Master of Arts in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts
Admission Requirements
Degree Requirements
Financial Aid
Master of Science in Administration
Unspecified Content or Variable Credit Courses
SDA Course Descriptions
IPC Course Descriptions
TAI Course Descriptions

Department of Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts website

Michael Papa, Chairperson
333 Moore Hall, (989) 774-3177

Steven Berglund, M.F.A., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Denny L. Bettisworth, Ph.D., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Nancy L. Buerkel-Rothfuss, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Timothy Connors, Ph.D., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Yvette Crandall, M.A., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
William Dailey, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Charlotte Dooling, M.F.A., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Pamela Gray, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Edward Hinck, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Shelly Schaefer Hinck, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Mary Jo Lodge, Ph.D., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Rhona Justice-Malloy, Ph.D., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Diane Krider, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Albert L. Lewis, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
David A. Ling, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Elizabeth Murray, Ph.D., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Michael Papa, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Wendy Papa, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Doris J. Ramsey, M.A., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Mary Ann Renz, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Peter Ross, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication
Jill Taft-Kaufman, Ph.D., Theatre, Interpretation and Dance
Lesley Withers, Ph.D., Interpersonal and Public Communication

Master of Arts in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts
The graduate program of study in Speech Communication and Dramatics Arts provides a strong background in communication research methods and classical and contemporary communication theory. Graduates from the program follow a variety of careers. Many continue graduate work in Ph.D. programs, become secondary or community college teachers, or find positions in business and media (marketing, management, training, consulting) or as coordinators of social service and volunteer organizations. Still others pursue careers in law, politics and the ministry.

The faculty, which is widely recognized for its teaching excellence, is also very active in research, publication, professional organizations and consulting. Among the faculty are specialists in rhetoric, interpersonal communication, organizational communication and communication education. Areas of research specialization include family communication, conflict and negotiation, persuasion and argumentation, interpersonal and nonverbal communication, instructional development, risk communication, and intercultural communication. Faculty have published books on communication education, family communication, presidential debates, and small group communication, as well as numerous journal articles on a wide array of topics.

Students who seek a graduate degree in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts will find an environment full of opportunities. Student options include: participating in one of the finest communication teacher-training programs in the country; assisting in the debate and forensics program; participating in ongoing faculty research projects; and developing their own research with faculty assistance.

Perhaps the greatest asset of the department is its concern for its students. The department is committed to creating as vibrant and healthy a learning environment as possible. Thus, students will find the program challenging and the faculty supportive.

Admission Requirements
In addition to the general university requirements, for regular admission to the Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts graduate program, the student must have an over-all grade point average of 2.7 or higher in the last 60 hours of undergraduate credit, and a grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the last 15 hours of speech communication and dramatic arts courses or courses determined by the department to be related to speech communication or dramatic arts. A student who does not meet the above requirements may be admitted to graduate study on a conditional basis.

Degree Requirements
A thesis is required for completion of the Master's Degree. Students may choose to complete a research or an applied research thesis.  A total of 30 hours is required for completion of the Master's Degree.

I. Concentration in one of the following areas:

A. Interpersonal and Public Communication
Required courses (24 hours)
SDA 600 (3) Introduction to Research and Graduate Study in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts
SDA 601 (3) Research Design in Speech Communication
IPC 602 (3) Qualitative Research Methods in Communication OR 
IPC 750 (3) Rhetorical Criticism
IPC 661 (3) Contemporary Communication Theory
IPC 664 (3) Advanced Organizational Communication
IPC 668 (3) Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
IPC 798 (6) Thesis

Selected courses in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts and Interpersonal and Public Communication (0-6)
To be selected in consultation with advisor with no more than 3 credits from IPC 764 and IPC 790.

B. Oral Interpretation
Required courses (6 hours)
SDA 600 (3) Introduction to Research and Graduate Study in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts
SDA 601 (3) Research Design in Speech Communication

Selected courses is Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts and
Theatre (14-24 hours)
To be selected in consultation with advisor.

C. Theatre
Required Courses (6 hours)
SDA 600 (3) Introduction to Research and Graduate Study in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts
SDA 601 (3) Research Design in Speech Communication

Selected courses in Speech Communication and Dramatic Arts and Theatre (14-24 hours)
To be selected in consultation with advisor.
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Financial Aid
The department offers two kinds of financial aid: teaching assistantships and forensics assistantships. Graduate teaching assistants teach two classes per semester.  Graduate forensics assistants teach a class and work and travel with either the debate team or individual events participants. Assistants in good standing are eligible for a minimum of two semesters of financial support and a 20-credit tuition scholarship. Graduate assistantships may be renewed for an additional semester at one half the annual stipend and ten hours tuition waiver.
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Master of Science in Administration
The Master of Science in Administration is an interdisciplinary program in which students take core courses in human administration and then courses in a specialized concentration area. The Department of Speech Communication and Dramatics Arts sponsors a concentration in organizational communication. Requirements for this 36-hour program are detailed in the Master of Science in Administration program, which is one of CMU’s interdisciplinary degrees.
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Unspecified content or variable credit courses. Click here for additional information regarding these types of courses. The following courses offered through the department are of unspecified content or variable credit: SDA 593; IPC 555, 660, 764, 790; TAI 572, 577, 578, 584, 589, 590, 790.
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