The Applied Communication concentration offers students insights into practices that can make them more effective communicators, decision-makers and leaders in relational, professional and community settings. Armed with the latest applied communication theory and research, students will learn how to critically analyze key challenges and opportunities for personal growth in interpersonal and organizational contexts, identify areas for change and development, and apply effective communication strategies that advance just and equitable outcomes.
Our interdisciplinary graduate seminars investigate current applied communication topics through various perspectives, including communication and technology, work/life communication and wellness, inter-organizational collaboration for social impact, diversity and leadership, and campaigns for social change.
This concentration will be of interest to those seeking to further their careers in fields such as human relations, marketing and communications, community engagement, internal and policy communications, or to prepare for a PhD program in communication related fields.
Course Requirements
The MA in Communication and Media with a concentration in Applied Communication requires a total of 12 courses, 48 credit hours, for completion. Students must complete the following requirements:
- Three core courses
- One methods course
- Four Applied Communication electives
- One Media and Popular Culture elective
- Three graduate level electives
Applied Communication Concentration Core Courses
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must take the following core courses: | ||
| CMNS 500 | FOUNDATIONS IN GRADUATE COMMUNICATION STUDIES | 4 |
| CMNS 510 | APPLIED COMMUNICATION: THEORIES AND CASES | 4 |
| MPOP 502 | MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES | 4 |
Applied Communication Concentration Methods Requirement
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CMNS 581 | QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | 4 |
| or CMNS 582 | QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS | |
Applied Communication Concentration Elective Courses
Students must take a minimum of 4 Applied Communication electives (16 credit hours). Topics courses can be taken multiple times for credit as long as the specific topic differs each time.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Select four Applied Communication electives: | 16 | |
| TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION | ||
| INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE | ||
| COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY | ||
| TEAMS, DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP | ||
| COLLABORATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT | ||
| WORK/LIFE COMMUNICATION AND WELLNESS | ||
| DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING IN COMMUNICATION | ||
| COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | ||
Media and Popular Culture Elective
Students in the Applied Communication concentration must take a minimum of 1 Media and Popular Culture elective (4 credits).
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students must take 1 Media and Popular Culture elective: | 4 | |
| FILM AND MEDIA THEORY | ||
| DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA | ||
| MEDIA LITERACY | ||
| TOPICS IN MEDIA STUDIES | ||
| TOPICS IN GLOBAL FILM & MEDIA | ||
| NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE | ||
| AUDIO DOCUMENTARY | ||
| TOPICS IN PRODUCTION | ||
| FANDOM AND ACTIVE AUDIENCES | ||
| DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS | ||
General Electives
Students in the Applied Communication Concentration must take a minimum of 3 general electives (12 credits). These electives can come from any of the Media and Popular Culture concentration electives, any of the Applied Communication concentration electives, and up to 2 electives can be an outside elective from a a graduate program outside of Communication and Media. Outside electives must be approved by advisor or graduate program director.
| Course | Title | Quarter Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Students in the Applied Communication Concentration must take 3 general electives. | 12 | |
| FILM AND MEDIA THEORY | ||
| DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA | ||
| MEDIA LITERACY | ||
| TOPICS IN MEDIA STUDIES | ||
| TOPICS IN GLOBAL FILM & MEDIA | ||
| NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE | ||
| AUDIO DOCUMENTARY | ||
| TOPICS IN PRODUCTION | ||
| FANDOM AND ACTIVE AUDIENCES | ||
| DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS | ||
| TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION | ||
| INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT | ||
| ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE | ||
| COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY | ||
| TEAMS, DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP | ||
| COLLABORATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT | ||
| WORK/LIFE COMMUNICATION AND WELLNESS | ||
| DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING IN COMMUNICATION | ||
| COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE | ||