Master of Arts in Communication Studies

at Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - West Campus USA

The BA program in biology with an emphasis in the natural sciences examines the interdisciplinary nature of the life and physical sciences, focusing on the ways in which these disciplines intersect. The program's organization and flexibility allows students to simultaneously study another subject outside their major. Students are encouraged to add a minor or concurrent degree in another subject area.

Students gain hands-on experience as they work both in small groups and one-on-one with individual faculty members. Students may participate in cutting-edge scientific research by assisting in faculty research laboratories, or even publish in top journals and present their results at regional and national scientific meetings.

Graduates are prepared for entry-level jobs in research, nonprofit, education and outreach organizations and for other roles in the life sciences. Graduates are also prepared for related graduate programs.

The MA in social technologies is for those interested in the ways new kinds of social data introduce challenges and opportunities to society.

The program combines a thorough grounding in digital social science with the skills needed for engaging in the analysis of social data. This unique combination provides graduates with the ability to understand and contribute to creating ethical social platforms. They are also well positioned to advise institutions, businesses and government agencies on appropriate policies, and to draw on large-scale trace data to help address significant social issues.

The rapid shift toward algorithmic structures of social interaction represents one of the most significant challenges to society, and questions of equity, privacy and autonomy have become a recurring theme running through many modern social problems. These technologies also may provide the keys for addressing substantial social issues. To critically analyze these socio-technical systems requires both technical abilities and an understanding of social theory.

ASU offers an MA in social technologies for those interested in engaging research at the intersection of data and society. It prepares graduates to be leaders in social data science, working with organizations to help them make ethical and effective use of social data, consulting on broader issues of social change and networked technologies, or continuing on to doctoral work in cognate fields.

Students in the program work through a series of courses that provide a grounding in social theory and digital research methods as well as opportunities to apply that knowledge to social issues.

The MA in communication studies is a cutting-edge degree program designed for students who wish to pursue a wide range of today's communication professions.

With special emphases on both advocacy and social technologies as defining themes, students can tailor the program to their personal goals, focusing on topics such as interpersonal, organizational, sport, environmental, social media politics and global or technology-mediated communication.

Students use multiple perspectives to explore a variety of topics and issues in communication.

These include how individuals and collectives participate effectively in personal relationships, organizational settings and public dialogues across cultural contexts, and the impact and effects of media, mediated representations and new technologies. They also learn to use communication strategically to advocate for others.

Graduates are prepared to pursue doctoral work or careers in a variety of communication-driven fields such as public affairs, public relations, employee development, strategic communication, community relations and grassroots movements through exposure to a variety of research methods, theories and practical applications.

Political science is the study of governmental practices, politics and theories. Coursework in the BA program in political science covers American institutions, international relations, political theory and world affairs.

The program helps students gain a basic understanding of the assumptions underlying political science and helps them develop the necessary research skills for analyzing complex sociopolitical issues. In addition to coursework, students learn through internships, service-learning and research opportunities.

Graduates of this program are prepared for work as analysts or aides in local, state or national legislative offices, among other roles. Many graduates go on to law school or graduate programs in political science, social science, urban planning or public administration.

Classes for the nine-month master's in global logistics are offered in a full-time, weekday format. The full-time curriculum, with courses offered during the day, provides specialized knowledge and practical perspectives on global operations, logistics and multicultural approaches, thus preparing graduates for a growing career field. Students in this program have access to world-renowned faculty, motivated classmates and personalized career resources. Students will build a foundation for a growing global field through curriculum developed by one of the leading supply chain management departments in the country.

A recent $15 million investment by the W. P. Carey Foundation in career services provides students with an opportunity to meet with a wide range of employers along with excellent career coaches and the tools to help students thrive in their careers.

As a STEM-designated master's degree, the program allows eligible graduates on student visas access to an Optional Practical Training extension for up to 36 months, helping international students gain additional skills and experience in the U.S.

Data security has become an everyday part of business operations. Protecting key stakeholders and clients is an essential aspect for businesses of all sizes and types.

The BA program in business with a concentration in information security provides students with core business skills as well as the basic critical and technical skills necessary to understand cyber threats, security and prevention in the business setting.

The BA in business with a concentration in sustainability is an innovative, transdisciplinary program that combines the latest trends in business with cutting-edge knowledge of sustainability.

Students in this program complete rigorous courses within the sustainability concentration in addition to the skill and core courses required of all W. P. Carey School of Business majors. Graduates are prepared for positions in a variety of professions in which both business and sustainability play important roles.

The W. P. Carey BS program in management prepares students to become effective managers and team leaders. Students gain theoretical and conceptual knowledge and build critical skills such as:

• Analytical research and problem-solving
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Global applications
• Leadership
• Personal ethics and integrity
• Teamwork

The curriculum includes the fundamentals of the global economy, the world of e-business, ethics, human resource and strategic management and collaborative team skills. Throughout the program, theories and concepts of management and ethical leadership are enhanced by experiencing and testing them in skill-based exercises, case discussions and real-world, team-based project work.

The BA program in history introduces students to a broad span of history that covers the ancient world through the modern period and extends from Europe to Latin America and the United States. In addition to learning about the origins and development of various peoples, ideas and institutions of the past, students engage in the practice of history by learning to conduct research, analyze historical evidence and formulate arguments using historiographical perspectives and methodological approaches.

The pharmacology and toxicology concentration of the BS program in biology provides an emphasis in the biochemical, molecular and physiological components of drug and body interactions.

The degree program emphasizes experiential learning, and all required core courses have laboratories. By learning in an integrative environment that emphasizes the connectedness of the disciplines, students gain a better understanding of larger scientific concepts and they can view these concepts from multiple perspectives. To have a thorough understanding of the interactions of chemicals in the biological system, students study both biology and chemistry and become familiar with chemical interactions at physiological, molecular and cellular levels.

Undergraduates have the opportunity to conduct independent research under the mentorship of faculty members or in internships outside the school.