Mar 28, 2024  
Fitchburg State University 2016-2017 Graduate Catalog 
    
Fitchburg State University 2016-2017 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Interdisciplinary Studies: Applied Communication Concentration, CAGS


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Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)


General Philosophy

Fitchburg State University’s CAGS programs are designed to meet well-defined career needs of professionals who have earned an appropriate master’s degree and who wish to attain greater competency in a combination of areas of study within one of the major CAGS fields offered.

General Description of Program

Each student’s CAGS program is planned under the direction of an advisor and is built on the academic background, professional position, and career goals of the student. CAGS programs consist of an integrated core curriculum, supervised professional practice, an internship, and elective courses.

General Program of Study

Upon acceptance into the program, the student’s plan of study is developed with and approved by an advisor, who works with the student over the course of study. A minimum of 30 approved graduate credits is required to complete the CAGS with the following restrictions:

  • CAGS courses may not repeat work previously accomplished by the student in other graduate degree study
  • CAGS credits must be earned in graduate-level courses
  • 6000-level professional development courses may not be taken or transferred in as part of the CAGS program of study

Details regarding the CAGS curricula, including information about required and elective courses, may be found in the specific CAGS program description which follows.

CAGS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Applied Communication Concentration


Advisor

Viera Lorencova, PhD

Program Requirements

Students accepted into this program must have completed a Master’s Degree in Communication or a closely related field of study. Students who enter this program as part of the CAGS in Interdisciplinary Studies work with an advisor from the graduate program in Applied Communication to develop a plan of study. The plan of study must be completed before the student enters their first class. The CAGS consists of an integrated core curriculum, and completion of a capstone experience. Students in this program can choose between practicum involving action research or thesis to complete the capstone requirement.

The integrated core curriculum consists of:

  • Two common required courses, Advanced Communication Research Methods and Advanced Seminar in Applied Communication
  • Students cannot enroll in the Advanced Seminar in Applied Communication until all other course work is completed.
  • Twenty-four advanced graduate credits (7000-level and above) in Applied Communication
  • A six-credit capstone experience. Students choose either practicum or thesis that cannot begin until a passing grade is earned on the comprehensive examination that is given in the Advanced Seminar in Applied Communication.

The students must complete 36 semester hours, which includes six semester hours of required course work, a sixhour capstone and twenty-four semester hours in Applied Communication. Before the student begins the capstone they must complete all course work and pass the comprehensive examination in the Advanced Seminar in Communication.

As part of the capstone program experience, students collaborate with faculty members from the MS in Applied Communication program. Students choosing the thesis option follow the Fitchburg State University Thesis guidelines.

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply for enrollment in the CAGS in Interdisciplinary Studies Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:

  • Official transcript of a master’s degree from a regionally accredited institution. Master’s degree must be in communications or a closely related field.
  • MAT/GRE/GMAT exams are not required.

Program of Study


Total Credits for Degree: 36 credits


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