Associate Professor; MFA, Brown University; PhD, Malmö University; 2016 -
Tanya A. Ryan, Professor; BA, Winona State University; MA, Bethel University; PhD, University of Minnesota; 2008 -
Alexandru Stana, Associate 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 -
Department Mission
The department’s mission is to prepare students to meet complex communication challenges across several contexts: cultural, mediated, organizational, relational, rhetorical, and strategic. In addition, the department aims to prepare students to be socially responsible citizens of today’s world and to advance in their chosen careers. In support of this mission, the faculty introduce students to relevant theories and concepts and provide skill-building, collaboration, and scholarship experiences that promote communication competence in students’ personal and professional development. Faculty members also prepare students to evaluate the content, processes and impact of media messages in both individuals and society, and provide practical experience in producing media content. To this end, the Communication and Media faculty seek 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. The department offers specific majors and minors in two concentrations-Communication Studies and Mass 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. The Department of Communication and Media also offers a Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, the requirements of which are listed in the Graduate Catalog. Undergraduate students may start this degree by enrolling in the department’s 3+2 program , which enables them to earn both a mass communication undergraduate degree and a strategic communication graduate degree in five years.
Student Opportunities
Communication Studies (CMST) 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, and Lambda Pi Eta, a the official honors society for the National Communication Association (NCA). Mass Communication majors and minors are encouraged to participate in numerous affiliated programs and activities, including KQAL, a full-service 1,800-watt department radio station serving an average weekly listening audience of 15,000; production facilities including a fully-functioning darkroom, as well as television studios and multimedia labs. Students may also join campus chapters of the American Advertising Federation (AdFed), National Broadcasting Society (and its affiliate, Alpha Epsilon Rho), Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Society for Collegiate Journalists, and the National Press Photographers Association.
Scholarships and Honors Recognition
- Communication Studies Faculty Scholarship: Scholarship for students majoring in Communication Studies and funded through CMST faculty and the WSU Foundation. To apply, students must:
- Complete 60 cumulative credits and 12 CMST credits by the time scholarship is awarded;
- Achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 and CMST GPA of 3.25;
- Complete two years of community service.
- Preference is given to students who are one of the following: First-generation college students; living with demonstrated financial need; a member of Comm Club; and a member of Lambda Pi Eta.
- 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 MCOM or CMST should anticipate a minimum of four academic semesters (not including summer sessions) to complete courses in sequence.
- Students majoring in in CMST and MCOM must earn a minimum GPA of 2.50 in their major; no grade below a “C” is accepted. These standards apply to both MCOM AND CMST courses and courses taken through other departments to fulfill MCOM and CMST major requirements.
- CMST and MCOM majors must have a cumulative WSU GPA of 2.5 or higher to register for most courses in their academic program.
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 (◆)
Writing (△)
Intensive courses that can be used to satisfy major/minor requirements are identified in the lists of required courses and electives.
ProgramsBachelor of ArtsMinor
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