2005 - 2006 Master of Professional Communication (MPC)

Faculty: Alan Bowes, Fred Fogo, Helen Hodgson (Program Director), Christine Seifert, Kim Zarkin

Program Goals

To enhance skills in a specific area of communication.
To develop an understanding of the use and application of technology essential in the communication field.
To develop a broader understanding of ethical and social responsibilities of professional communicators.
To improve oral and written communication skills.
To develop a deeper appreciation for the importance of effective visual design and enhanced abilities to apply design principles to communication pieces.

Objectives

The Master of Professional Communication (MPC) degree program and the related Graduate Communication Certificates are designed to prepare writers and communication experts for positions in business, industry, government, or any other organization where communication skills are a primary tool. Participants in the programs have an opportunity to enhance their communication skills without interrupting their professional careers. People with undergraduate degrees in a variety of areas can acquire useful skills to increase the professionalism of their work or to prepare for new careers. With a core that provides a conceptual and historical framework in communication ethics, rhetoric, traditional and online writing, visual communication, and oral presentations, students in the MPC Program can elect an emphasis in writing or in another specialty area. Graduate Communication Certificates are available to those who wish to enhance or update their skills in a specific area of communication.

Admission to the Program

Admission to the program is based on an evaluation of undergraduate work and professional experience. Students may enter the program at the beginning of fall or spring semester or of the graduate summer term.

A candidate for admission must submit the following materials to the Office of Admissions:

A completed Application for Graduate Admission form with a $40 application fee
Evidence of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university or a recognized international college or university
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
A personal résumé detailing all job titles, work experience, duties, and related activities
A sample of professional writing or other writing as required by the admissions committee

When an individual's file is complete, the application materials are evaluated by the MPC Admissions Committee. Once accepted to the MPC Program, the applicant must submit a $250 tuition deposit, which guarantees a place in the entering class.

Note: International students with baccalaureate degrees from countries other than the United States must present a TOEFL score of 600 or above.

Provisional Admission

Following a committee review of unofficial documents, students with completed baccalaureate degrees may be admitted to the program on a provisional status, pending receipt of official copies of all necessary documents and completion of the admissions process. These students will be permitted to register for one semester on provisional status but must complete their files and gain full admission before continuing the program in subsequent semesters.

Program Requirements for the MPC Degree

Students are required to take a total of 38 credit hours, which includes either a writing emphasis or a unique emphasis developed by the student in consultation with a faculty advisor.

A grade of C is the lowest passing grade for all courses taken in the MPC Program. All courses must be taken for a letter grade, and students are required to earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in order to graduate. A minimum of 30 hours must be taken at Westminster College. Courses completed at other graduate institutions must carry a grade of B or better to be eligible for transfer credit.

Academic Probation and Suspension Policy

Students in the MPC Program are expected to maintain a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0. Students whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation must earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 the next semester in which they enroll. Probationary students who fail to earn a semester grade point average of at least 3.0 that semester will be suspended from the MPC Program.

Probationary students whose semester grade point average is 3.0 or higher but whose cumulative grade point average still remains below 3.0 will continue on academic probation. Probationary students whose cumulative grade point average reaches 3.0 or higher will be returned to good academic standing.

Probationary students are required to meet with the MPC Program Director prior to enrolling for the upcoming semester.

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for graduation should apply to the Registrar's Office approximately two regular semesters prior to planned completion of graduation requirements. Applications for December graduation are due in September and applications for May and August graduation are due in October. Please see the Academic Calendar for more specific dates. Candidates are notified of remaining degree requirements within four weeks after applying for graduation.

To be eligible for a master's degree or graduate certificate, students must satisfy the following conditions:

Meet all credit hour and other course requirements.
Maintain an overall grade point average of 3.0 or above.
Be enrolled at Westminster College during the semester in which they wish to graduate.
Maintain good academic standing.
Earn a grade of C or higher in all graduate courses.

