Master of Arts in Communication

at Pittsburg State University USA

The Department of Physics at Pittsburg State University was founded in 1962 and has been dedicated to the outstanding teaching of undergraduate and graduate physics students ever since. Our faculty members are trained in a wide variety of physics-related fields and have industrial and research laboratory experience. We pride ourselves in getting to know our students and helping them through their years of academic growth at PSU.

Professional Sequence
The Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics with a Professional Emphasis features core courses and advanced training in theoretical physics along with electives. This combination prepares students for advanced training in graduate school, where they will seek a specialty.

Our geography students acquire superior skills in critical thinking and analysis, dynamic communication, computer usage, and analysis in a number of software areas. We strive to keep students on the cutting edge of technology. These technological skills, critical thinking skills, and the overall applied nature of a geography education provide students with abilities that are in demand at public and private agencies. Students also gain the expert knowledge and training they need to pursue admission to graduate programs, if that is part of their career plan.

Geography programs are part of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences department. The programs provide high-quality instruction to students in ways that emphasize active learning, problem solving, and critical thinking through transformative experiences.

International Studies - Emphasis
The Bachelor of Arts Degree with an Emphasis in International Studies, is a multi-disciplinary program, incorporating a variety of disciplines across colleges and departments within the Pittsburg State University community. Its core is Political Science, History, Geography, and Sociology with substantial contributions made by Economics, Management and Marketing, and Communication. In addition, a variety of other disciplines, such as Family and Consumer Sciences, English, and the Fine Arts provide important contributions. The major is designed to give students a core body of knowledge and basic skills necessary to live and work successfully in an increasingly interconnected world. The development of students' foreign language skills is a key component of the program. Students are encouraged to enroll in internships and practica.

The Department of Engineering Technology is housed in the Kansas Technology Center on the Pittsburg State University  campus. Engineering Technology Programs are comprised of elements of the technological spectrum requiring scientific and engineering knowledge plus the operational methods and skills devoted to achieving practical purpose in support of product producing industries.

The Kelce College of Business offers a Master of Business Administration degree with an accounting emphasis. The Accounting MBA is a professional program designed to prepare future business executives for the workforce.

The Department of Physics offers a Master of Science Degree with a Major in Physics. Students in this degree program will work one-on-one with an advisor to design a program of study that matches their individual career goals. Elective courses, subject to approval of the department, are usually selected from physics, chemistry, mathematics, and/or biology. Incoming students are required to take a diagnostic examination on undergraduate physics during the first semester.

Social Work is a practice-based profession which seeks to meet the basic needs of all people. Social workers help people at the individual, family, group, and community levels.  Social workers practice in a wide variety of settings, with licensed positions at the bachelor level, master level, and clinical level.

The Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Social Work (BSW) prepares students for generalist practice in settings such as (but not limited to) child welfare, mental health, addictions, probation/parole, disability, health care, older adults/end of life, schools, and more. The BSW also prepares students for graduate school. Students who have a BSW from an accredited program are generally eligible for advanced standing in master of social work (MSW) programs. This means that after earning a BSW, a student may achieve an MSW in one additional calendar year.

A minor is not required for the social work major, but students frequently choose minors in Psychology, Public Health, Criminology, or Youth and Adolescence.

Social Work
The Bachelor of Science Degree with a Major in Social Work (BSW) prepares students for generalist practice in a variety of settings. It also prepares students for graduate school. Students who have a BSW from an accredited program are generally eligible for advanced standing in master of social work (MSW) programs. This means that after earning a BSW, a student may achieve an MSW in one additional calendar year.

The mission of PSU’s Social Work Program is to prepare bachelor level social workers to utilize the knowledge, skills, and values of the social work profession in order to enhance the lives of individuals, families, groups, and communities and to promote social and economic justice locally, nationally, and globally.  

To that end, the PSU Social Work Program aims to prepare students for:

• Generalist practice at all levels of the social environment and across the lifespan
• Utilization of the professional self which includes adherence to the Code of Ethics, professional demeanor, effective communication skills, self-awareness, and self-care
• Critical examination of and contribution to research, policies, and practices
• Living and working in a diverse environment
• Promoting human rights and social justice
• Graduate education
• Licensure

Our geography students acquire superior skills in critical thinking and analysis, dynamic communication, computer usage, and analysis in a number of software areas. We strive to keep students on the cutting edge of technology. These technological skills, critical thinking skills, and the overall applied nature of a geography education provide students with abilities that are in demand at public and private agencies. Students also gain the expert knowledge and training they need to pursue admission to graduate programs, if that is part of their career plan.

Geography programs are part of History, Philosophy and Social Sciences department. The programs provide high-quality instruction to students in ways that emphasize active learning, problem solving, and critical thinking through transformative experiences.

Geographic Information Systems - Emphasis
The Geographic Information Systems degree emphasis (GIS) combines computer-based technological application, data management, modeling, and statistical analysis with the explanatory powers of maps, spatial distribution, and digital display. It involves cutting-edge computer technology and advanced skills that are in high demand in many professions. GIS skills are highly desirable for many types of employment, including community planning, environmental planning, and environmental management.

The Department of Psychology and Counseling has placed its graduates in schools, businesses, agencies and hospitals throughout the region, as well as provided teachers for two and four year colleges. The department enjoys a strong relationship with area mental health agencies, with many private and governmental establishments acting as training sites for students, and using department faculty and advanced graduate students as consultants. PSU is the only school within a 100 mile radius that provides graduate training in counseling, psychology and school psychology. Additionally, no other university in Kansas has an integrated psychology and counseling department, allowing the department to offer comprehensive, in-depth programs in each area and providing students with the opportunity to experience the best in both disciplines.

Psychology and Legal Issues - Emphasis
As part of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, the Psychology and Legal Issues concentration area prepares graduates to work in the legal system in jobs such as probation and parole officers or law enforcement personnel, and to prepare students for law school.

The Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology was designed for students who want to pursue a career in a psychology-related field immediately after graduation. Historically, most careers in psychology and counseling require graduate training. However, there are a number of careers that do not.

The Department of Accounting & Computer Information Systems offers baccalaureate and masters degree programs. Baccalaureate programs are offered in Accounting and Computer Information Systems. Minors are offered in Accounting, Computing, Fraud Examination, and Internal Auditing. A graduate program is available leading to the Master of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in Accounting.

Computer Information Systems
The major in Computer Information Systems involves the study and analysis of the design of an information gathering and processing system using computers. The typical graduate finds employment in business, industry, or Government, as a programmer, programmer/analysts, information technology support specialists or various other positions related to operating and managing a modern information technology installation. Some choose to continue their study as a graduate student. With experience or further study, a graduate may advance to positions such as systems analyst, software engineer, project manager, database administrator, or manager of information systems.

The School of Construction offers a comprehensive sequence of courses in Environmental and Safety Management. This broad-based program exposes students to several aspects of environmental and workplace safety.

Environmental and Safety Management program is on the list of national board-approved programs. A student earning an environmental and safety management degree from a board-approved institution is automatically qualified for the Associate Safety and Health Manager (ASHM) credential offered by the ISHM.