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Applied Communication Studies at SIUE

The Department of Applied Communication Studies, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers a program leading to the Master of Arts in applied communication studies, with specializations available in corporate and organizational communication, health communication, interpersonal communication, or public relations.

The graduate program in applied communication studies provides students with a broad curriculum, designed to deepen their understanding of communication theory and their ability to analyze, generate and apply communication research, as well as to enhance their knowledge and skills necessary for their development as leaders across an array of communication professions.

Areas of Emphasis

Corporate and Organizational Communication

Health Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Public Relations

Program Format

The program can be completed through a mix of traditional daytime courses and online courses.

Career Opportunities

Graduates with a master's degree in applied communication studies are qualified for careers in business, industry, nonprofit and governmental settings, as well as in higher education (at the community college level). Mastery of communication theory, research methods and application strategies is particularly relevant for students seeking careers in fields such as management, training and development, sales, advertising, public relations, community relations, intra- and inter-organizational communication, consulting, fundraising, event organizing, community health relations, communication training in health organizations, and human resources. Recent graduates of our program have successfully secured positions at St. Louis Community College, John A. Logan College, various public relations and communication management agencies in Illinois and the greater St. Louis area, Para quad, Challenge Unlimited and Purina.

For students wishing to pursue a PhD, the emphasis of the program on theory and research, as well as the opportunity to teach independently, makes them strong candidates for doctoral programs. Recent graduates have been admitted to PhD programs at top institutions such as the University of Kentucky, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and Michigan State University.