Note: Only graduate-level coursework may be applied toward degree or certificate requirements.

The final responsibility for being informed about, and adhering to, graduation requirements rests with the individual.

MPC Course Overview

Because of the program's orientation toward the practical, most courses incorporate some kind of field experience or contact with outside professionals. This might take the form of papers or projects based on existing situations in businesses, or it might involve working with real clients. Another possibility is the participation of speakers and practitioners from the local community in classroom situations.

Master of Professional Communication Courses

MPC 600 Communication Ethics and the Democratic Process	3
MPC 602 Rhetorical Theory and Practice	3
MPC 610 Professional and Technical Writing	3
MPC 611 Public Relations Writing and Planning	3
MPC 614 Writing for the Computer Industry	3
MPC 615 Writing for Business	3
MPC 616 Writing for Popular Publications	3
MPC 617 Writing for Peer-Reviewed Journals	3
MPC 618 Professional Editing	3
MPC 620 Organizational Communication	3
MPC 630 Visual Communication	3
MPC 635 Design Principles and Desktop Publishing	3
MPC 636 Multimedia Systems	1
MPC 637 Web Design and Production	3
MPC 638 Digital Image Editing	3
MPC 639 Web Site Planning and Management	3
MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation	3
MPC 642 Project Planning and Management	3
MPC 652 Effective Presentations	3
MPC 653 Fundamentals of Oral Presentations	1
MPC 660 Publication Design	1
MPC 663 Grant Research and Writing	3
MPC 664 Proposal Writing	1
MPC 665 Public Relations Writing for Broadcast	1
MPC 666 Freelance Writing and Editing	1
MPC 668 Directed Studies	1-4
MPC 670 Special Topics	1-3
MPC 690 Field Project	3
MPC 699 Continuing Registration	0
MBA 510E International Marketing	3
MBA 593E Telecommunications and Integrated Information Systems	3
MBA 655E Management Support Systems	3
MBA 659E Special Topics in Management Information Systems	3
MBA 670E Training and Development	3
MBA 674E Special Topics in Marketing	3
MBA 675E Database Management	3
MBA 677E Development and Future of Management Thought	3
MBA 694E Business Systems Analysis and Design	3
MBA 695E Information Systems Planning and Policy	3

Degree Requirements

Students must elect a writing or a student-designed emphasis:

Writing Emphasis		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	21
	MPC 600 Comm. Ethics and the Democratic Process MPC 602 Rhetorical Theory and Practice MPC 610 Professional and Technical Writing MPC 618 Professional Editing MPC 630 Visual Communication MPC 652 Effective Presentations MPC 690 Field Project	3 3 3 3 3 3 3
II.	Writing Courses	9
	Choose three of following seven courses: MPC 611 Public Relations Writing and Planning (3) MPC 614 Writing for the Computer Industry (3) MPC 615 Writing for Business (3) MPC 616 Writing for Popular Publications (3) MPC 617 Writing for Peer-Reviewed Journals (3) MPC 635 Design Principles and Desktop Publishing (3) MPC 663 Grant Research and Writing (3)	9
III.	Electives	8
	Additional approved courses	8
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE WRITING EMPHASIS		38

Student-Designed Emphasis		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	18
	MPC 600 Communication Ethics and the Democratic Process MPC 602 Rhetorical Theory and Practice MPC 610 Professional and Technical Writing MPC 630 Visual Communication MPC 652 Effective Presentations MPC 690 Field Project	3 3 3 3 3 3
II.	Emphasis Courses	12
	Students must complete twelve credit hours from their emphasis. See listing below for suggested student-designed emphases.	12
III.	Electives	8
	Additional approved courses	8
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE STUDENT-DESIGNED EMPHASIS		38

Suggested Models for Student-Designed Emphases

The following models are suggestions for possible emphases. Students can substitute courses not included in these models, or they can design unique programs of their own choosing. All students who elect a student-designed emphasis will work closely with a faculty advisor to ensure that the courses selected represent an emphasis that is pedagogically sound.

