The Applied Communication Track within the Master of Science in Applied Communication degree program familiarizes students with various communication paradigms and approaches that can assist practitioners and scholars alike in making sense of communication phenomena. A graduate of this program develops research skills leading to effective analysis and interpretation of communication events, and has the ability to explore interaction on many cultural levels. The program provides students with the knowledge to pursue careers in a broad range of media, business, public, and educational organizations, or to continue their graduate education beyond the master's level. Graduates may assume positions in a variety of settings such as corporate communication, communication and information services for not-for-profit and governmental agencies, international relations, training and development, marketing research, and academic careers.
Program Description
Courses are designed to prepare students to assume leadership roles in organizations, their community, or in the academy where they can promote the effective and ethical practice of communication.
- Courses examine the relationship between theory and effective communication practice in interpersonal, organizational, public, and mass communication contexts.
- The program is designed for students who want to develop an advanced understanding of communication theories and the application of communication theory.
- The curriculum is designed for the student who wants to further their education through an intensive educational experience in small highly participative classes and in one-to-one work with faculty.
To apply for enrollment in the Master of Science in Applied Communication program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the Graduate Admission section of the catalog as well as:
- Two or more years of experience with communications/media technology
- A departmental interview and portfolio presentation may be requested
For more information please contact Dr. John Chetro-Szivos.
Recent M.S. Theses
Courses are designed to prepare students to assume leadership roles in organizations, their community, or in the academy where they can promote the effective and ethical practice of communication.
- Timothy Card, "The Usefulness of Brainstorming in Innovative Group Problem Solving," chaired by John Chetro-Szivos, Ph.D.
- Clair Degutis, "Lyric outlines and memory maps: Creating a coherent identity through narrative development in Blog space," chaired by John Chetro-Szivos. Ph.D.
- Jennifer LeBoeuf, "Exploring the Grammar of Dating: A CMM Analysis of the Women’s Perspective in the 21st Century," chaired by John Chetro-Szivos, Ph.D.
- Donisius Omosa, "Workplace Interaction in Formal and Informal Contexts," chaired by Randy Howe, Ed.D.
Program Requirements
The Master of Science in Applied Communication, Applied Communication Track, requires 36 semester credit hours as follows:
Required Core Courses
Foundations of Communication Studies
Organizational Communication
Interpersonal Communication
Applied Rhetoric
Legal and Ethical Issues
Research Traditions
Total Required Courses 18 S.H.
Elective Courses
Select 4 electives from:
Intercultural Communication
Persuasion in Context
Technology Forecasting
Political Communication
Training and Development
Documentation Design
Total Elective Courses 12 S.H.
Practicum or Thesis 6 S.H.
Total Credits for degree: 36 S.H.
Faculty
- Dr. John Chetro-Szivos, program chair
- Dr. George Bohrer
- Dr. Robert Carr
- Dr. Randy Howe
- Dr. Viera Lorencova
- Dr. Wayne Munson