Capstone Information
The MCOM program includes 30 total credit hours, 24 of which are through focused coursework. All students then conclude a six-hour capstone sequence that is highly self-directed and specialized around your specific interests. To complete this sequence, you’ll select two of the following courses to take.
COMM 690 Communication Pedagogy - Under the supervision of a graduate faculty member, the communication pedagogy course provides students interested in the teaching and/or coaching profession to develop a greater understanding of and appreciation for the teaching experience. The pedagogy course typically includes five elements: teaching observation, reflection/critique, class management, and investigation of the communication discipline.
COMM 699 Independent Study - Individual study of an agreed-upon topic under the direction of a faculty member, following a course of reading and other requirements proposed by the student and established by negotiation with the graduate faculty member.
COMM 701 Master’s Thesis - Credit hours for completion of a formal master's thesis under faculty direction. A successful oral defense of the thesis is required.
COMM 795 Internship - A supervised field experience in which the student observes and participates in work related to the communication degree. The internship requires 120 or more hours of work and completion of a formal report. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Again, select any two of these four possible courses to complete the capstone sequence. The most popular option to date has been a combination of 699 (independent study) and 795 (internship).
How to enroll in these courses:
To register for one of these courses, send two items to the graduate director. If you are enrolling in summer courses, send these to the director by May 1.
- This individual enrollment form, one for each course.
- A separate syllabus for this course.
- You create this syllabus, and it is approved by the professor who is overseeing the project.
- When you ask MCOM professors to work with you on topic-focused courses like 690 or 699, think about two things:
- A) Ask well in advance so that professors’ schedules don’t fill up.
- B) Be specific about what you’re asking.