Bachelor of Arts in Modern Languages with Emphasis in French Interdisciplinary Global Program

at Northern Arizona University - Flagstaff Campus USA

Statistics forms the backbone of a multitude of research endeavors and is essential in the design of experiments and analysis of experimental data—in disciplines old, new, and cutting edge. This non-thesis advanced degree concludes with a comprehensive exam conducted by the student's advisory committee.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Graduates will demonstrate breadth and depth of knowledge of statistics at the graduate level.
  • Graduates will understand a wide range of statistical theory, especially Probability, Mathematical Statistics, and Linear Models, which are central to advanced studies in statistics. This foundation provides the primary mathematical framework for understanding and applying advanced statistical methods.
  • Graduates will understand and be able to apply advanced statistical models and inference methods and how they relate to the core statistical theory.
  • Graduates will demonstrate mastery by successfully completing a comprehensive oral exam covering an approved set of three courses encompassing topics in both theoretical and applied statistics. This exam is administered by a committee of the faculty with expertise in these courses from the Department of Mathematics & Statistics.
• Graduates will demonstrate statistical reasoning skills at the graduate level.
  • Graduates will be able to select data collection methodologies based on relevant scientific questions and practicality constraints.
  • Graduates will be able to choose and implement analysis methods based on the constraints of a study design and the scientific questions of interest.
  • Graduates will be able to assess statistical significance of aspects of a proposed model and interpret  the results in the situational context.
  • Graduates will have the theoretical and applied knowledge to understand and critique new statistical methodology and its relevance to a particular study or scientific problem.
  • Graduates will possess the creativity and intuition to apply known statistical methodology in new situations.
• Graduates will communicate statistics effectively in preparation for careers in industry, with government agencies, or in education.
  • By both written and oral means, graduates will be able to explain statistical methodology, assumptions, and results.
  • Graduates will be proficient in the use of numerical, graphical, and narrative methods for conveying statistical information.
  • By tailoring the level of complexity and detail to the audience, graduates will be able to communicate effectively with statisticians, non--statistician researchers, and the community at large.

The Master of Arts in Applied Sociology prepares students for applying sociological theories, methods and skills in researching and analyzing social lives, behaviors and aggregations, for instance, groups, societies, organizations and institutions, for the purpose of understanding social structures, power, and transformations, and building strategies to solve social problems. The Program expands its scope to both the national and global levels, and puts emphasis on NAU three themes of global learning: diversity, environmental sustainability, and global engagement.

The Program includes three optional concentration areas. First, the Sociology of Health concentration area focuses on the impact of social life, including all its dimensions: political, economic, cultural or otherwise, on rates of morbidity and mortality. This concentration area includes medical sociology as well, where students study patients-practitioners relationships within the context of medical organizations. Second, the Women, Gender and Race concentration area focuses on the social construction of gender and racial identities, as well as their relationships with other social identities, and their shifting positions in social structures of power. Third, the Environment, Sustainability and Globalization concentration area keeps pace with the shifting boundaries of sociology to study the interdependencies of the social, economic and ecological dimensions of life, the emergence, structures and dynamics of the global society, and the massive social consequences that result from environmental changes.

Through these concentration areas, students study a variety of social issues, such as, health inequality, sexuality, racial and ethnic conflicts, environmental justice, global social movements, the network society, sustainable communities, etc.

The B.A. in Comparative Cultural Studies is a 49-58 credit degree whose aim is to provide students with a comparative, integrative and global approach to the study of human culture in its diversity and interconnections. The different emphases in the CCS B.A. degree introduce students to the complexities of diverse human cultures, both past and present; in the process, they develop the skills of analysis, interpretation and communication crucial to both their academic and professional development.

The MA in Communication provides students with advanced skills in communication analysis, problem solving, critical thinking, research, theoretical application, argumentation, and written communication.  Students choose from either the MA in Communication (with no emphasis) or the MA in Communication with an emphasis in Documentary Studies.

The MA in Communication provides a foundation of the basic research methods, theories, and standards of argument in the academic study of communication.  Students explore theories and research in a variety of communicative contexts with an emphasis on the application of concepts, theories, and research to real-world issues.  Students will be able to access, understand, evaluate, and apply research, concepts, and theories.  Students will engage in original research and/or the application of existing research, concepts, and theories to specific situations for the purpose of problem-solving and/or evaluation, including effective message design.  Students will learn the expectations of academic argument in communication as well as how to effectively communicate their findings to diverse audiences.  The MA in Communication (with no emphasis) will be of relevance to working professionals in a variety of fields, educators, activists, and those preparing to pursue a PhD in Communication, Communication Studies, Rhetoric, or related disciplines.

