Learn More and ApplyApplied Communication Concentration, Communication & Media (MA)

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The Applied Communication concentration empowers students to become effective communicators, decision-makers and leaders in professional and community settings. Equipped with the latest applied communication theory and research, students will learn how to critically analyze complex issues and actively engage with real-world communication challenges in interpersonal and organizational contexts. By learning to identify opportunities for change and development in multiple relational and professional contexts, students will become proactive agents of change, proficient in applying effective and persuasive communication strategies that advance just and equitable outcomes in their personal lives, workplaces, and communities. 

Students will investigate current applied communication topics through various perspectives and contexts in our graduate seminars, including gender, health communication, technology, work/life communication and wellness, inter-organizational collaboration for social impact, diversity and leadership, and campaigns for social change. 

Students in the Applied Communication concentration may have a diverse range of career opportunities, such as campaign coordinator, community engagement coordinator, health communication specialist, human resources specialist, internal and policy communication specialist, nonprofit communication director, social media manager, 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 500FOUNDATIONS IN GRADUATE COMMUNICATION STUDIES4
CMNS 510APPLIED COMMUNICATION: THEORIES AND CASES4
MPOP 502MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES4

Applied Communication Concentration Methods Requirement

Course Title Quarter Hours
CMNS 581QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS4
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
COMMUNICATION IN CULTURAL CONTEXTS
TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION
GENDERED 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 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
COMMUNICATION IN CULTURAL CONTEXTS
TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION
GENDERED 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