
Communication Studies
Master of Arts
“Communication consistently ranks among the top skills that employers seek” (Morreale & Pearson).
Overview
The master’s program in communication further equips you with the communication and leadership skills necessary for a wide range of careers. You’ll explore and develop the communication skills necessary for professional success.
Through practical experience and communication theory you’ll learn how to interact in various social situations and with a wide variety of people.
The program prepares you to excel in organizational communication and gives you the tools to succeed wherever God leads you.
Entrance Requirements
All students pursuing the master of arts in communication are required to complete an interview. This interview is used to evaluate your background and determine your potential as a graduate student.
Program
BJU’s master of arts program in communication combines both academic and practical aspects into your studies. You’ll explore quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and learn how to conduct both types within organizations.
You’ll have the option to conduct traditional graduate research through an academic thesis, or participate in an applied graduate project, which gives you practical experience through the development of a consulting document for an organization that you’re working with.
You’ll have the opportunity to choose from a variety of electives, including Nonverbal Communication, Intercultural Communication and Conflict Management, so that you can tailor your program to your research interests and professional goals. You’ll also gain an understanding of leadership, specifically in the areas of organizational culture, change and decision making.
You’ll learn advanced principles of organizational communication and applied communication strategies for managers and executives. In addition, your studies at BJU will prepare you to be an effective communicator in every part of your life: career, family, local church and community.
Faculty
At BJU you’ll study under our highly qualified faculty, many of whom have PhDs in the areas of communication and leadership from universities such as University of Kansas, University of Illinois, Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and University of Nebraska.
Faculty also have many years of corporate experience and currently serve as business consultants, trainers and mediators.
Learning Experience
Learn from the Professional Experience
In Assessment Methods in Communication, partner with a corporate client to conduct a communication audit, assess client strengths and weaknesses, and deliver an oral and written report of recommendations to the client.
Communication Associations
Throughout your time as a graduate student, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a number of conferences sponsored by the National Communication Association (NCA), the Southern States Communication Association (SSCA), and the Carolinas Communication Association (CCA). Past graduate students have presented their research at CCA.
Career Support
BJU offers students a variety of ways to network with employers and organizations. A multitude of job opportunities are posted each year on Career Central, our online job board. In addition, more than 60 businesses and 150 Christian schools/mission boards/Christian organizations come on campus to recruit students through on-campus interviews and job/ministry fairs.
Career Services also helps students by holding seminars on resume preparation and interview techniques.
Success
Graduate Awards
Tina Lacock was presented the Mary E. Jarrard Award for Excellence in Student Scholarship for her top graduate paper Training with Flexibility: An Exploration of Trainer-Client Relationships Through the Lens of Relational Dialectics.
Beth Ann Paris Labadorf (2019) had her paper Bilingual Language Accommodation: A Qualitative Study published as a Spotlight on Debut Scholarship in the 2019 Carolinas Communication Annual.
Courses/Objectives
The following courses are required:
- Advanced Organizational Communication
- Assessment Methods in Communication
- Introduction to Graduate Studies
- Leadership & Communication Management
- Qualitative Research Methods in Communication
- Quantitative Research Methods in Communication
- Strategic Public Relations
9 credits of coursework must be selected from the following:
- Applied Communication Research I
- Applied Communication Research II
- Communication Training & Development
- Conflict Management
- Intercultural Communication
- Nonverbal Communication
- Special Topics in Communication: Crisis Communication
- Special Topics in Communication: Strategic Narrative
- Special Topics in Communication: Study Abroad
Program Objectives
Each student will:
- Design and execute a research project using appropriate research methodologies.
- Critique multiple theoretical perspectives of human communication.
- Evaluate communication practices in organizational contexts.