Communication Studies (B.A./B.S.) - Speech Education Specialization

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Program Coordinator/Contact

Joshua Westwick, Associate Director
School of Communication and Journalism
Pugsley Center 115, Box 2218
605-688-6131

Program Information

This area of specialization is designed for the person who plans to become a communication educator. While the emphasis is primarily on secondary education, the area can serve as a specialization for teaching higher education as well.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be prepared to:

Describe the Communication discipline and its central questions by employing communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
Engage in Communication inquiry. (Cross-curricular Skill: Inquiry and Analysis)
Create and critically analyze messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context. (Cross-curricular Skill: Critical and Creative Thinking)
Demonstrate the ability to accomplish communicative goals (self-efficacy). (Cross-curricular Skill: Foundational Lifelong Learning Skills)
Prepare for ethical public influence that embraces differences. (Cross-curricular Skill: Civic Knowledge and Engagement; Diversity, Inclusion and Equity)

Academic Requirements

A grade of “C” or better is required in SPCM 101 , ENGL 101 , PSYC 101 , and MATH 103 or higher (if these courses are in your plan of study), and all courses for the major (classes with department/program prefix).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required to enroll in any education courses.

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)
South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

Completion of an approved bachelor’s Secondary preparation program.
Completion of an approved Indian Studies course.
Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
Completion of a Suicide Awareness and Prevention training, available free online through the South Dakota Department of Education.
Apply online with the South Dakota Department of Education.
Written recommendation from institution of higher education (SDSU) verifying program completion.

Course Delivery Format

Courses utilize lecture, laboratory, small group, collaborative and integrative techniques.

Requirements for Communication Studies Major - Speech Education Specialization: 120 Credits

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication:
ENGL 101 - Composition I (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
and
ENGL 201 - Composition II (COM) [SGR #1] Credits: 3
Goal #2 Oral Communication: SGR #2 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #3 Social Sciences/Diversity: SGR #3 Electives Credits: 6 (recommended SOC 100 - Introduction to Sociology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 and/or PSYC 101 - General Psychology (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 )
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities/Diversity: SGR #4 Electives Credits: 6
Goal #5 Mathematics: SGR #5 Elective Credits: 3
Goal #6 Natural Sciences: SGR #6 Electives Credits: 6

College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements

One declared minor outside of the major prefix OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department. The minor can be in a different college. The minor must be declared no later than the student’s third semester of enrollment.
Capstone course in the major discipline
Upper division coursework Credits: 33

Bachelor of Arts Requirements: 9+

Modern Foreign Language Including the 202-Level Credits: 6+
AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 13+

Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.
AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3

System General Education and/or major coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements. Consult program advisor for details. See the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

MCOM 151 - Introduction to Mass Communication (COM) [SGR #4] Credits: 3
MCOM 416-516 - Mass Media in Society Credits: 3
SPCM 201 - Interpersonal Communication (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3
SPCM 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
or SPCM 311 - Business and Professional Communication Credits: 3
SPCM 222 - Argumentation and Debate (COM) [SGR #2] Credits: 3
SPCM 281 - Speech and Debate Activities (COM) Credits: 1-4 (3 credits required) (Complete over two consecutive semesters)
SPCM 305 - Communication Research (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 434 - Small Group Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 470 - Intercultural Communication (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 476 - 7-12 Speech Methods (COM) Credits: 3
SPCM 491-591 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3 (1 credit required) (Forensic Team Management)
SPCM and/or MCOM Electives Credits: 5

Teaching Specialization Requirements

AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3] Credits: 3 (College Requirement)
EDFN 101 - Exploration of Teaching and Learning (COM) Credits: 1
EDFN 340 - Adolescent Development in Educational Contexts Credits: 3
EDFN 351 - Teaching and Learning I Credits: 1
EDFN 352 - Teaching and Learning II Credits: 3
EDFN 352L - Teaching and Learning II Lab Credits: 2
EDFN 453 - Teaching and Learning III Credits: 3
EDFN 453L - Teaching and Learning III Lab Credits: 4
EDFN 454 - Teaching and Learning IV: Student Teaching Credits: 11
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
SEED 456 - Capstone/Action Research Credits: 1
SPCM 476 - 7-12 Speech Methods (COM) Credits: 3 (Teaching Content Methods Requirement) (Major Requirement)

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	9+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	36 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	31 Credit Hours
Electives**	14 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science in Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
System General Education Requirements	30 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements*	13+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	36 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	31 Credit Hours
Electives**	16 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements, Major Requirements, and Supporting Coursework may satisfy some or all of the above requirements.
**Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Academic Advising Guide Sheet

The goal of the academic advising guide sheets and sample plans of study is to promote undergraduate student success by guiding all students to timely completion of an undergraduate degree. Students are not limited to the course sequence provided for their academic program. Instead, the sample plan of study is one possible path to completing your degree and is meant to be used as a guide for planning purposes in consultation with an academic advisor. The plans also help students prepare for meetings with their academic advisor and track their progress in their selected academic program.