In an increasingly complex world, the need for effective communication is a must. Communication education at the junior high and high school level helps students become better communicators.
 Career Opportunities
The bachelor of science degree in communication education at Pittsburg State University can open the door to a rewarding career in teaching and directing programs at the secondary school level. It leads to teaching certification in Kansas, but graduates may apply for certification in other states.
As more and more school districts adopt communication courses as part of their basic requirements, the need for well qualified communication teachers rises dramatically. PSU communication education graduates are qualified to teach:
- speech communication (public address, intra- and interpersonal, small group, and oral interpretation)
- mass media
- drama
- forensics and debate
Our Program
Students preparing to teach gain a strong background of knowledge through a broad-based curriculum. Many additional skills are developed to prepare students for the varied role of a teacher, including interpersonal, public and group communication; directing plays and musicals; and coaching programs of forensics and debate. Our program provides practical experience through lab sessions, classroom observations, a special course in teaching techniques and a semester of supervised teaching in a secondary school.
SECONDARY TEACHING SEQUENCE
I. Core Requirements:
COMM 199 Introduction to Communication Careers -1
COMM 200 Introduction to Mass Communication - 3
COMM 307 Advanced Speech Communication - 3
COMM 450 Small Group Communication - 3
COMM 629 Theories of Human Communication - 3
COMM 699 Communication Careers in Society - 2
TOTAL - 15
II. First Teaching Option:
COMM 205 Performance Studies - 3
COMM 254 Acting Studies - 3
COMM 274 Introduction to Audio and Video Production - 3
COMM 295 Theatre HistorY - 3
COMM 309 Forensic Practices (Debate Theory) - 2
COMM 309 Forensic Practices - 1
COMM 363 Technical Production I - 3
COMM 367 Oral Interpretation of Literature - 3
COMM 544 Stage Direction - 3
COMM 730 Interpersonal Communication - 3
III. Professional Education Requirements:
CURIN 261 Explorations in Education - 3
PSYCH 263 Developmental Psychology - 3
PSYCH 357 Educational Psychology - 3
COMM 479 Techniques for Teaching Speech - 3
SSLS 510 Overview of Education for Exceptional Students - 3
CURIN 520 Middle and Secondary Reading - 3
Admission to Teacher Education (Sophomore)
Admission to Professional Semester (Junior)
Professional Semester (Senior)
CURIN 458 Methods and Curriculum - 3
CURIN 462 Secondary and Middle Level Education - 2
CURIN 464 Foundations of Measurement and Evaluation - 2
CURIN 480 Supervised Teaching in the Secondary School - 3
CURIN 482 Supervised Teaching in the Secondary School - 5
COMM 579 Supervised Student Teaching and Follow-Up of Teachers - 2
TOTAL - 35
See admission into professional education requirements and
admission to the professional semester at the Office of Teacher Education in the School of Education http://www.pittstate.edu/edsc/teachered/
Course Descriptions for a synopsis of each course. |
