Master of Arts in Communication Studies

at Kaplan Group - Arizona State University - West Campus USA

The BS program in computational forensics is a multidisciplinary degree program that encompasses areas of physical, biological and social sciences with an additional focus on statistics and computation.

Students investigate specific forensic problems using statistics, computing and mathematics with the main goal of advancing their forensic science knowledge and capabilities. Students study and develop the quantitative and computational methods that assist basic and applied research efforts in forensic science, establish or prove scientific basis in investigative procedures and support forensic examiner casework. Through modeling, computer simulations and computer-based analysis and recognition, students gain an in-depth understanding of the forensic science discipline, the scientific method and the systematic approach to forensic science.

Political science is the study of governmental practices, politics and theories. Coursework in the BA program in political science covers American institutions, international relations, political theory and world affairs.

The program helps students gain a basic understanding of the assumptions underlying political science and helps them develop the necessary research skills for analyzing complex sociopolitical issues. In addition to coursework, students learn through internships, service-learning and research opportunities.

Graduates of this program are prepared for work as analysts or aides in local, state or national legislative offices, among other roles. Many graduates go on to law school or graduate programs in political science, social science, urban planning or public administration.

The BS in population health program integrates the fields of public health and health care delivery to teach students about the factors that impact health.

Students learn how social determinants of health, access to care and infrastructure influence the health of defined groups, as well as the roles of stakeholders and how to work across systems to improve health. Students benefit as the field of population health requires training in disciplines fundamental to the College of Health Solutions, including biomedical informatics, economics, social determinants of health, program and community assessment, program planning, and health care delivery.

The multidisciplinary program features experiential learning, including student engagement as citizen scientists, to better understand population health. Students can customize their learning by focusing on environmental health systems, food systems, mental health systems, compliance in the health care industry, health education programs, the design and improvement of population health systems, or health informatics.

The BA program in business with a concentration in health care prepares students to operate within the challenging and dynamic health care industry by helping them develop skills and acquire knowledge through one of its five specialized tracks --- health care analytics, communication, coordination, innovation and delivery.

Graduates possess the ability to understand different stakeholders in complex environments, and they go on to pursue careers in health care management and leadership.

Students in the BA program in interdisciplinary arts and performance engage with faculty in collaborative investigation of many disciplines, preparing for the complex and changing world through current approaches to artistic and aesthetic research.

Students in this major engage in practical and theoretical studies of visual, sonic, performance, game and interactive arts to become versatile artists. With skill sets preparing them for professional and entrepreneurial opportunities, they can tap into evolving marketplaces and expanding fields of arts research and practice.

Students who major in interdisciplinary arts and performance receive extensive preparation for careers as artists, performers and creative professionals, and they develop solid foundations useful for teaching and scholarship.

The BA program in conflict resolution introduces students to theories and practices that enable them to understand, address and transform conflict while dealing with challenges both at the micro and macro levels in professional and cross-cultural contexts and in individual and collective interactions.

Taking an interdisciplinary approach, while being grounded in communication, graduates of the program are ready to pursue further education or careers in several diverse areas.

Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to the law. The concentration in forensic psychology within the BS program in psychology combines general training in psychology with specialized coursework in criminal law, criminal behavior, the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders and legal decision-making.

When courts are faced with cases in which a psychology-related question arises, they may turn to psychologists and ask for help with the case. For example, psychologists might assist the court in understanding a criminal's mental state at the time of a crime or whether a particular jury might have been biased against a defendant based on his or her race. This is the realm of forensic psychology.

This program teaches students about the various roles of psychologists in the legal system and helps them discover which roles they might like to pursue through careers in mental health, criminal justice or through graduate training.

The Bachelor of Science degree differs from the BA degree in that it requires two additional lab courses and advanced statistical training. The Bachelor of Science program provides a greater depth of knowledge in the biological and neuroscientific aspects of psychology that are becoming increasingly important both for research and clinical forensic practice. In addition, the advanced statistical training further prepares students for careers and graduate training involving psychological research, clinical research and legal policy research.

Students in the BS program in pharmacology and toxicology study how foreign materials react with human bodies. To have a thorough understanding of the interactions of chemicals in the biological system, students in the program study both biology and chemistry, and they become familiar with chemical interactions at physiological, molecular and cellular levels.

The W. P. Carey BS program in management prepares students to become effective managers and team leaders. Students gain theoretical and conceptual knowledge and build critical skills such as:

• Analytical research and problem-solving
• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Global applications
• Leadership
• Personal ethics and integrity
• Teamwork

The curriculum includes the fundamentals of the global economy, the world of e-business, ethics, human resource and strategic management and collaborative team skills. Throughout the program, theories and concepts of management and ethical leadership are enhanced by experiencing and testing them in skill-based exercises, case discussions and real-world, team-based project work.

The study of human impact on the earth's ecosystems and resources has become increasingly important over the past 20 years. The BA program in environmental science is dedicated to finding solutions to the challenges posed by climate change.

This degree program is founded on established environmental basics, ensuring that students are well-versed in biological study including molecular, organismal and ecosystem biology. Students gain competency in chemistry, statistics and geographic information systems. Rounding out student preparation, the program includes a focus on the management and communication skills necessary in various environmentally-specific careers.

The Bachelor of Arts in environmental science prepares graduates to find innovative and sustainable solutions to today's critical environmental challenges, including pollution and climate change. The world-renowned faculty conduct research across the globe and engage students in the process of creating new scientific knowledge that, in turn, impacts a rapidly changing world.