Program Overview

Program Overview

The Global Studies BA / Strategic & Digital Communication MS program is an interdisciplinary, intercultural, and interactive program that provides students with four concentrations: media, arts and cultures; justice and human rights; business, economics, and development; and health and sustainability. This accelerated program enables academically qualified students to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree, graduating sooner than they would in traditional programs.

Admission Requirements

• Incoming freshmen and current students are eligible to apply for this program.
• Students who are already matriculated may apply after completing a minimum of 90.0 credits but no more than 120.0 credits.
• Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA and maintain this GPA throughout the program.
• Already matriculated applicants must provide:
  • The name of two faculty references who can speak to the applicant's academic qualifications and preparedness for graduate studies.
  • A writing sample consisting of a written response to a series of questions about the applicant's interest in the program.
  • A brief 2-3-minute video in which the applicant introduces himself/herself to the admissions committee and discusses their career goals.
• Applicants who already received preliminary acceptance in the accelerated degree program as freshmen should finish the application process after completing a minimum of 90.0 undergraduate credits but no more than 120.0 credits with a GPA of 3.0.

Degree Requirements

• Minimum Required Credits: 225.0
• Co-op Options: One Co-op (Five years)
• Calendar Type: Quarter
• Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Science (MS)
• The program requires 45.0 credits and prepares students for careers in a wide range of professional activities relating to communication in both media environments and communication contexts that are characterized by advanced digitization.

Program Structure

• The program has a robust core curriculum consisting of seven courses (21.0 credits), providing a strong foundation in theoretical approaches to communication, ethics, and media/communication policy.
• Students use four Communication electives (12.0 credits) to increase communication skills or to further develop areas of specialization.
• An additional four free elective courses (12.0 credits) can be taken in Communication or in other departments across the university.
• Students are expected to complete the equivalent of a six-month, full-time, non-credit bearing internship.

Concentration Options

• Global Media, Arts, and Cultures Concentration
• Global Business, Economics, and Development Concentration
• Global Health and Sustainability Concentration
• Global Justice and Human Rights Concentration

Concentration Requirements

Global Media, Arts, and Cultures Concentration

• ENGL 325: Topics in World Literature
• LING 102: Language and Society
• PHIL 305: Ethics and the Media
• Select one of the following: ARTH 301, ARTH 302, ARTH 303, ARTH 304, ARTH 312, ARTH 313, ARTH 314, ARTH 315, ARTH 316, ARTH 318

Global Business, Economics, and Development Concentration

• ECON 201: Principles of Microeconomics
• ECON 202: Principles of Macroeconomics
• PHIL 301: Business Ethics
• Select one of the following: INTB 332, INTB 334, INTB 336

Global Health and Sustainability Concentration

• PBHL 101: Public Health 101
• Select one of the following: PBHL 303, PSCI 334, SOC 244, SOC 340
• Choose one of the following English Classes: ENGL 300, ENGL 302, ENGL 370
• Choose one of the following Ethics courses: PBHL 309, PHIL 321, PHIL 340

Global Justice and Human Rights Concentration

• ENGL 360: Literature and Society
• PHIL 335: Global Ethical Issues
• PSCI 150: International Politics
• Select one of the following: PSCI 120, PSCI 229, PSCI 351, PSCI 353, SOC 330

Distribution Options

• Students must complete at least 15.0 distribution credits from the approved list for each concentration.

Electives

• Students can select up to 12.0 credits of graduate-level electives (500-799) in the following subject areas: AADM, AAML, ACCT, BUSN, CCM, CHP, COM, CRTV, CW, DIGM, ECON, EDAM, EDHE, EDLT, EDUC, ENTP, ENVP, ENVS, EOH, HMP, HRM, LING, MGMT, MKTG, MUSL, NPM, ORGB, PBHL, PLCY, PROJ, PRST, RMER, SCRP, SCTS, SMT, TVMN.

Total Credits

• The total credits required for the program range from 225.0 to 240.0.