Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies, M.A.

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Associate Dean Marc Oppenheim, Graduate Program Director, (516) 463-5216

The philosophy of the Department of Speech Communication, Rhetoric, and Performance Studies is based on the recognition that our society is enmeshed in an all-encompassing, interdependent, and ever-expanding web of human and technological communication. Students who major in or take courses in this department learn how the communication process works in interpersonal and group settings, in formal organizations, and in public communication situations. The primary goals of the curriculum are to develop competencies in observing, analyzing, and evaluating communication practices; to develop knowledge about human communication theory; and to develop communication skills in a variety of settings.

The Department of Speech Communication, Rhetoric, and Performance Studies offers a Master of Arts degree both for those students intending to pursue doctoral work and for those for whom an M.A. will be the final degree. The program provides a strong liberal arts background that can be applied to a variety of professional fields such as business, education, and government. Examples of specific career applications include communication training and development, conflict management and resolution, law, corporate and public advocacy, and public performance.

Students receive a great deal of individual attention from faculty and have considerable flexibility in tailoring a course of studies to fit their individual needs. Part-time students are welcome and most classes are scheduled in the evening to accommodate those with daytime employment.

Students may concentrate either in rhetorical studies or in performance studies. In addition, students may, with the permission of the program director, choose a cognate area outside the School of Communication, such as political science, history, English or comparative literature. Students may choose either a final project or a traditional thesis.

Admission Requirements

Prospective students must complete and return an application to the Dean of Graduate Admissions, 126 Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11549-1260. The application process includes:

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Transcripts from all previously attended institutions of higher education.
Two letters of recommendations from faculty who can write in support of the applicant’s scholarship and potential ability to complete graduate-level work.
A writing sample (academic or professional).
In order to be adequately prepared for graduate study, entering students should have taken at least 15 semester hours in the following undergraduate communication courses, earning at least a 3.0 GPA:
- 3 s.h. in basic oral communication (theory and practice)
- 3 s.h. in public speaking
- 3 s.h. in performance studies
- 3 s.h. in interpersonal communication
- 3 s.h. in rhetorical studies (in addition to public speaking)

Financial Assistance

A limited number of partial scholarships are awarded for qualified students. Other student aid in the form of loans and work-study program may also be available.

Program Requirements - Semester Hours: 33

Required Courses - Semester Hours: 9

SPCM 200 - Introduction to Graduate Study Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 210 - Performance Methods Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 226 - Rhetorical Theory Semester Hours: 3

Departmental Electives - Semester Hours: 9-18

SPCM 202 - Research Methods in Communication Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 212 - Performance History Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 214 - Ethnography and Performance Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 216 - Platform, Podium, and Performance Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 219 - Advanced Studies in Small Group Communication Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 220 - Theories of Persuasion Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 221 - Literature in Performance Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 222 - Rhetoric and Popular Culture Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 224 - Rhetorical Criticism Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 225 - Narrative Theory and Performance Studies Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 228 - Language and Social Interaction Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 230 - Critical Approaches to Organizational Communication Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 232 - Communication Rights and Ethics Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 250 - Readings in Speech Communication Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 260 - Advanced Seminar in Speech Communication and Rhetorical Studies Semester Hours: 3
SPCM 282 - Sports, Media and Society Semester Hours: 3

Elective Courses From Other Departments - Semester Hours: 0-6

To be chosen from:

ANTH 200 - Fundamentals of Anthropology Semester Hours: 3
ANTH 250 - Readings in Anthropology Semester Hours: 1-3
ANTH 288 - Advanced Seminar in Anthropology Semester Hours: 3
CAAC 203 - Philosophy of Criticism Semester Hours: 3
CAAC 210 - Studies in American Art and Culture Since 1900 Semester Hours: 3
CRWR 242 - Playwriting Semester Hours: 3
CRWR 243 - Creative Non-Fiction Writing Semester Hours: 3
DRAM 277 - Theater Methods in Educational Dramatics Semester Hours: 3
DRAM 278 - Theater Methods in Educational Dramatics Semester Hours: 3
ELED 278 - Writing and Children’s Literature Semester Hours: 3
ENGL 200 - The Analysis of Prose Semester Hours: 3
HIST 235 - Studies in Long Island Regional History Semester Hours: 3
LYST 209 - Language, Culture and Identity: Literacy Issues for Adolescents and Young Adults Semester Hours: 3
LYST 223 - Introduction to Critical Literacy and Critical Media Studies Semester Hours: 3
PSC 201 - American Political Process Semester Hours: 3
PSC 251 - Readings Semester Hours: 3

Non-Thesis Option - Semester Hours: 3

SPCM 302 - Non-Thesis Project Semester Hours: 3

Thesis Option - Semester Hours: 6

SPCM 303 - Thesis Semester Hours: 3-6

Graduation Requirements

Pass an oral defense of the thesis or non-thesis project.
Completion of all program requirements with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in overall graduate course work.

Career Opportunities

Career paths open to students with graduate training in speech communication are many and varied. These include communication training and development, conflict management and resolution, law, corporate and public advocacy, industrial relations, personnel and human resources, advertising, management, sales, government service, community organization, education and public performance.

Employers consistently report that the number one quality they look for in new hires is the ability to communicate effectively, and that skilled communicators are very hard to find. Graduates of this program will be among the very best-trained communicators entering the job market in any of a very broad range of careers.

Advisement

Graduate students in the School of Communication should contact the Graduate Program Director to have an adviser/mentor assigned as soon as they arrive on campus. Students should meet with their adviser for scheduling of classes for each semester. Adviser/mentors are available throughout each semester.

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