Bachelor of Arts in History, Specialization in Applied Historical Methods

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

The management information systems (MIS) graduate program is a STEM-designated business program. MIS is an applied business program that focuses on the areas of:

• Information systems
• Software development
• Computer system architectures
• Business intelligence and data analytics
• Information security
• Cloud management
• Related management issues

Project Management

The  project management specialization equips future business leaders with an understanding of the fundamentals of project management and exposure to areas of key interest to project managers, such as:

• Project risk
• Procurement
• Quality management
• Change management

Coursework addresses many of the concepts covered in the project management certification exam that is administered by the Project Management Institute.

Coursework in the specialization balances theoretical concepts with applied exercises and cases. Students have the opportunity to apply project management concepts and processes in a real-world project. Due to these experiences, students graduate with a much better understanding of the dynamics and challenges associated with projects, as well as effective practices for managing them.

Philosophy is the attempt to think carefully, critically and systematically about the most challenging questions that face humanity. Philosophy is the oldest academic discipline, with roots that trace to ancient Greece and to thinkers who asked probing questions about themselves and the world around them. Philosophy is called, “the queen of the sciences” because every major academic discipline—from math to psychology—was part of philosophy at one time. Philosophy continues to spawn new cutting-edge fields, such as cognitive science.

At SIUE, pursuing a degree in philosophy allows you to follow your interests. Classes are centered on discussion so you can be an active participant every day. In order to develop your abilities to solve complex problems, generate ideas, communicate clearly, respond to others, adapt to change, and think creatively, faculty in the College of Arts and Sciences Department of Philosophy will challenge you throughout your course of study. Being challenged helps students develop deep analytical skills that will translate into everyday life, as well as their chosen profession.

Law
Students are admitted to law school from a wide variety of academic disciplines, and no specific major is required for entrance. The American Bar Association (ABA) recommends pursuing an area of study that interests you and helps you develop a strong skill set in problem solving, critical reading, writing, oral communication and research. Law schools judge applicants based on their diversity of experiences, GPA and LSAT scores.

The philosophy major offers excellent preparation for law school because it excels at teaching the skills needed for law school and in legal professions. On average, philosophy majors tend to excel on the LSAT, and philosophy majors have a high law school admission rate. The Department of Philosophy offers a BA in philosophy with a specialization in law that specifies 15 hours of 33 required credit hours to complete the philosophy major. By including this coursework, the BA in philosophy with a law specialization is designed to guide students toward curricular decisions that will facilitate their future success in law school and in subsequent legal professions.

At SIUE, a Bachelor of Fine Arts prepares students to be lifelong practitioners of the studio arts who can demonstrate professional competencies, conceptual, technical and visual; in one specialized area within the department’s studio offerings.

Students in the Bachelor of Fine Arts program can take coursework in:

• Ceramics
• Drawing
• Graphic Design
• Metalsmithing
• Painting
• Photography
• Printmaking
• Sculpture
• Textiles

Art and design students at SIUE study in newly built and renovated facilities offering state-of-the-art technology, and are challenged to view themselves as professionals on the first day they step into a classroom.

The Bachelor of Fine Arts, offered through the Department of Art and Design in the College of Arts and Sciences, is considered the professional degree in visual arts. It is the entry-level degree by which students enter the professional field of graphic design, and is considered the necessary degree for a student interested in becoming a lifelong professional artist. Students will also be well prepared to pursue graduate studies.

What can I do with a degree in Art and Design?
An undergraduate degree in art and design prepares majors for a wide variety of careers, including work in museums, art galleries, cultural institutions and academia. Our students are also well-prepared for graduate school. Some of our recent graduates are pursuing advanced degrees at Indiana University, University of Nebraska, Maryland Institute College of Art, The State University of New York at Albany, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Syracuse University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Rhode Island School of Design, among others.

The study of communication involves the development of theories and research tools to analyze, explain and improve human interaction. The applied communication studies program is offered in the College of Arts and Sciences through the Department of Applied Communication Studies. Departmental courses focus on two-person interaction, small-group decision making, communication patterns in organizations and other complex systems, public relations, and speaker-audience interaction in public speaking.

What can I do with a degree in Applied Communication Studies?
In America, employers increasingly recognize the need for more effective communication. As a result, job opportunities for graduates trained in applied communication studies are prevalent in business and industry, government agencies, educational systems, nonprofit organizations, and community-based resource centers. Graduates often have several career choices. Examples of communication careers departmental graduates have entered are: teaching and administration; management, training and consulting in organizations; public relations; human relations and employee assistance programs; sales; and government service. Graduates find employment in various types of for-profit and nonprofit organizations locally, regionally, nationally and internationally. Applied communication is also an in-demand minor for students majoring in areas such as, business, mass communications, political science and sociology. Our graduates are also well-prepared for graduate school.

Track Option: Public Relations
Students in the public relations track will study under a model program, designed to meet and exceed national guidelines for undergraduate public relations education described in Public Relations Education for the 21st Century: A Port of Entry, sponsored by the Commission on Public Relations Education. This track stresses written, oral, graphic, and technological applications of communication skills. Elements of the program are designed to keep entry-level students in touch with upper-division students, and past graduates in touch with all students. In addition, students will experience the "paired course" concept, an idea that helps students integrate materials across their sequence of study. And finally, students may join SIUE's award-winning chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which is affiliated with the national professional association, Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

The fast change of pace in our society is creating new career opportunities for individuals trained in multiple disciplines. The Master of Science in integrative studies allows students to access expertise from two or three areas and integrate courses into a degree that meets the needs of an emerging career field.

