Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

at Global University Systems (GUS) - Webster University - St. Louis Campus USA

The bachelor of arts (BA) degree with a major in music is designed for a broad understanding of the music discipline through the study of performance, music theory and music literature. The BA program allows a student to investigate diverse areas of music within a flexible curricular framework.

All students in the BA music degree program must complete a senior thesis or lecture/recital.

The film studies major is designed to provide students with a comprehensive theoretical study of film. Students develop an understanding of film history and aesthetics, as well as critical approaches to the study of film. Upper-level courses focus on in-depth analysis of film genres, filmmakers or international cinema. Film studies courses move from general survey to specific, in-depth studies of a genre, filmmaker or theory.

The public relations major combines a strong base in academic study with opportunities to test concepts through projects with actual clients. Writing proficiency is a necessary element of the major, as writing and knowledge of target audiences form the basic foundation of good public relations.

Students learn theories and gain hands-on experience in creating strategic information programs, internal communications plans, media relations and special events as they build their professional portfolios using all available formats of media (print, video, radio and television, and social media, digital and electronic applications).

Students learn from practicing professionals who are their professors, lecturers, mentors and clients, bringing real-world substance to the major. Internships augment the experience.

Learning Outcomes
Successful graduates of this program will be able to:

• Apply research practices and methodologies to gather information that informs public relations target audience analysis and organizational public relations problem solving and decision making.
• Create public relations plans that use defined goals, measurable objectives, strategies, tactics and evaluations.
• Create, package and edit public relations message content and distribute it through appropriate media to select target audiences of business and non-profit organizations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of public relations plans in meeting their defined goals and objectives.
• Conduct themselves with professionalism in project management, client relationships, portfolio development, presentations and work relationships.

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) in psychology with an emphasis in mental health is designed to proved an understanding of how cognitive, behavioral, personality and social factors are involved in mental health and illness. Students who have successfully completed the degree will be prepared to pursue a variety of graduate and career opportunities within mental health-oriented fields (e.g. counseling, nursing, psychology, social work).

Students graduating with a bachelor of arts (BA) in psychology with an emphasis in mental health will need to pursue a graduate degree before they are able to obtain professional licensure. Students are encouraged to check entrance requirements for any post-graduate programs prior to finishing their BA at Webster in the event they need to take additional coursework.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Describe the major concepts, theoretical perspectives, empirical findings and historical trends in psychology.
• Implement the use of scientific reasoning to interpret psychological phenomena and demonstrate the ability to interpret, design and conduct basic psychological research using statistical analyses.
• Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice and apply those standards to build and enhance interpersonal relationships locally and globally.
• Demonstrate effective writing, exhibit effective presentation skills and interact effectively with others.
• Discuss the occupational pursuits available in a variety of settings given their psychological knowledge, skills and values.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in chemistry is designed to offer students a thorough grounding in the important areas of modern chemistry. Students are instructed in the theories and applications of organic, inorganic, analytical, physical and biochemistry. The program includes significant laboratory work, allowing students to become proficient in the skills necessary to succeed in a chemical career. Students earning the BS degree will be qualified to work in industrial, government and academic laboratories. In addition, some students, upon earning the BS pursue admission to graduate school, medical or dental school, health-related careers or other careers that might be enhanced by possession of a chemistry degree.

The human services curriculum is designed to prepare students for professional careers in human and social service agencies. The curriculum incorporates interdisciplinary local and global perspectives and knowledge, which facilitate the interpretation, analysis, synthesis and communication of human services concepts, theories and skills.

Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

• Analyze the scope of social and human conditions that promote or inhibit effective human services delivery systems, policies and outcomes.
• Identify core human services ethics, values, systems and skills.
• Evaluate policy or process recommendations to improve the functioning of human service agencies and interventions.
• Apply current research-based knowledge, theories, skills and ethics in a human services context.

The BA in interactive digital media is a versatile and career-focused production-based degree program that gives students the creative problem solving skills to build a variety of interactive experiences and push web-based enterprises to the next level. Students apply user-centered design principles, professional media production techniques and web-based programming languages to develop websites, apps, interactive exhibits and casual games.

The management (BA) with an emphasis in marketing prepares students for a broad spectrum of careers in marketing, including branding, product development, advertising, digital marketing and customer relationship management. Students learn how organizations create value through the various marketing activities: customer behavior, pricing, promotion, product development, distribution and marketing research.

Learning Outcomes

• Analyze, understand and evaluate how legal, social, economic and global issues affect business.
• Integrate key theories to manage people, processes and resources in a diverse organization.
• Use appropriate tools and technology to critically analyze and interpret key business information.
• Apply concepts regarding ethics and corporate responsibility and how they impact managerial decisions.
• Build upon ambiguous and incomplete information to draft, support and defend innovative solutions to complex managerial challenges.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how to identify and utilize relevant information in order to make effective marketing decisions.
• Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to make and defend decisions regarding the various marketing mix elements for value creation in a way that reflects the needs and characteristics desired for organizational success and meaningful relationships among and between stakeholders.
• Students will demonstrate personal skills (i.e. ethics, teamwork, effective communication, critical thinking) which are important keys to having a successful career in marketing.
• Students will be able to demonstrate an understanding of mutually interdependent relationships of all the major functional areas of a business enterprise. 

This curriculum is designed for individuals who are seeking a graduate degree with a broad general management and leadership perspective. The MA in management and leadership is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

Learning Outcomes
Graduates of the management and leadership program will be able to:

• Demonstrate proficiency with group dynamics, collaboration, interpersonal relations and leading individuals, teams and organizations.
• Analyze and organize proficient solutions for complex business problems and demonstrate logical reasoning and idea generation for making effective business decisions.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the functional areas of business, such as finance, accounting, marketing operations and human resources, as well as the capacity to synthesize and apply this functional knowledge.
• Construct solutions to management problems using facts, concepts, principles and analytical techniques, quantitative skills and theories used in the study of management.

The master of arts (MA) in international relations enables students to analyze the complexities and processes involved in world politics and international affairs. Coursework provides exposure to the key subfields of the discipline and relevant issues such as globalization, human rights, humanitarian action and economic development. The program can help prepare students to compete for work with a governmental agency, an intergovernmental organization, a nongovernmental organization, or a multinational corporation. This program is also recommended for students planning to pursue a PhD or an academic career at another institution.

The degree requires satisfactory completion of 27 credit hours of the INTL curriculum and 9 credit hours of graduate electives for a total of 36 credit hours.

Learning Outcomes
Students who complete this program will be able to:

• Demonstrate a working knowledge of several subfields of the international relations discipline.
• Demonstrate strong research skills.
• Critically analyze international events and issues.
• Apply theories of international relations.
• Demonstrate effective written communication skills.