Integrative Studies - Organizational Communication and Management (MS)
Required Credit Hours/Tuition and Fees
- 36
- Visit the Paying for College website for detailed tuition information
In order to be competitive in this ever-growing global economy, it is important for organizational leaders to have effective communication and managerial skills. A competent manager is cognizant of the importance of an efficient communication system as the building block of strong organizations. In addition to being a source of information for organizational members, communication is a crucial tool for promoting motivation and altering attitudes in order to advance the mission and goals of an organization. Successful managers are equipped to recognize barriers in communication and to strategize and devise preventive ways to avoid those barriers.
Career Outlook
With an integrative studies degree with a focus in organizational communication and management, one can work for profit or nonprofit corporations, government agencies, or set up their own business. Among the career options that may be pursued are event planners, human resources managers, mediators, community relations directors and public administrators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected job growth in this field is roughly 9% through 2024.
Curriculum
Students will take courses in the Departments of Applied Communication Studies and Management and Marketing, according to the master's in integrative studies program requirements:
- 30 credit hours of graduate-level courses, 18 credit hours of which are from the Department of Applied Communication Studies and 12 credit hours from the Department of Management and Marketing
- At least half of the 30 credit hours of coursework must be at the 500 level
- No more than three credit hours of the 30 credit hours of coursework can be independent study
- All students will complete six credit hours of integrative studies thesis or non-thesis capstone work
Required Courses
Management and Marketing
(3) MBA 521 Quantitative Analysis
(3) MBA 522 Decision Making in Organizations
(3) MBA 523 Negotiation and Interpersonal Skills for Managers
One of the following:
(3) MGMT 551 Managing Organizational Change and Innovation
(3) MGMT 570 Seminar in Human Resource Management
(3) MGMT 580 Employment Law for Managers
(3) MBA 533 Leadership, Influence and Managerial Effectiveness
Applied Communication Studies
(3) ACS 500 Seminar in Communication Theory
(3) ACS 501 Communication Research Methods and Tools
(3) ACS 540 Survey of Organizational Communication Research
(3) ACS 541 Seminar in Organizational Culture
(3) ACS 542 Communication Consulting
One of the following:
(3) ACS 550 Seminar in Public Relations
(3) ACS 551 Nonprofit Public relations
(3) ACS 552 Corporate Social Responsibility
(3) ACS 553 Issues Reputation Management
(3) ACS 554 Ethics in Public Relations and Communication Management
(3) ACS 557 International Public Relations
Integrative Studies Capstone Requirements
(1) INTG 500 Proposal Development
(5) INTG 599 Thesis Research or (5) INTG 593 Final Project
Admission Requirements
- Graduate School application and $40 fee
- Official copies of all postsecondary transcripts
- Successful completion of a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment. Applicants may be required to take prerequisites or resolve any deficiencies before classified status is approved.
- Minimum GPA of 3.25
- Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in applied communication studies or a related field will be required to take a theories of communication proficiency exam. A grade of at least 80% on this exam is required.
- A faculty member from applied communication studies who has agreed in writing to serve as a graduate mentor must be identified by the applicant in order to be considered for acceptance into the program. Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Wai Cheah, Dr. Min Liu, Dr. Sorin Nastasia, Dr. Debbie Sellnow-Richmond, Dr. Scott Sellnow-Richmond, or Dr. Sarah VanSlette.
- International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency, minimum requirements are TOEFL (79), IELTS (6.5) or equivalent
- A letter of intent clearly articulating the desired focus areas, the applicant’s academic/career goals, how his/her academic background prepares him/her to undertake the program successfully, and how the program serves his/her goals must be submitted with the application.
Program application materials may be uploaded during the application process, but official transcripts must be sent directly from the school attended, and test scores must be verifiable with the appropriate testing service. Please contact the Office of Graduate Admissions with questions regarding the application submission process at [email protected].
Applicants with a baccalaureate and/or graduate-level GPA between 2.5 and 3.25 may be considered if all the following conditions are met.
- The baccalaureate degree and/or graduate-level work was earned more than four years prior to the application submission
- The applicant provides a written explanation of her/his performance in the baccalaureate degree
- The applicant provides a written explanation of why he/she will be successful in the integrative studies degree program
Review the SIUE Admission Policy for more information.
