The Department of Speech Communication seeks to provide graduate students
with the tools for generating new knowledge about human communication and to
cultivate skills in transmitting knowledge about communication to various
constituencies in need of that information. The graduate program is focused
on training students for careers in higher education or in research-related
industries. Our faculty are nationally recognized authorities in specialized
areas of rhetorical studies, interpersonal communication, persuasion, and
health communication. We are active scholars and committed teachers who
embrace a philosophy of accessibility and supportiveness to graduate
students. We believe that the opportunity to work with faculty whose
research you find interesting and stimulating is one of the most important
factors contributing to a satisfying graduate school experience. Graduate
education in this department is particularly founded upon the ideal that
each advanced learner's individual interests and talents can be recognized,
nourished, and honed in a climate of rigorous study. Consistent with this
ideal, the department encourages graduate students in speech communication
to engage in individually tailored interdisciplinary study.