Missouri Southern State University, BS, Communication

Form NP

NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL FORM

Sponsoring Institution(s): Missouri Southern State University
Program Title: Bachelor of Science in Communication
Degree/Certificate: Bachelor of Science in Communication
Options: Mass Communication - Speech Communication - Public Relations
Delivery Site(s): Missouri Southern main campus in Joplin
CIP Classification: 090101 (Please provide a CIP code)
Implementation Date: Fall 2008
Cooperative Partners: NA
Expected Date of First Graduation: May 2010

AUTHORIZATION

Richard McCallum

2. Need
The Bachelor of Science in Communication will broaden the options available to Missouri Southern students pursuing study in Communication. The B.S. is an applied degree. As the course of study shows, it is heavily weighted with applied coursework and requires application of such acquired skills in a practical work environment. What follows is a more detailed discussion of the justification for the program.

A. Student Demand:

Faculty inquiry leads us to believe student demand exists for the B.S. degree in Communication. The Department of Communication surveyed students in fall 2005 using the Oral Communication sections offered in the Department. A total of 336 surveys were completed by students in 14 majors. Of the total, 320 surveys were used in the final analysis. The other 16 surveys were unusable, because of omissions of the student’s major or omission on one of the four Likert scale items. The estimated enrollment for the B.S. in Communication degree is expected to be approximately two-thirds of enrolled communication majors (approximately 40 out of a projected 60) within five years. The number of B.S. track enrollees is expected to be moderate at first, perhaps 25 percent. Projections regarding enrollment in the B.S. program are summarized in Form SE. Interest in the degree is expected to be cumulative, as students become aware of its benefits versus the traditional B.A. degree.; Several instructors have evidenced a great deal of verbal interest in the B.S. track, from both communication practitioners and career-track students.

i. Form SE

STUDENT ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

Year	1	2	3	4	5
Full-Time	10	13	17	22	30
Part-Time	5	5	8	10	10
TOTAL	15	18	25	32	40

ii.Enrollment will not be capped in the future.

B. Market Demand

Students who pursue the B.S. in Communication will wield several advantages as a result of the applied orientation of the degree. First, given the overwhelming shift in communication toward the emphasis of theory meets application the past few decades, the B.S. is a more applied degree serving the student needs of the region. Second, the students’ performance will be enhanced by their higher level of preparation in the practical communication field. Third, their initial entry and scope of career options will be widened with these applied skills. Additionally, the B.S. degree will add classes at Missouri Southern that, if taken by B.A. students, will strengthen their admissions profile and practical performance as well.

The majority of career options for communication majors require some level of specialized practical skills – either as consumers or practitioners in communication related careers. This is true for public relations practitioners; teachers; advertising specialists; communication consultants and auditors; government, academic, or private foundation spokespeople; and lawyers. The B.S. degree will ensure that Missouri Southern students will be initially competitive in this marketplace.

The B.S. in Communication prepares students for several career areas projected to have increases in the Missouri region between 1998 and 2008. Communication and business analysts are expected to increase by 23%. Legal fields are expected to show increases for paralegals (62%), legal assistants (13%), and lawyers (21%). (See Source: http://www.misouriworks.com)

C. Societal Need

One of the chief underpinnings of a successful democratic culture is an informed citizenry. In today’s society, there is an emphasis in private firms on getting past theoretical work and focus on application of communication skills. Most employers seek applicants who have ‘superior’ communication skills. The top four skills needed for job performance continue to be communication related. Vitally linked to graduate job performance is the broad area of communication competency. The B.S. in Communication seeks to fill that need. Basic communication skills are necessary to make informed decisions surrounding the context of messages. With the applied and practical nature of the B.S. in Communication degree program, the education at MSSU will center on the mastery of practical competencies. Finally, the B.S. in Communication would assist in providing students the tools to apply critical thinking skills to complex matters of general societal importance.

D. Methodology

The above claims were made from: student departmental surveys foremost; professional advertisements in regional newspapers; literature published by the National Communication Association; and, through the cumulative experience and contacts of the faculty in this discipline.

3. Duplication and Collaboration

The University of Missouri-Columbia, Truman State University, Northwest Missouri State University, Central Missouri State University, University of Missouri-St. Louis, the University of Arkansas, Pittsburg State University and Missouri State University all offer both a B.A. and a B.S. in Communication. The closest institution offering a similar program is MSU, approximately 70 miles east of Joplin. The MSU program is similar to the proposed program in terms of an emphasis on a practical approach to communication studies.