Strategic Communication Emphasis
The Strategic Communication Emphasis will equip you with the strong communication skills, applied experience and in-depth understanding of consumer/audience behavior needed to achieve business communication goals and manage company reputations and retail purchases. The Strategic Communication Emphasis expands on undergraduate studies in public relations, advertising and merchandising, designed to lead to greater leadership opportunities, broader responsibilities and scholarly pursuits in these fields. Jobs related to your degree are available in nonprofit, for-profit and government organizations, academic and entrepreneurial ventures:

Composition Emphasis

• Students develop composition skills preparing them for careers as composers or for further study at the doctoral level.
• Refine music research and writing skills, including the ability to locate, assess, and synthesize a wide range of research materials related to music; create a bibliography; and write effective expository prose on music and related topics.
• Acquire advanced skills for analyzing traditional tonal music, including the ability to create Schenkerian graphs of musical excerpts and pieces.
• Learn advanced methodologies for analyzing post-tonal music, including pitch-class set theory and twelve-tone theory.
• Acquire detailed knowledge of post-World War II music.
• Increase compositional skills, leading to the production of a large-scale musical work as well as a full-length master’s recital featuring the live performances of several original compositions
• Acquire knowledge of music theory pedagogy, including diverse techniques and strategies for teaching musical fundamentals, tonal harmony, and ear training at the high school and college levels.

This undergraduate degree provides a solid foundation for students planning to pursue a variety of accounting careers in industry, government, or public accounting.  Students completing this academic plan may apply for the competitive MBA-ACC program, one of several avenues for a student to complete the 150 units needed for the CPA exam.

The mission of the Public Health Program is to prepare students to promote and protect the health of the public using appropriate processes, concepts, and principles.
 
Public health protects and improves the health of individuals, families, communities, and populations, locally, regionally, and globally. Public health professionals focus on preventing disease and injury by promoting healthy lifestyles. They confront global health issues, such as improving equitable access to health care, controlling infectious disease, and reducing environmental hazards, violence, substance abuse, and injury. Our graduates are prepared to plan, implement, and evaluate educational programs; act as a resource person; administer services; and communicate and advocate for health equity. They pursue graduate degrees in health-related fields and obtain employment in a variety of settings, including government agencies, non-profit organizations, hospitals, schools, and research institutions.

The core of the educational mission of the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice is to provide both undergraduate and graduate students with the theoretical, methodological, and analytical skills to think critically and systematically about the nature of crime, the meaning of justice, and the efficacy of crime control policies and practices.
 
The Master of Science in Applied Criminology is an integrated program of study designed to provide graduate students with the theoretical perspectives, substantive knowledge and practical research skills needed to engage in independent, critical investigation of social justice and criminal justice issues, problems, and policies. The MS degree prepares students for professional employment in applied local, national, and international justice contexts or to pursue further education at the doctoral level.
 
The program’s core courses are designed to ensure that students acquire a graduate-level understanding of advanced theory and methods in criminology, justice system processes, and contemporary policy debates regarding crime and crime control. The graduate curriculum examines justice-related issues from a variety of criminological, social justice, and global perspectives and emphasizes three broad substantive areas of specialization:  transnational crime and justice, communities, health, and justice, and law, policy and social change.  Throughout the curriculum, students are expected to apply their core methodological and theoretical knowledge to analyze real-world justice challenges
 
The applied nature of the MS program is particularly emphasized in the diverse completion options available to students. Depending upon their career goals, our program facilitates experiential learning and the development of subject area expertise via a student designed project focused on research, teaching, or an internship in a justice agency. The opportunity to complete an independent project offers student-centered flexibility while also preparing students for their chosen professional career within the field of criminology. Applied Criminology graduates are critically informed citizens who value diversity and social justice and apply their methodological and theoretical knowledge to advance the cause of justice.

The overall purpose of the Bachelor of Science in Communication Sciences and Disorders program is to provide students with foundational knowledge of the biological, physical, behavioral and cognitive aspects of human communication. Courses cover anatomical and physiological aspects of speech and hearing, development of cognitive and linguistic communicative functions and related disorders, and aspects of professional practice.
 
Students who complete the program will be prepared for graduate studies in speech-language pathology, audiology, speech and hearing sciences, or related disciplines and careers.

The Bachelor of Arts in Political Science degrees provide students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to understand and participate in the political systems of the United States and the world.  This degree provides a broad perspective on experiences, international and domestic, from both theory and practice.

These degrees build a strong foundation in the basic knowledge of the political world, including contemporary political thought and public policies, and enables students to be able to use key concepts and analytical approaches from Political Theory, U.S. Government and Politics, Comparative Politics and International relations.

Building upon this fundamental knowledge, our curriculum ensures that students can define, design, and implement effective research projects in political science.  In addition, they will be able to make clear and effective demonstrations of their work in writing and in public presentations.  Students will also leave this program ready to understand, and be able to meet, the expectations of professionalism and citizenship.  Students in the BA degree will also leave with an ability speak, read, and write in a second language.

Our goal is to train students to be active, engaged, and informed participants in the global system who cannot only understand the world around them but also shape and influence it.