Graduate students in the Communication Masters Degree Program are encouraged to become involved in activities sponsored by the Department as well as the discipline:
Graduate Student Advisory Board:
The Graduate Student Advisory Board is comprised of graduate students in the Communication Masters Program who are at all levels of graduate experience and at least two faculty members from the Department. Student participation on the Board is currently on a volunteer basis. The Board will plan several student and student/faculty events during the year and provide input to the Program Coordinator and Graduate Faculty regarding the graduate program.
Research Colloquium:
Once each semester, the Communication Department sponsors a Research Colloquium. Graduate students are highly encouraged to attend. A research colloquium invites several faculty members and graduate students to present their original research projects and field questions from the audience. Food and beverages are provided. These events are usually well-attended, interesting, and excellent opportunities for faculty and students to gain exposure to the acedemic community. Look for announcements each semester.
National and Regional Conventions:
Students are encouraged to attend and develop papers for presentation at national and regional conventions such as the National Communication Association and Central States Communication Association held each year in different cities across the nation. Most conventions have graduate student sections where one’s work can be presented and formal and informal feedback is provided. Graduate faculty instructors will announce when conventions are accepting papers, when conventions are being held, and other important information. Attendance at conventions is an excellent way to learn more about the Communication discipline and academe in general.
Graduate Research Grants:
Graduate students may apply for graduate research grants to help fund projects such as the presentation of conference papers, Applied Communication Projects, or Theses. Currently, the deadline for submission is October 15 and the amount requested should not exceed $1000. Funds can be applied for up to two semesters in advance of being used. For more information, visit the UWW Research and Sponsored Programs website at http://www.uwworsp.org/
Graduate Student Speaker Bureau:
The communication department is fortunate to be able to draw upon our graduate students’ expertise for the purpose of enhancing undergraduate Communication classes. Graduate students are encouraged to lead sections of classes, giving students teaching experience to add to professional resumes.