A clear majority of MSSU students, 59%, are from Jasper and Newton counties and are tied to the area by jobs and family responsibilities. Another 11% come from the surrounding counties of Barry, Barton, McDonald, Lawrence, Vernon, and Dade. Many of the students have circumstances making going elsewhere to college impossible. The options available to them are largely determined by the options provided at MSSU. Additionally, there are family concerns requiring entry into the selected career field as fast as feasible for economic reasons. The current Communication faculty members are qualified and sufficient to handle the new program. Delivering the program will not involve collaborative efforts with any external institution or organization.

4. Program Structure-- Form PS

A. Total credits required for graduation: 124

B. Residency requirements: The following minimum requirements must be met in residence at Missouri Southern: (1) 30 of the last 36 hours counted toward the degree; (2) one-half of the courses both required for the major and in the major department; (3) one-half of the upper division courses both required for the major and in the major department.

C. Core curriculum: 51 total credit hours

Requirements in the core curriculum are:

English Composition - 6 cr.
Communications* - 3 cr.
Mathematics - 3 cr.
Humanities & Fine Arts - 9 cr.
Biology - 4 cr.
Physical Science - 5 cr.
Behavioral Science - 3 cr.
American History - 6 cr.
Political Science - 3 cr.
Economics - 3 cr.
Kinesiology - 3 cr.
International Studies - 3 cr.
*Communication 100 fulfills both core and major requirements.

D. Major requirements: The B.S. in communication will have a common set of core requirements. Additionally, there will be selected areas of emphasis for three career options.

Bachelor of Science in Communication Core Requirements 28 hours

Comm 100 Oral Communication* - 3 hrs
Comm 101 Introduction to Human Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 215 Interpersonal Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 305 Intercultural Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 310 Communication Law - 3 hrs
Comm 340 Research Methods in Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 492 Communication Issues - 3 hrs
Total - 21 hrs

Additional Basic Core Requirements:

One of the following four courses:

Comm 121 Forensics Workshop - 1 hr
Comm 220 Practicum in Communication (any area) - 1 hr
Comm 321 Advanced Forensic Workshop - 1 hr
Comm 330 Advanced Practicum 1 hr
Total - 1 hr

One of the following two courses:

Comm 325 Broadcast News Reporting - 3 hrs
Comm 470 New Media Technology - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

One of the following two courses:

Comm 304 Small Group Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 307 Professional Interviewing - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

Communication Mass Communication Option:

Must fulfill the Communication Core Requirements of 28 hours previously listed.

Comm 111 Newswriting - 3 hrs
Comm 220 Practicum in Communication (in addition to the core) - 1 hr
Comm 301 Media Management - 3 hrs
Comm 330 Advanced Communication Practicum - 1 hrs
Comm 420 Mass Communication Theory - 3 hr
Total 11 hrs

One of the following two courses

Comm 200 Audio Production in Media - 3 hrs
Comm 201 Video Production - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

One of the following courses:

Comm 301 Media Management - 3 hrs
Comm 335 Feature Writing - 3 hrs
Comm 350 Sports Writing - 3 hrs
Comm 425 Broadcast Scriptwriting - 3 hrs
Comm 460 Global Journalism - 3 hrs
Foreign Language - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

Communication Electives - 4 hrs

Required Courses Total (Including Communication Core) 49 hours

Communication Speech Communication Option:

Must fulfill the Communication Core Requirements of 28 hours previously listed.

Comm 300 Organizational Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 303 Advanced Public Speaking - 3 hrs
Comm 401 Nonverbal Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 405 Advanced Intercultural Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 411 Political and Social Communication - 3 hrs
Total 15 hrs

One of the following courses:

Comm 305 Persuasion - 3 hrs
Comm 308 Gender Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 400 Advanced Organizational Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 462 Communication in Japanese Culture - 3 hrs
Foreign Language - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

Communication Electives - 4 hrs

Required Courses Total (Including Communication Core) 50 hours

Communication Public Relations Option:

Must fulfill the Communication Core Requirements of 28 hours previously listed.

