Communication

Chair: Stephen J. Hartnett
Associate Chair: Barbara Walkosz
Graduate Advisor: Lisa Keränen
Program Assistant: Michelle Medal
Undergraduate Advisor: E. J. Yoder
Internship Coordinator: Suzanne Stromberg
Office: Plaza Building, 102
Telephone: 303-556-2591
Fax: 303-556-6018
Website: clas.ucdenver.edu/communication/

Faculty

Professors:

Brenda J. Allen, PhD, Howard University

Sonja K. Foss, PhD, Northwestern University

Barbara Walkosz, PhD, University of Arizona

Associate Professors:

Larry Erbert, PhD, University of Iowa

Stephen J. Hartnett, PhD, University of California at San Diego

Lisa Keränen, PhD, University of Pittsburgh

James F. Stratman, PhD, Carnegie-Mellon University

Omar Swartz, PhD, Purdue University

Assistant Professors:

Hamilton Bean, PhD, University of Colorado

Instructors:

Yvette Bueno-Olson, PhD, University of Miami

Wanda Lakota, MA, University of Denver

Diann Logan, MA, University of Colorado

Kathleen Pounders, MA, University of Colorado

Suzanne Stromberg, MA, Regent University

E. J. Yoder, PhD, University of Denver

The Department of Communication seeks to enrich understanding of the roles of communication in everyday life, organizational settings and public affairs. While the roots of the discipline trace back to the ancient arts of philosophy, rhetoric and aesthetics, its contemporary practices speak to the opportunities and dilemmas of participating in a globalized, mediated and multicultural society.

The department’s classes are organized in nine pathways, including community service and public affairs, legal communication, health communication, mass media, human resources and organizational communication, mediation and conflict resolution, political communication and government, technical communication and public relations and advertising.

Across these pathways, students are encouraged to merge theoretical studies with practical applications, including in-service learning courses, travel study, internships, social justice projects and other experiential modes of learning. The Department of Communication therefore provides students the skills, knowledge and opportunities to use communication to help create a more humane and civil world.

Undergraduate

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR

Academic Honors

Academic honors are conferred at graduation on students whose achievements are above those required for the bachelor’s degree. Three levels of honors are available to students. Cum laude honors may be earned by communication majors with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and a GPA of 3.5 in 39 hours of communication courses. Magna cum laude and summa cum laude honors require the completion of a semester-long project during the senior year. Additional information about academic honors may be obtained from the undergraduate advisor in communication.

Undergraduate Internships

Internships are opportunities for students to work in communication-related positions in the community and to receive academic credit for that work. These internships provide a way for students to maximize their communication background and their understanding of concepts, theories, models and frameworks within the communication discipline.

To qualify to register for internships in communication, undergraduate students must be communication majors and have a cumulative GPA of 2.75.

Students typically receive 3 hours of academic credit for a one-semester internship in which they work between 15 and 30 hours a week. Communication majors may complete up to 6 hours of internship credit (CMMU 3939).

For further information about internships, contact Suzanne Stromberg at 303-556-6662 or Suzanne.Stromberg@UCDenver.edu.

MINOR IN COMMUNICATION

Undergraduate Certificates

UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN MEDIATION

UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS

UNDERGRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN TECHNICAL AND PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

Grade and Residency Requirements for Certificates

A grade of B or better must be earned in each course completed as part of the certificate (B- is not acceptable). All semester hours for a certificate must be earned at CU Denver.

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Graduate

Grade Requirements

Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher across all courses applied to a graduate degree or to a graduate certificate.

Course Transfer Policy

A maximum of 6 semester hours of relevant graduate course work may be transferred from another university. Students cannot receive credit for transferred courses in which less than a B grade was earned. Course work transferred from another university must be approved by the director of the MA program.

Time Limits for Completion of Degree

Students have seven years from the date of the beginning of their course work to complete all requirements for a master’s degree in communication.

MASTER OF ARTS IN COMMUNICATION

Application Procedures for U.S. Citizens

Students must submit the following materials to apply for admission to the MA program:

letter of application explaining career plans and reasons for interest in the degree
graduate admission application
application for graduate admission—part II
three letters of recommendation, preferably from university faculty (those writing the recommendations must use the request for recommendation form and their own letterhead stationery)
two official transcripts from every college or university attended
resume or vita
writing sample
GRE scores
$50 application fee (nonrefundable)

Application forms are available from the communication department program assistant or the department’s website.

The deadline for application for the fall semester is April 1, for spring semester October 1. All application materials should be sent to:

Program Assistant
University of Colorado Denver
Department of Communication
Campus Box 176; P. O. Box 173364
Denver, CO 80217-3364

Application Procedures for International Students

Students who are not U.S. citizens should begin the process of application to the MA program in communication by contacting the Office of International Affairs at UC Denver. This office will assist students in compiling their application materials, which then are submitted to the communication department. International students should not apply to the communication department directly. See the Information for International Students chapter for further information.

Graduate Certificates

GRADUATE CERTIFICATE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS
Grade and Residency Requirements for Certificates