Communication Management Emphasis
Four of the following six courses:
MPC 620 Organizational Communication	3
MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation	3
MPC 642 Project Planning and Management	3
MPC 663 Grant Research and Writing	3
MBA 670E Training and Development	3
MBA 677E Development and Future of Management Thought	3

Information Technology Emphasis
Four of the following eight courses:
MPC 614 Writing for the Computer Industry	3
MPC 639 Web Site Planning and Management	3
MBA 593E Telecommunications and Integrated Information Systems	3
MBA 655E Management Support Systems	3
MBA 659E Special Topics in Information Management	3
MBA 675E Database Management	3
MBA 694E Business Systems Analysis and Design	3
MBA 695E Information Systems Planning and Policy	3

Marketing Communication Emphasis
Four of the following six courses:
MPC 611 Public Relations Writing and Planning	3
MPC 620 Organizational Communication	3
MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation	3
MPC 642 Project Planning and Management	3
MBA 510E International Marketing	3
MBA 674E Special Topics in Marketing	3

Multimedia Emphasis
Four of the following eight courses:
MPC 614 Writing for the Computer Industry	3
MPC 635 Design Principles and Desktop Publishing	3
MPC 637 Web Design and Production	3
MPC 638 Digital Image Editing	3
MPC 639 Web Site Planning and Management	3
MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation	3
MPC 642 Project Planning and Management	3
MBA 674E Special Topics in Marketing	3

Graduate Communication Certificates

Graduate certificates are provided as an alternative program of graduate communication study for individuals who meet the following criteria:

Currently possess a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue graduate certification in a specialized area of communication with or without the completion of an MPC degree.
Have earned an MPC degree but wish to update or enhance skills in a particular area.
Are enrolled in the MPC program but desire an additional specialization.

Certificate in Communication Management

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	16
	Six of the following seven courses: MPC 620 Organizational Communication MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation MPC 642 Project Planning and Management MPC 663 Grant Research and Writing MPC 664 Proposal Writing MBA 670E Training and Development MBA 677E Development and Future of Management Thought	3 3 3 3 1 3 3
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE CERTIFICATE IN COMMUNICATION MANAGEMENT (plus relevant prerequisite course work)		16

Certificate in Information Technology

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	16
	Six of the following nine courses: MPC 614 Writing for the Computer Industry MPC 636 Multimedia Systems MPC 639 Web Site Planning and Management MBA 593E Telecommunications and Integrated Information Systems MBA 655E Management Support Systems MBA 659E Special Topics in Management Information Systems MBA 675E Database Management MBA 694E Business Systems Analysis and Design MBA 695E Information Systems Planning and Policy	3 1 3 3 3 2 - 3 3 3 3 3
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE CERTIFICATE IN INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (plus relevant prerequisite course work)		16

Certificate in Marketing Communication

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	16
	Six of the following seven courses: MPC 611 Public Relations Writing and Planning MPC 620 Organizational Communication MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation MPC 642 Project Planning and Management MPC 665 Public Relations Writing for Broadcast MBA 510E International Marketing MBA 674E Special Topics in Marketing	3 3 3 3 1 3 3
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE CERTIFICATE IN MARKETING (plus relevant prerequisite course work)		16

Certificate in Multimedia

Requirement Description		Credit Hours
I.	Required Courses	16
	Six of the following nine courses: MPC 614 Writing for the Computer Industry MPC 635 Design Principles and Desktop Publishing MPC 636 Multimedia Systems MPC 637 Web Design and Production MPC 638 Digital Image Editing MPC 639 Web Site Planning and Management MPC 640 Communication Measurement and Evaluation MPC 642 Project Planning and Management MBA 674E Special Topics in Marketing	3 3 1 3 3 3 3 3 3
TOTAL HOURS FOR THE CERTIFICATE IN MULTIMEDIA (plus relevant prerequisite course work)		16