Comm 111 Newswriting - 3 hrs
Comm 311 Introduction to Public Relations - 3 hrs
Comm 355 Case Studies in Public Relations - 3 hrs
Comm 420 Mass Communications Theory - 3 hrs
Comm 455 Writing for Public Relations - 3 hrs
Total 15 hrs

One of the following two courses

Comm 200 Audio Production for Media - 3 hrs
Comm 201 Video Production - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

One of the following courses:

Comm 300 Organizational Communication - 3 hrs
Comm 301 Media Management - 3 hrs
Comm 333 Copy Editing - 3 hrs
Comm 335 Feature Writing - 3 hrs
Comm 350 Sports Writing - 3 hrs
Comm 425 Broadcast Scriptwriting - 3 hrs
Comm 460 Global Journalism - 3 hrs
Foreign Language - 3 hrs
Total 3 hrs

Communication Electives - 4 hrs

Required Courses Total (Including Communication Core) 53 hours

E. Number of free elective credits remaining (Sum of C, D, and E should equal A)
The free electives vary by option: Mass Communication 27, Speech Communication 26, and Public Relations 23.

F. Requirements for thesis, internship, or other capstone experiences
A one hour practicum is required for all majors. Internships are strongly encouraged, but not required.

5. Financial Projections: Form FP (Deleted)

6. Program Characteristics and Performance Goals: Form PG

1. Student Preparation: No special admissions procedures are required for this program. The program is open to all students who meet Missouri Southern admissions requirements.

2. Faculty Characteristics: Faculty members all hold graduate degrees in Communication. Seventy-five percent of faculty members hold a terminal degree. Full-time faculty members will teach approximately 95% of the program hours.

3. Enrollment Projections: Student FTE in the B.S. in Communication should be approximately two-thirds of all full-time Communication major enrollees by the end of five years. Based on an approximation of 60 majors, this would be 40 students. Part-time enrollment would be expected to be approximately 30% of all Communication majors, and 30% of the B.S. students.

4. Student and Program Outcomes: Five B.S. graduates are expected in year three following implementation, with nine graduates expected in year five. As indicated above, B.S. students will be equipped with practical skills for success in the regional job market. Additionally, the focus on the art of communication means better preparation for graduates studies in M.A. communication programs.
   
   In essence, the communication core enables students to develop an understanding in the theory, process, evaluation, form, context, and content of messages. Beyond the interpersonal skill development necessary for achievement in a pluralistic environment, students will be able to demonstrate effective critical thinking skills and logical structure. The completion of the area of concentration (public relations, speech communication, mass communication) requires students to demonstrate professional competence leading to employment. In the future, the Department envisions degree completion and professional certification in one field, public relations.
   
   The Missouri Southern Communication Department uses an in-house assessment of seniors’ acquired skills. The examination, administered each spring to graduating seniors, was first used in 1988. The senior exit interview format stresses resume preparation, interviewing techniques, multiple interviews by faculty and area professionals, portfolio preparation/review, and a detailed out-briefing.
   
   Placement rates of Missouri Southern B.A. Communication graduates in post-baccalaureate positions related to their degree (including continuing graduate education in Communication) are detailed in Table 1. Each percentage is the number of related-placements divided by all Communication graduates.
   
   The B.S. in Communication is expected to have two effects on these rates over time. First, it is expected to stabilize related-placement rates. Second, it is expected to ensure that the rate is high. The B.S. will affect stabilization and success in related-placement by ensuring the acquisition of new practitioner skills that will open new markets to our graduates and by making them aware of career avenues that they might not have recognized, no matter what their skills. A 75% related-placement should be attainable for the B.S. in Communication by the end of a five year period.

Table 1. Placement of Communication Graduates
Academic Year	Percent Graduates in Related-Placement
2004 – 2005	50
2003 – 2004	50
2002 – 2003	56
2001 – 2002	40
2000 – 2001	49
1999 – 2000	64
1998 – 1999	57
1997 – 1998	56

Source: MSSU Placement Office, 2006; Department of Communication Internal database on tracking graduates, 2004

5. Program Accreditation: No special accreditation exists for this program.

6. Alumni and Employer Survey: Currently, no formal mechanism exists to gauge the satisfaction of alumni or their employers. However, upon implementation, a survey will be mailed to all B.S. graduates at periods of one, three, and five years after their graduation to gauge how the program has prepared them for their careers, and how it affected their ultimate career choice. Finally, employers will be surveyed during the departmental senior exit interview process to include external evaluators, conducted annually in February.

7. Accreditation

There is no separate accreditation available for the B.S. in Communication

8. Institutional Characteristics

Missouri Southern is well positioned to offer the B.S. in Communication degree. Missouri Southern has an existing B.A. in Communication. Many of the students are place bound by job and family commitments; the new B.S. provides the students a more structured option to receiving an applied Communication degree. The current faculty members possess the professional expertise necessary to support the degree. No new faculty will be required to fulfill the teaching requirements of the degree.