Consider integrative studies if:

• You have diverse interests that span two or three academic disciplines and you want to blend these interests into one cohesive program
• You have a career interest in an emerging field that crosses academic disciplines, such as cultural heritage and resources management or marketing communications
• You want to advance in a non-traditional sector or start your own business

What can I do with a degree in Integrative Studies?
A Master of Science in integrative studies can lead to a multitude of career paths as well as entry into doctoral programs. The degree will meet the needs of students seeking knowledge for advancement in a specific industry, looking to move to an emerging field that is multidisciplinary or starting their own business. Employment outlook and salary information for these careers vary widely. A carefully designed plan of study will provide students with a unique combination of skills and knowledge that will be advantageous in the job market.

Applied Communication Studies and Marketing
In the increasingly changing national and international markets, professionals in marketing and communication studies are in high demand, especially if their knowledge and skills cut across industry and specialization areas. A Master of Science in integrative studies with a focus in applied communication studies and marketing from SIUE will equip you with cutting-edge knowledge and skills that will position you for various careers that meld marketing and communication in both the corporate and the nonprofit realms. Effectively managing marketing campaigns is essential for organizations as they seek to solidify and expand market share.

The environmental sciences undergraduate program, in the College of Arts and Sciences at SIUE, is interdisciplinary, and is designed to cultivate students' perspectives of environmental issues, and to provide them with refined knowledge of environmental issues on a local, regional and global scale. The curriculum within the Department of Environmental Sciences will increase students’ technical competence in addressing these environmental issues, their origins, ramifications and resolutions. The program will promote experiential learning and professional education to prepare students for career opportunities in a wide variety of workplaces.

What can I do with a degree in Environmental Sciences?
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of environmental scientists and specialists is projected to grow 8% through 2028, which is faster than the average for all occupations in the U.S. Graduates with a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts with specializations in environmental health, environmental toxicology and environmental management will have career opportunities in their areas of interest. For example, a licensed environmental health practitioner can be employed for inspection, sampling and reporting for sanitary, food safety, sewage and waste disposal, drinking water, pest control, or industrial hygiene.

Environmental Toxicology
The environmental toxicology specialization provides students with the knowledge to work as environmental toxicology specialists, and prepares students for careers in teaching, research or other related professional fields. Environmental toxicology students study toxic pollutants and their effects on the physical and biological environment, such as identifying and investigating potential sources of pollutants in the environment and minimizing their toxic effects on humans and other organisms. Toxic pollutants in the environment include different organic and inorganic chemical compounds, such as pesticides, industrial waste and heavy metals. Occupations that use environmental toxicology include:

• Risk assessment
• Pharmaceutical development
• Food additive toxicity testing
• Managing regulatory compliance
• Residue or forensic analysis
• Pest control
• Monitoring and field sampling
• Industrial hygiene
• environmental health and safety

Examples of careers for graduates with a specialization in environmental toxicology include environmental toxicologist, staff toxicologist, environmental health, and safety specialist.

International studies is an interdisciplinary degree program designed to help students reflect on and engage in the complex social, political, economic, and cultural interrelations that exist among nations and regions of our increasingly globalized world. The program offers a broad range of curricular options in the College of Arts and Sciences, allowing students to explore, in regards to various peoples and across populations, aspects related to geography, history, religion, government, trade, communication, languages and literatures, music and arts, social justice, and environmental challenges. Students in the program will learn critical and analytical problem-solving skills that they can apply to contemporary global issues.

What can I do with a degree in International Studies?
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in international studies are qualified for many positions in diplomacy or with nonprofits, governmental organizations and businesses. Students can apply their knowledge of globalization, language and culture in workplace settings in the areas of foreign service, foreign aid or international intergovernmental organizations. Examples of government agencies seeking these graduates are the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Security Agency and the Central Intelligence Agency. In recent years, there have been hundreds of thousands of export related jobs and employment opportunities with foreign firms in Illinois and in the St. Louis metropolitan area. Possible job titles include: foreign service specialist; human rights advocate; lobbyist and administrative/legislative aid; Peace Corps officer; teacher of English as a foreign language in international settings; family and community support service provider for humanitarian agencies in the United States and internationally; and business consultant in international firms.

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.

At SIUE, we have a graduate student-to-faculty ratio of two-to-one, so our students receive personalized attention from faculty recognized for outstanding teaching and excellent research. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at SIUE provides learning and research opportunities in many areas and students are exposed to various cultures from diverse faculty members in the College of Arts and Sciences.

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

The Department of Applied Communication Studies, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers a program leading to the master of arts in applied communication studies, with specializations available in corporate and organizational communication, health communication, interpersonal communication, or public relations.

The graduate program in applied communication studies provides students with a broad curriculum, designed to deepen their understanding of communication theory and their ability to analyze, generate and apply communication research, as well as to enhance their knowledge and skills necessary for their development as leaders across an array of communication professions.

What can I do with a degree in Applied Communication Studies?
Graduates with a master's degree in applied communication studies are qualified for careers in business, industry, nonprofit and governmental settings, as well as in higher education (at the community college level). Mastery of communication theory, research methods and application strategies is particularly relevant for students seeking careers in fields such as management, training and development, sales, advertising, public relations, community relations, intra- and inter-organizational communication, consulting, fundraising, event organizing, community health relations, communication training in health organizations, and human resources.