Summer 2011

Potential master’s candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Sheree Josephson, who is the director of the graduate program. Her e-mail is sjosephson@weber.edu.

The due date for application materials is Feb. 1. Applicants for admission into the MPC must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or be in the final stage of completing the degree. They must also have completed the prerequisites of COMM 3000 (Communication Theory) and COMM 3150 (Communication Research Methods) or close equivalents before enrolling in any MPC course.

In addition, applicants must have taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last five years. The MPC is a 37-semester-hour program designed to be completed in two years. It has been created to meet the needs of challenging schedules of working adults. Flexible scheduling consisting of evening, weekend and online-enhanced courses will be offered. The specific goals of this graduate program are to produce graduates who:

• Will make effective leaders, managers and organizational members in a wide range of careers including business, the public sector, and non-profit environments.
• Are specifically prepared to understand the role of communication within the overall enterprises of industry, citizenry, and individual lives.
• Are experts in oral, written, visual and digital communication and are prepared to lead and teach others in these areas.
• Demonstrate understanding and abilities across a broad array of communication contexts (organizational, interpersonal, small group, mass media, public relations, etc.)
• Are engaged on issues of difference, global diversity and multiculturalism.

Beginning in the summer of 2011, master’s students are required to take three classes:

• Intro to Graduate Studies for a Master in Professional Communication (1 credit), 
• Presentational Speaking and Visual Communication for the Workplace (2 credits) and 
• Writing for Professional Communicators (3 credits). 

These are offered in the first seven-week summer session, which runs from May through June.

Other required classes include:

• Team Building and Facilitation (3), 
• New Media in Professional Communication, 
• Communicating Organizational Leadership (3), 
• Strategic Communication (3), 
• Research Methods for Professional Communication (3), 
• Advanced Communication Research and Writing (1), 
• Thesis/Project I (3) and 
• Thesis/Project II (3).

Students may take nine credits of electives consisting of dual-designation communication classes or several courses from the Master of Business Administration or the Master of Health Administration. With the approval of an academic adviser, students may also take their electives at other universities.

The Web site for the program is under development. In the meantime, contact Dr. Josephson.