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

Applied Communication Concentration Requirements

The Applied Communication concentration offers students insights into practices that can make them more effective communicators, decision-makers and leaders in relational, professional and community settings. Armed with the latest applied communication theory and research, students will learn how to critically analyze key challenges and opportunities for personal growth in interpersonal and organizational contexts, identify areas for change and development, and apply effective communication strategies that advance just and equitable outcomes.

Our interdisciplinary graduate seminars investigate current applied communication topics through various perspectives, including communication and technology, work/life communication and wellness, inter-organizational collaboration for social impact, diversity and leadership, and campaigns for social change.

This concentration will be of interest to those seeking to further their careers in fields such as human relations, marketing and communications, community engagement, internal and policy communications, 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 three core courses: 12
CMNS 500*
FOUNDATIONS IN GRADUATE COMMUNICATION STUDIES
4
CMNS 510*
APPLIED COMMUNICATION:THEORIES AND CASES 4
MCS 502
MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES 4

* Please email gradcom@depaul.edu for more information on this course.

Methods Requirement (choose one)

Course Title Quarter Hours
Students must take one methods from the two options below: 4
CMNS 581
QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
4
CMNS 582
QUANTITATIVE RESEARCH METHODS
4

Applied Communication Concentration Electives

Students in the Applied Communication Concentration must take a minimum of 4 Applied Communication electives (16 credit hours). Topics courses can be taking multiple times for credit as long as the specific topic differs each time.

Course Title Quarter Hours
16
CMNS 512*
TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION
CMNS 530
INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CMNS 541
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
CMNS 545
COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
CMNS 548
TEAMS, DIVERSITY & LEADERSHIP
CMNS 551*
COLLABORATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
CMNS 573
WORK/LIFE COMMUNICATION & WELLNESS
CMNS 580*
DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING IN COMMUNICATION
PRAD 594
CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

* Please email gradcom@depaul.edu for more information on this course.

Media and Popular Culture Electives

Students in the Applied Communication concentration must take a minimum of one Media and Popular Culture elective (4 credits)

Course Title Quarter Hours
4
MCS 501
FILM AND MEDIA THEORY
MCS 505*
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA
MCS 506*
SEMINAR IN MEDIA LITERACY
MCS 520
TOPICS IN MEDIA STUDIES
MCS 523
TOPICS IN FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES
MCS 530
NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE
MCS 541
AUDIO DOCUMENTARY
MCS 542
TOPICS IN PRODUCTION
MCS 550
FANDOM AND ACTIVE AUDIENCES
MCS 575
DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS

* Please email gradcom@depaul.edu for more information on this course.

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 two electives can be an outside elective from a graduate program outside of Communication and Media.

Course Title Quarter Hours
12
MCS 501
FILM AND MEDIA THEORY
MCS 505*
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN MEDIA
MCS 506*
SEMINAR IN MEDIA LITERACY
MCS 520
TOPICS IN MEDIA STUDIES
MCS 523
TOPICS IN FILM AND MEDIA STUDIES
MCS 530
NEW MEDIA AND CULTURE
MCS 541
AUDIO DOCUMENTARY
MCS 542
TOPICS IN PRODUCTION
MCS 550
FANDOM AND ACTIVE AUDIENCES
MCS 575
DIGITAL MEDIA ETHICS
CMNS 512*
TOPICS IN APPLIED COMMUNICATION
CMNS 530
INSTRUCTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
CMNS 541
ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION AND CULTURE
CMNS 545
COMMUNICATION AND TECHNOLOGY
CMNS 548
TEAMS, DIVERSITY & LEADERSHIP
CMNS 551*
COLLABORATION FOR SOCIAL IMPACT
CMNS 573
WORK/LIFE COMMUNICATION & WELLNESS
CMNS 580*
DATA-DRIVEN DECISION MAKING IN COMMUNICATION
PRAD 594
CAMPAIGNS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE

* Please email gradcom@depaul.edu for more information on this course.