Master of Science in Media Studies

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

This program, which is held within SIUE's School of Education, Health and Human Behavior, is intended for students who seek master's-level training appropriate for clinical work with primarily adult clients. This training often leads to employment in organizations providing clinical psychological services (e.g., community mental health agencies, hospitals, mental health facilities) or continued education in doctoral training programs. The clinical psychology program in the Department of Psychology is a full-time program only, with most courses offered during the day in seminar rooms and clinical settings.

What can I do with a degree in Clinical Psychology?
Many of our graduates enter doctoral programs in clinical psychology, counseling psychology or other fields, either immediately after graduation or after some time in the field. Those who enter the workforce immediately after graduation have obtained positions in psychiatric hospitals, research institutions and various types of clinical agencies.

Sociologists are interested in changing the world. But, we do so by systematically studying society rather than using our biases or assumptions. Once we understand the larger social forces that influence our own behavior and that of others, we can create policies, organizations, and even families that benefit the majority of people rather than the powerful few.

At SIUE, we focus on application. Students in the Department of Sociology participate in hands-on experiences so they can apply what they learn in their classes. Students pursuing general sociology work in communities helping gather data and provide suggestions on how to make those communities stronger. Diversity and social justice students complete internships in nonprofit organizations learning to write grants and help groups find resources. Students specializing in employment relations complete internships in organizations where they help uncover how to make workers more committed and productive. Through systematically gathering information from different groups, sociology can be a powerful tool for the betterment of communities and organizations.

Diversity and Social Justice
The specialization option in diversity and social justice prepares students for work in social movement/nonprofit organizations that focus in the area of gender/sex, sexuality, race, environment, class, disability, and other areas where injustices occur. The goal is to apply sociological knowledge to understanding theories for why social inequalities occur and for constructing logical and practical solutions for such inequalities.

How does a statistician design an experiment to test a new drug? What is an efficient algorithm to solve a differential equation, and when does it work? How do you determine a fair price for an annuity? Given a complex network of nodes and edges, what is the shortest path from one vertex to another? How can you teach problem solving in a diverse high school classroom?

These are only some of the questions to be explored in our five undergraduate study options in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. In the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE, we have a faculty-to-undergraduate major student ratio of five to one, so our students receive personalized attention from faculty recognized for outstanding teaching and excellent research.

What can I do with a degree in Math?
Professionals holding positions in the mathematics field as mathematicians, statisticians, and actuaries consistently rank their careers at the top of surveys on job satisfaction and security. According to The Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook in these fields remains strong, and growth is projected at 25% over the next 10 years.

Applied Mathematics
A concentration in applied mathematics focuses on using mathematical theories to solve real-world problems, such as those related to structural stability, chemical interactions or wave propagation. Applied mathematics encompasses the use of probability theory, numerical and data analysis, modeling, algorithm development, and simulations to explore the connections between mathematics, science, and our environment.

Applied mathematics is used extensively in the fields of physics, geology, engineering and technology. Several emerging career paths have been identified by the Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics, including bioinformatics, materials science, computer animation and digital imaging, finance, climatology, and ecology/environmental organizations.

The Master of Marketing Research (MMR) program in the School of Business is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and is designed to prepare individuals with diverse backgrounds for careers in marketing research and to meet the needs of business, government or nonprofit organizations for competent marketing research professionals. The MMR program at SIUE consistently boasts 100% job placement within three months of graduation, and 95% of all students receive significant financial assistance, including full tuition waivers.

The MMR graduate will be well prepared to practice marketing research and to make substantial contributions to the marketing research profession. The curriculum combines coursework involving a balance of theoretical studies and applications through projects with emphasis on the role of research and the effectiveness of marketing decisions within organizations. Most courses in the MMR program are offered in a flexible, evening/hybrid format.

Undergraduate courses in speech-language pathology and audiology within the Department of Applied Health provide students with a scientific background for understanding communication disorders. Students acquire knowledge in speech and hearing science, normal processes and the development of speech, language and hearing. Students also study disorders of speech, language and hearing, and review assessment methods and procedures in communication disorders.

The field of speech-language pathology and audiology is broad, and there are many opportunities to further support and expand students’ experiences. In the School of Education, Health and Human Behavior at SIUE, students are encouraged to pursue minors and take elective courses that will establish a strong science and liberal arts background. Complementary minors include psychology, linguistics, foreign language and health science, among others. This diverse background provides students with a competitive edge in graduate school and in the workforce.

What can I do with a degree in Speech-language Pathology and Audiology?
Many of our students choose to continue their education and pursue a graduate degree in speech-language pathology and audiology, which leads to certification and the opportunity to practice as a speech-language pathologist or audiologist.

With a projected growth rate of 19% through 2022, certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists are in high-demand and are employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, community clinics, schools, private practice, colleges and universities, state and federal agencies, rehabilitation centers, and nursing homes. Some certified speech-language pathologists and audiologists enter public-school settings, while others establish private practices or become affiliated with physicians.

The Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) allows students who have an undergraduate degree in areas other than education the opportunity to earn a master's degree, as well as gain certification to teach special education to students in kindergarten through age 21. Students can earn state licensure and a master's degree in just two years. The MAT program provides integrated coursework focused on diverse learners, as well as field experiences that require theoretical and practical knowledge application.

Offered through the Department of Teaching and Learning, the MAT prepares candidates for Learning Behavior Specialist I licensure, which requires teachers to build a knowledge base to identify and intervene with students who exhibit a wide range of disabilities, including learning disabilities, cognitive impairments, autism, social/emotional disabilities and physical disabilities or other health impairments. Students with undergraduate degrees in teacher education are not eligible for this program.

The business administration program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) International, and provides a broad education in the functional areas of modern business, the behavior of organizations and decision-making processes, as well as analytical methods for solving basic problems affecting commerce and business practices. Our students find that the combination of knowledge acquisition and skill development is appealing and rewarding. Students in the School of Business will also learn about the ethical and global issues facing today’s businesses, while refining their communication skills and abilities. They will also learn to make leadership decisions based on quantitative data using analytical tools.

What can I do with a degree in Business Administration?
Graduates of the business administration program are well prepared to become business professionals who understand the environment in which business operates, and can analyze how business operations are impacted by economic, social, political and legal environments. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in administration or management of business firms, in banking and insurance, and in federal, state, and local government agencies, as well as a variety of other settings where knowledge of business functions and practices is required. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in business and financial operations occupations is projected to grow 5% through 2029.

Human Resource Management
The human resource management (HRM) specialization provides students with the general and technical knowledge and skills for entry-level positions and careers in the personnel or human resource management function of organizations. Courses emphasize both the general theory of HRM, the expanding role of HRM in organizational effectiveness, the development and effective use of human resources in organizations, and the technical areas of selection, compensation, labor relations, training, and performance appraisal. The specialization prepares students for professional careers in a wide variety of organizations.

The Department of Civil Engineering offers a curriculum that provides students with a solid background in mathematics, physical science and civil engineering. Elective courses are available in environmental, geotechnical, structural, transportation and water resources engineering. Laboratory facilities in the School of Engineering are available for conducting basic environmental analyses, hydraulic experiments, material tests, soil mechanics procedures and transportation studies. Baccalaureate graduates are prepared to assist public and private employers, or to pursue graduate study.

What can I do with a degree in Civil Engineering?
Civil engineers work in a wide range of fields in both technical and managerial positions. Job opportunities can be found in consulting companies, industry and government agencies. Civil engineers work in offices and on job sites. They design, build, inspect, maintain, rehabilitate, and preserve buildings, bridges, treatment systems and roads—all the essential infrastructure for society. Due to the nature and importance of the profession, civil engineers are always needed.

At SIUE, we take our students out into the world and bring the world to our students. Our program curriculum includes subject areas focusing on the languages, literatures, cultures and histories of diverse regions and countries. Our K-12 teacher certification program is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (CAEP/ACTFL).

Language learners are brought together in a variety of settings including classroom, language lab, study abroad destinations, language conversation hours and student organizations. While offering opportunities to study many different languages from around the world, we provide a balance between delivering courses to students majoring in foreign languages and literature, and contributing to general education course requirements. Study abroad opportunities are offered in countries all around the world.

In addition to our concentration areas in French, German and Spanish, language courses are offered in Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Italian, Latin and Yoruba. Interdisciplinary minors are available in African studies, Asian studies, classical studies, European studies and Latin American studies.

What can I do with a degree in Foreign Languages and Literature?
Increasing diversity in the United States requires more professionals have diverse language skills and cultural awareness. Students graduating with knowledge of one or more foreign languages will have a competitive edge in today’s high level of globalization in the world economy. Some recent graduates from the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature hold positions with companies such as Alloy Holdings, Boeing, Express Scripts, Deloitte Tohmatsu, Anheuser-Busch, the AIDS Foundation and Wells Fargo.

The early childhood education program in the Department of Teaching and Learning leads to initial teacher licensure in Illinois to work with children birth through second grade, as well as a non-licensure option to work in infant/toddler and preschool settings that do not require teacher licensure. The program addresses national standards set by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation and the National Association for the Education of Young Children, as well as state standards set by the Illinois State Board of Education. The department offers quality programs that connect learned theory to practical experiences in schools while keeping classes small and providing personal attention.

What can I do with a degree in Early Childhood Education?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the education field is expected to grow 12% through 2022, and teacher education programs at SIUE have an exceptional record of preparing highly effective early childhood, elementary, middle level, special education and secondary education teachers. Our graduates also pursue careers as parent educators, child development specialists, child service agency workers, child and family advocates, juvenile justice officers, and hospital play group directors, just to name a few.