COM 6000
Communication Theory
3 Credits
A survey course of communication theories with an emphasis on those that address persuasive methods from rhetorical and social science perspectives. Theories address interpersonal, media, group, and cultural communication situations. Students will develop skills as critical listeners and writers and become fluent in vocabulary for describing and analyzing persuasive messaging.
PH 6220
Health Behavior Change Theory
3 Credits
This course explores behavior change theories as well as current theories and models for assessing, planning, implementing, and evaluating individual and community health programs. Students will design and analyze health education and health promotion programs.
COM 6310
International Communication
3 Credits
This course examines the elements that affect communication across cultural and national boundaries and how to successfully engage with partners across those boundaries. The course recognizes that multicultural issues affect the communication of organizational members on a day-to-day basis, and that skilled multicultural communication can be a powerful organizational asset.
PH 6250
Contemporary Issues in Public Health
3 Credits
Examination of various contemporary issues from across the globe in public health. Includes social, economic, political, and community problems in the provision of health services, workforce development, and health care compensation.
COM 6200
Organizational Communication Management
3 Credits
An examination of organizational elements that affect communication including formal and informal hierarchies, corporate culture, conflict resolution, leadership style, and technology. It develops in students the ability to manage a diverse workforce, communicate effectively and efficiently in a group or through mass media, and plan strategic communication campaigns. Emphasis is on problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
COM 6305
Health Crisis Communication
3 Credits
This course provides an in-depth study of key aspects of crisis communication and prepares students to anticipate, identify clues, and initiate pre-emptive health communication programs for events which precipitate health crises (natural disasters, terrorism, warfare, domestic unrest, etc.). The course covers related research, strategic planning, presentations, media relations, government relations, and international relations.
PH 6460
Public Health Program Planning
3 Credits
This course examines the models and methods used by health professionals, educators, and community leaders for planning, implementing, and evaluating various programs and interventions to address different types of public health problems. Being application-focused, this course will require students to identify a health problem and target a population of their interest. Then, most of the course term will be dedicated to students planning their own public health programs with direct supervision and mentorship from the course instructor.
PH 6600
Public Health Communication and Marketing
3 Credits
This course examines theory and promotes practice in communications issues and skills needed for the successful public health professional. Students in this course explore, practice, and produce different public health communication: a) scientific and professional written communication; b) social marketing and the use of social media; c) graphic displays of qualitative, descriptive and continuous data; and d) oral communication for a variety of public health audiences. Various communication theories, as they apply to public health issues and audiences, will be explored with special attention to cultural competency and health literacy among diverse communities.
PH 6610
Public Health Media Advocacy
3 Credits
An examination of the importance of advocacy for the individual, community, and public health professionals. Special emphasis will be placed on developing advocacy-based skills to advocate effectively at the micro and macro level. In addition, students will participate in advocacy efforts external to the university to gain experience that enriches the student's training.
HCOM 7000
Capstone in Health Communication
3 Credits
Culminating project for MA in Health Communication degree. Students apply the knowledge and skills acquired through their coursework to produce an original written work under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The original work may take a number of forms including but not limited to an internship report, a thesis, a field report, a public health/health communication campaign, or a professional paper.
