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

Location(s): Brookings Main Campus

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Students talking in a classroom.

Program Coordinator/Contact

Rebecca A. Kuehl, Associate Director
Erica Quam, Professional Academic Advisor
School of Communication and Journalism
Yeager Hall 211
605-688-4171

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.

Accreditation

Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)

South Dakota Department of Education

Certification and Licensure

Completion of an approved teacher preparation program.
Completion of an approved South Dakota Indian studies course.
Pass the state designated content knowledge test or 2.7 GPA in content major coursework.
Pass the state designated pedagogy test.
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.

Teacher Education Program Progression Requirements

Acceptance into Teacher Education

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA in the academic major of 2.6 is required.
Completion of program application and professional licensure location form.

Acceptance into Residency I

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.
The teacher candidate must take the Praxis content exam.
The teacher candidate is also required to complete a criminal background check with field placements, a TB test with negative reading, and CPR and first aid certification.

Acceptance into Residency II

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.
The teacher candidate must take the Praxis PLT exam.

Academic Requirements

A grade of “C” or better is required in education coursework (classes with AIS, EDFN, SPED, or SEED prefixes).
A grade of “C” or better is required in academic major coursework (classes with CMST or MCOM prefix).
An overall GPA of 2.5 is required.
A GPA of 2.7 is required in both major and education courses.

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

Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science

System General Education Requirements

Goal #1 Written Communication: SGR #1 Elective Credits: 6
Goal #2 Oral Communication: CMST 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Major Requirement) or CMST 222 - Argumentation and Debate (COM) [SGR #2, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Major Requirement)
Goal #3 Social Sciences: AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3 (Teaching Specialization Requirement) and SGR #3 Electives Credits: 3
Goal #4 Arts and Humanities: 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 discipline OR a second major OR a teaching specialization. The minor may be a traditional minor within one department or school or it may be interdisciplinary involving more than one department or school. 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: 6+

Modern Foreign Language including the 202-Level Credits: 6+

Bachelor of Science Requirements: 10+

Natural Sciences Credits: 10+
- Any two lab sciences.
- Coursework must include 2 prefixes.
- MATH and STAT courses do not count toward the science requirement.

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 and Social Sciences for additional information about Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science specifications.

Major Requirements

CMST 201 - Interpersonal Communication (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
CMST 215 - Public Speaking (COM) [SGR #2, HSDC] Credits: 3
or CMST 222 - Argumentation and Debate (COM) [SGR #2, HSDC] Credits: 3
CMST 281 - Speech and Debate Activities (COM) Credits: 1-4 (3 credits required) (Complete over two consecutive semesters)
CMST 305 - Communication Research (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 311 - Business and Professional Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 434 - Small Group Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 470 - Intercultural Communication (COM) Credits: 3
CMST 491 - Independent Study (COM) Credits: 1-3 (1 credit required) (Forensic Team Management)
CMST and/or MCOM Electives Credits: 5
ENGL 424 - 7-12 Language Arts Methods Credits: 3
MCOM 119 - First-Year Seminar in Communication and Journalism Credits: 2
MCOM 151 - Introduction to Mass Communication (COM) [SGR #4, HSDC] Credits: 3
MCOM 416 - Mass Media in Society Credits: 3

Teaching Specialization Requirements

AIS 211 - South Dakota American Indian Culture and Education (COM) [SGR #3, HSDC] Credits: 3
EDFN 102 - Introduction to Education (COM) Credits: 3
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 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
ENGL 424 - 7-12 Language Arts Methods Credits: 3 (Teaching Content Methods Requirement) (Major Requirement)
SEED 450 - Reading and Content Literacy (COM) Credits: 2
SEED 456 - Capstone/Action Research Credits: 1
SPED 100 - Introduction to Persons with Exceptionalities (COM) Credits: 3

Electives

Taken as needed to complete any additional degree requirements.

Total Required Credits: 120

Summary of Program Requirements

Bachelor of Arts
System General Education Requirements*	24 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements**	6+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	38 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	37 Credit Hours
Electives***	15 Credit Hours
Bachelor of Science
System General Education Requirements*	24 Credit Hours
College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences Requirements**	10+ Credit Hours
Major Requirements	38 Credit Hours
Teaching Specialization Requirements	37 Credit Hours
Electives***	17 Credit Hours

*System General Education Requirements for students pursuing a baccalaureate degree shall include a minimum of 30 credit hours. Some general education coursework may be counted for Major Requirements, Supporting Coursework, and College Requirements.
**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.