Applied Communication, Master of Arts (0504)
Program Coordinator
Jie-Young Kong, jieyoung.kong@wku.edu, (270) 745-6578
The Master of Arts in Applied Communication equips students with the skills and knowledge to excel in today’s dynamic, communication-driven world. Designed for working professionals and those seeking to advance their careers, our fully online program combines theory and practice to address real-world communication challenges. Students will develop expertise in organizational communication processes, designing communication strategies for diverse audiences, and evaluating the effectiveness of communication in achieving specific goals. The curriculum focuses on improving communication processes, fostering engagement, and practicing ethical persuasion to prepare graduates to navigate complex professional environments. Key courses include Organizational Communication, Digital Communication for Organizational Success, Organizational Belonging and Engagement, and Health Communication Campaigns. Through hands-on projects, case studies, and a capstone portfolio, students will gain professional communication skills and knowledge to lead in diverse workplace settings, including corporate, nonprofit, healthcare, education, and government sectors. Whether advancing in their current role or transitioning into a new field, graduates of the M.A. in Applied Communication will be equipped to captivate, collaborate, and lead with confidence.
Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)
This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.
Program Admission
Program admission is based on a comprehensive evaluation of an applicant's file.
Applicants should submit:
- Undergraduate transcripts reflecting all undergraduate studies and an earned undergraduate degree with a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
- Letter of intent detailing:
- academic and/or professional experiences,
- goals in pursuing graduate studies in communication,
- specific areas of communication the applicant is interested in enhancing.
Graduate Studies Admission
Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate Studies admission requirements.
Degree Requirements (31 hours)
Students must complete COMM 505 with a grade of "B" or higher within their first 6 hours of COMM Electives. Additionally, students should take COMM 598 only after completing at least 12 hours of COMM Electives, but not before.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (4 hours): | 4 | |
| Introduction to Applied Communication & Research | ||
| Applied Communication Portfolio | ||
| COMM Electives (15 hours): | 15 | |
| Please note that a limited number of these courses are offered in a single academic year. | ||
| Health Communication | ||
| Organizational Communication | ||
| Health Communication Campaigns | ||
| Communication for Global Organizations | ||
| Organizational Persuasion | ||
| Organizational Belonging and Engagement | ||
| Digital Communication for Organizational Success | ||
| Applied Organizational Communication | ||
| Intercultural Communication Strategies | ||
| Independent Study in Communication | ||
| Graduate Internship in Communication | ||
| Non-COMM Electives (12 hours): | 12 | |
Please note that only BA and BDAN courses are offered as bi-term courses, while all others are semester-long courses. | ||
| Contemporary Business Analytics | ||
| Data Management | ||
| Predictive Analytics | ||
| Visualization and Decision Making | ||
| Health Care Organization and Management | ||
| Strategic Management & Marketing of Health Services | ||
| Instructional Design Foundations | ||
| Systematic Instructional Design | ||
| Improvement Analysis in the Workplace | ||
| Special Topics in Instructional Design 1 | ||
| Management of Instructional Systems | ||
| Training Design and Development | ||
| Distance Education Opportunities and Challenges | ||
| Trends and Issues in Instructional Design | ||
| Multimedia Design | ||
| Practicum in Instructional Design 1 | ||
| Advanced Marketing | ||
| Contemporary Issues in Sales | ||
| Market Research and Consumer Insights | ||
| Community Organizing in Public Health | ||
| Public Health Foundations and Practice | ||
| Health Behavior Theory | ||
| Issues in Nonprofit Administration | ||
| Nonprofit Grant Writing and Fundraising | ||
| Fiscal Administration in the Nonprofit Sector | ||
| Nonprofit Practicum 2 | ||
Many courses with the same prefix can count toward a 12-credit-hour certificate program, which students can pursue alongside their master's degree. 3 | ||
| Total Hours | 31 | |
- 1
Restricted to students admitted to the Instructional Design Certificate (0418) program.
- 2
Restricted to students admitted to the Nonprofit Administration Certificate (0463) program.
- 3
Data Analytics, Certificate (1753), Instructional Design, Certificate (0418), Marketing and Sales, Certificate (1786), Nonprofit Administration, Certificate (0463). For more information, contact the graduate advisor.