College of Communication > Academics > Communication and Media > Graduate Program > Communication and Media (MA) > Applied Communication Concentration

Applied Communication Concentration Requirements

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
CMNS 501
COMMUNICATION IN CULTURAL CONTEXTS
CMNS 512
TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION
CMNS 523
GENDERED COMMUNICATION
CMNS 530
INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CMNS 541
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
CMNS 545
COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
CMNS 548
TEAMS, DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP
CMNS 551
COLLABORATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
CMNS 573
WORK/LIFE COMMUNICATION AND WELLNESS
CMNS 580
DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING IN COMMUNICATION
PRAD 594
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
MPOP 501
FILM AND MEDIA THEORY
MPOP 505
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA
MPOP 506
MEDIA LITERACY
MPOP 520
TOPICS IN MEDIA STUDIES
MPOP 523
TOPICS IN GLOBAL FILM & MEDIA
MPOP 530
NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE
MPOP 541
AUDIO DOCUMENTARY
MPOP 542
TOPICS IN PRODUCTION
MPOP 550
FANDOM AND ACTIVE AUDIENCES
MPOP 575
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
MPOP 501
FILM AND MEDIA THEORY
MPOP 505
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA
MPOP 506
MEDIA LITERACY
MPOP 520
TOPICS IN MEDIA STUDIES
MPOP 523
TOPICS IN GLOBAL FILM & MEDIA
MPOP 530
NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE
MPOP 541
AUDIO DOCUMENTARY
MPOP 542
TOPICS IN PRODUCTION
MPOP 550
FANDOM AND ACTIVE AUDIENCES
MPOP 575
DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS
CMNS 501
COMMUNICATION IN CULTURAL CONTEXTS
CMNS 512
TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION
CMNS 523
GENDERED COMMUNICATION
CMNS 530
INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CMNS 541
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
CMNS 545
COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
CMNS 548
TEAMS, DIVERSITY AND LEADERSHIP
CMNS 551
COLLABORATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
CMNS 573
WORK/LIFE COMMUNICATION AND WELLNESS
CMNS 580
DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING IN COMMUNICATION
PRAD 594
COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

Content displayed from this DePaul University catalog page.