Master of Science in Integrative Studies - Applied Communication Studies and Marketing

at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville USA

Graduates of the accountancy 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. Most of our students aspire to become certified public accountants (CPAs), which requires 150 hours of college credit. With this in mind, our Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program is designed to seamlessly complete the additional 30 hours beyond the 120 hours required for the BSA. For students completing their BSA who have earned at least 150 hours, our undergraduate curriculum meets the requirements to sit for the CPA exam in most states.

For individuals not seeking CPA certification, the Bachelor of Science in accountancy program provides the education required for many careers in the accounting discipline, including financial reporting, internal auditing, tax accounting, managerial accounting and not-for-profit accounting. Students will also be prepared for appropriate professional certifications within these segments of accounting, such as a certified management accountant or a certified internal auditor. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of accountants and auditors is projected to grow 4% through 2029.

The Department of Chemistry, in the College of Arts and Sciences, offers several degree programs and active research opportunities in order to satisfy the diverse career goals of our students. At SIUE, students will learn from faculty members who have earned national and international reputations in their respective areas of expertise. The department also has well-equipped laboratories where students can expect to gain experience in the many different disciplines in chemistry and biochemistry. Through the department’s research programs, students may also gain experience in the most current techniques.

What can I do with a degree in Chemistry?
Students earning a degree in chemistry will be well prepared to pursue a variety of careers. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a chemist with a bachelor's degree was $79,300 as of May, 2020. Chemistry majors work as analysts, environmentalists, criminologists, librarians, patent examiners, production foremen, researchers, writers and teachers. Chemists also find work in sales, and for private companies that produce items such as fertilizers, pharmaceuticals, plastics and semi-conductors. Careers in the public sector can be found in local, state and federal governments, as well as hospitals, high schools, colleges and universities.

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.

Actuarial Science
What are the odds that an earthquake will cause catastrophic damage in a particular area? How should an insurance company determine how much to charge for life insurance? Actuarial science is a focused discipline that uses mathematical and statistical models to assess the financial, economic and business implications of future events.

According to the Society of Actuaries, an actuary combines the skills of a business executive, mathematician, and financial and investment manager. Actuarial science is an ideal concentration for students interested in careers that deal with studying risks related to economics, finance and social issues.

The liberal studies program, offered in the College of Arts and Sciences, is designed as a flexible bachelor's degree program. With a broad-based curriculum in liberal arts and sciences, the liberal studies program emphasizes breadth of study rather than focus on a single discipline. This program is designed to meet the needs of students whose educational, professional and personal goals may not be fully met through a specific major at SIUE, as well as those who wish to plan and develop a program appropriate to their interests. Students planning to pursue graduate studies should take courses in this program that will satisfy graduate admission requirements.

The liberal studies program is intended to enhance the knowledge of students in a variety of areas. Extensive course alternatives allow students to adapt their curriculum to meet individual needs. This program is of special value to those who are seeking broad-based preparation or skills, those who already possess occupational skills and seek to enhance them, and those who seek enrichment of their personal and professional lives. Allowing for student flexibility, courses are offered in online, hybrid, evening, weekend and traditional formats.

What can I do with a degree in Liberal Studies?
The liberal studies program supports learning across a variety of areas, and the extensive course options allow students to adapt their curriculum to meet individual needs and career goals. These options, along with the development of targeted skills, help students build a resume that is robust and unique, and stands out to prospective employers. This program is valuable to students who are not seeking a career based in a single discipline, to those who already possess occupational skills, and to those who seek enrichment of their personal and professional lives. Students pursuing an undergraduate degree in liberal studies can also be prepared for a graduate program based upon their degree completion pathway.

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.

Organizational Communication and Management
In order to be competitive in this ever-growing global economy, it is important for organizational leaders to have effective communication and managerial skills. A competent manager is cognizant of the importance of an efficient communication system as the building block of strong organizations. In addition to being a source of information for organizational members, communication is a crucial tool for promoting motivation and altering attitudes in order to advance the mission and goals of an organization. Successful managers are equipped to recognize barriers in communication and to strategize and devise preventive ways to avoid those barriers.

The environmental science management program from the Department of Environmental Sciences is a new kind of master’s degree, a professional science master’s (PSM). The PSM is a degree in science or mathematics for students interested in a wider variety of career options than provided by current graduate programs in the sciences and mathematics. This degree program also prepares students for work in fields such as research management and technology transfer.

What can I do with a degree in Environmental Science Management?
The professional science master’s degree in environmental science management is designed to fill a management need for technology-based companies, governmental agencies and non-profit organizations. Graduates can pursue a variety of positions in the public and private sectors seeking scientists with project management skills, such as waste management specialist, environmental policy and technical analyst, environmental project manager for planning and implementation of resource management, remediation, restoration and sustainable practices.

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.

Faculty in the Department of Music believe students in undergraduate academic programs in music should receive a comprehensive musical background that includes cultural knowledge through the general education program, individual performance, ensemble performance, scholarly studies in music theory and history/literature, and where applicable, teacher education courses. The intent is to develop skilled and informed musicians, able scholars, and excellent and enthusiastic teachers.

The Bachelor of Music curriculum prepares students for professional careers and advanced graduate study in music performance and music education. The Bachelor of Arts, designed for students who wish to specialize in music within a liberal arts curriculum, may serve as the foundation for advanced studies in music.

Jazz Performance
The jazz performance specialization blends a liberal arts education with the intensive training needed to develop into a professional musician working in jazz and popular music. Students work toward fundamental mastery of their instruments and develop professional skills in both small group and studio/large ensembles. Time, feel, sound, the blues, improvisation and high-level interaction are all major areas of focus. Students have many opportunities to perform and experience great performances on and off campus. SIUE is just minutes away from the thriving musical culture in St. Louis, a city that has played a key role in the development of the blues, ragtime, jazz, rock 'n' roll and hip hop.

The SIUE School of Engineering is one of the most comprehensive engineering schools in the region, offering a broad collection of professionally accredited engineering programs. In the Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, courses are offered in the areas of fluid mechanics and thermal sciences, structural mechanics and vibrations, nonlinear dynamical systems, as well as mechatronics, robotics and control systems.

What can I do with a degree in Mechanical Engineering?
Students with a graduate degree in mechanical engineering will be well-prepared to pursue a career in a wide range of industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, energy, automotive, bioengineering, robotics and automation and computer-aided design and engineering. Recent SIUE graduates have earned positions in the private sector and governmental agencies. Some graduates also choose to pursue their doctoral degree.

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