Department of Communication and Journalism

About
Special Requiirements and Information
Degree Options
Internships and Graduate Assistantships
Graduate Degree Programs Information
Faculty

Ross Hall, Room 223

Phone: (307) 766-3122
Web site: www.uwyo.edu/COJO
Department Chair: Justin Stewart

About

The Department of Communication and Journalism provides a broad range of professional and research courses, offering a sound interdisciplinary academic program for students who plan careers in communication or media. Courses are comprised of writing, speaking and analyzing messages; forms of interpersonal communication; media effects and audiences’ interpretations of media messages and images. Degrees are granted in communication and journalism with academic specialties in each of the degree areas. Students are given academic preparation in communication skills (media writing and public speaking), coupled with opportunities for professional experience in their majors. The department also offers minors in public relations, communication, journalism, and marketing communication.

Special Requirements and Information

A cumulative minimum grade point average of 3.000 (A=4.000) on previous coursework is required for full admission.

The GRE is not required for admission to the graduate program.

For international graduate students “whose native language is not English”, the minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 540 (76 iBT). The minimum acceptable IELTS score is 6.5. “The minimum acceptable Duolingo score is 110. International students must also provide proof of financial support (see UW Admissions for more details).

All graduate student applications, both domestic and international, must provide a writing sample of their work, whether that is a research paper, media publication, or another example of scholarly work. Please contact the director of graduate studies with any questions about the writing sample.

Student Organizations

Professional Organizations. The department has a chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, communication honorary.

Student Activity. Within the department, student representatives participate on faculty committees where they assist in forming policies of the department.

The Branding Iron. The daily campus newspaper is independently managed by students at UW. It provides professional experiences for reporting, editorial, photojournalism, publication design and advertising.

The Owen Wister Review. The literary and arts magazine is independently managed and produced by university students, it features poetry, short stories, essays, photography and artwork.

Frontiers Magazine. The magazine is independently managed by UW students. Containing general interest content, the publication offers students opportunities to improve their professional skills in feature writing, in-depth reporting, photography, layout, design, advertising and marketing. Like the Branding Iron and Owen Wister Review, Frontiers is published under the auspices of UW Student Publications.

Degree Options

The department offers courses leading to baccalaureate degrees in communication and journalism, as well as being an instrumental part of the Agricultural Communications degree. If a student wishes to double major in any of these degrees, only six credits will double count for each major. Students majoring in the department must earn a grade of C or better in departmental required courses. Students may not take a course for S/U credit to satisfy requirements of the major.

Minors

The department offers minors in communication, journalism, marketing communication, and public relations. All minors must have a 2.00 minimum in minor classes. If a student is a communication, journalism or Agricultural Communications major, only six credits can double count for the major and the minor.

Graduate Study

The Department of Communication and Journalism offers graduate work leading to the master of arts degree in communication (either thesis or non-thesis) with emphasis on human communication or media communication.

The program offers coursework and study in rhetorical, critical/cultural, and social scientific perspectives and methodologies. The program is designed to be flexible such that students can examine questions that relate to their specific interests in human communication and/or mediated communication. Areas of interest include but are not limited to 1) communication processes in media (e.g., journalism, social media, advertising, public relations) about various issues such as politics, race and ethnicity, science, health, law and ethics, and international relations; 2) communication processes in human relationships (e.g., in interpersonal, small group, and organizational settings) about various issues such as culture, diversity, education, technology, science, and politics; and 3) communication as an agent of stability and change in diverse social systems.

Internships and Assistantships

Journalism majors are required to complete internships in their field. Communication majors are encouraged to complete internships in their field. In addition to working with the Branding Iron, students can complete internships with newspapers; advertising and public relations agencies; non-profit organizations; businesses, professional and university sports organizations; governmental agencies; and many others. Note: a maximum of 6 hours in COJO 3480 and COJO 4990 count as fulfillment of the requirements for a major. Up to 12 hours will count toward graduation as upper-division hours.

Graduate Degree Programs Information

Faculty

Professor:

CHIA FANG (SANDY) HSU, B.A. Chinese Culture University 1995; M.A. Washington State University 1997; Ph.D. Washington State University 2002; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 2009, 2003.

Associate Professors:

LI LI, B.A. Hebei Normal University 2001; M.A. China University of Mining and Technology 2004; M.A. Ohio University 2009; Ph.D. 2012; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 2019, 2012.

CINDY J. PRICE SCHULTZ, B.A. University of Sioux Falls 1989; M.S. South Dakota State University 1992; Ph.D. Southern Illinois University 2000; Associate Professor of Communication and Journalism 2005, 1999.

Assistant Professor:

SHANE EPPING, B.A. University of Chicago; M.A. Washington University, St. Louis; M.A. University of Missouri; Ph.D., University of Missouri.

HYE SOO NAH, B.A. Hankuk University, 2008; M.A., University of Missouri, 2011; Ph.D., University of Illinois, 2023.

Senior Lecturers:

BEAU BINGHAM, B.S. Idaho State University 2000; M.A. New Mexico State University 2002; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2007, 2003.

JUSTIN STEWART, B.A. University of Wyoming 2003; M.A. 2005; Senior Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2017, 2005.

Associate Lecturers:

MITZI STEWART, B.A. University of Wyoming 2007; M.A. 2015; Assistant Lecturer of Communication and Journalism 2019.

Assistant Lecturers:

MACK SERMON B.S. Boise State University 1992; M.A. Notre Dame of Maryland 2017; Lecturer of Communication and Journalism, Director of Debate 2024-25.

Emeriti:

Michael R. Brown, B. Wayne Callaway, William C. Donaghy, John W. Ravage, Kenneth L. Smith

Programs

Major

Minor

Graduate

Communication, M.A.