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Perhaps the best way to describe the Speech Communication program is to answer the two most commonly-asked questions about who we are and what we do.

Common Question #1: "Is Speech Communication about making speeches?"

Yes and No. Our students learn to develop, present, and analyze speeches, and  they use these skills in courses across our curriculum. Speech  Communication is not only about making speeches, however.  It is about the  study of human interaction in its many forms. Our students study  communication in contexts ranging from interpersonal to cross-cultural. They  learn to acquire skills ranging from effective listening to argumentation. We  want them to gain a sense of communication history ranging from classical  rhetoric to contemporary semiotics. They can participate in student  organizations such as the Speech Communication Club and the Communication  Alumni Association. Our program is concerned with theories and skills,  research and application, thinking and doing. We want our graduates to be  top-notch communicators in every sense of the term. 

Common Question #2: "What can I do with a degree in Speech Communication?"

Just about anything. Speech Communication is a broad, generalist program that  prepares students for a variety of careers and opportunities. Many of our  graduates hold positions in public relations, human resources, sales, and  training. Others have pursued and obtained graduate degrees in law,  education, theology, and, of course, communication. In fact, several of our  former students are now teaching communication courses in organizations and  educational institutions in the area, including at NKU. 

                           For more information, contact:
                           Russell F. Proctor II, Ph.D.
                           SPE Program Coordinator
                           Office: Landrum 127 
                           Tel: 859-572-6489 

Speech Major Checklist 

(For students entering NKU in Fall 2000 or later)

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Students majoring in Speech must satisfactorily complete 39 hours of study as outlined below. Students must earn a grade of C or better in each of these 39 semester hours of study, and must take SPE 101 (Principles of Speech Communication) as part of their general studies requirements.

Core Courses (21 semester hours)

____ SPE 220 Interpersonal Communication
____ SPE 230 Small Group Communication
____ SPE 303 Organizational Communication
____ SPE 340 Strategies of Persuasion or SPE 310 Argumentation
____ SPE 355 Cross-Cultural Communication
____ SPE 370 Advanced Public Speaking
____ SPE 430 Communication Theories or SPE 410 Rhetorical Theories

Elective Courses (12 semester hours)

Speech majors must take 12 semester hours of elective courses selected in consultation with their advisor. Up to six of these semester hours may be taken in Journalism or RTV courses; otherwise, all elective credits must be in Speech courses. Courses taken for general studies credit may not be used as elective courses for the major.

____ Elective 1 ________________________________ (insert name/number of course)
____ Elective 2 ________________________________ (insert name/number of course)
____ Elective 3 ________________________________ (insert name/number of course)
____ Elective 4 ________________________________ (insert name/number of course)

Writing Course (3 semester hours)

One writing-intensive course must be taken from the list below. Other writing-intensive courses may be substituted if approved by the Speech faculty. Students may not use the writing course for the Speech major to complete requirements for their minor, area of concentration or second major. [Only ONE course must be checked below.]

____ ENG 340 Business Writing
____ JOU 130 Newswriting I 
____ ENG 391 Persuasive Writing
____ OST 311 Written Communication Systems 
____ RTV 260 Broadcast Writing 

Computer Course (3 semester hours)

One computer-intensive course must be taken from the list below. Other computer-intensive courses may be substituted if approved by the Speech faculty. Students may not use the computer course for the Speech major to complete requirements for their minor, area of concentration, or second major. [Only ONE course must be checked below]

____CSC 130 Introduction to Computer Applications
____IFS 105 Introduction to Business Computing
____JOU 321 Publication Skills
____OST 325 Electronic Publishing/Presentation