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	Your Concentration
	Leadership This concentration is intended to provide current and future organizational leaders with an understanding of how to apply communication principles, strategies and technologies to the needs and development of their businesses and organizations. Students graduating with this concentration will be prepared for leadership responsibilities in public relations, corporate communication, media management, or consulting, particularly in development or advancement capacities. In addition, the coursework prepares experts or professionals coming from fields such as finance, health, politics, and the military to return to their original fields as communication experts or specialists. As with all of our program, students will develop a course plan and thesis project consistent with their personal and professional goals. The academic plan should include the following 12 credit hours: COM 510 Communication Leadership (3) COM 610 Advertising and public relations (3) COM 612 Conflict resolution (3) COM 570 or 670 Special topics (1-3 hrs.), such as Consulting, Legal Issues for Organizations, or Fundraising.



	Education This concentration provides current and future professionals in the educational field with understanding of how to apply communication principles, strategies and technologies to the needs and development of their students. The coursework prepares teachers and administrators to return to their institutions as communication specialists in the educational context. This program is also relevant to individuals responsible for online or face-to-face professional development, training, and continuing education in their current field or profession. Graduates will demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between communication and education. As with all of our program, students will develop a course plan and thesis project consistent with their personal and professional goals. The academic plan should include the following 12 credit hours: COM 520 Instructional technology (3) COM 620 Assessing and teaching communication arts (3) COM 622 Online pedagogy (3) COM 570 or 670 Special Topics (1-3 hrs.), such as School Law, Issues in Communication Education, or Research in Communication Education.



	Ministry This concentration provides current and church and para-church leaders with an understanding of how to apply communication principles, strategies and technologies to the needs and development of their ministries. Students explore the role and ministry of the church in an increasingly technological, interconnected global society. The coursework also prepares experts or professionals coming from management or administration positions to return to their churches or non-profit ministries as communication experts or specialists. As with all of our program, students will develop a course plan and thesis project consistent with their personal and professional goals. The academic plan should include the following 12 credit hours: COM 530 The church in cyberspace (3) COM 630 Communication in Christian ministries (3) COM 632 Communicating change: spiritual formation and renewal (3) COM 570 or 670 Special Topics (1-3 hrs.), such as Legal Issues for Churches, Communication Research for Churches.



	Professional writing This area is designed for those who want to focus on writing or editing non-fiction for print, broadcast or web-based media. Typically students who complete this program will be interested in careers as journalists, columnists, editors, or content providers. Students will explore writing as vocation and consider various rhetorical models for effectively communication in a post-modern culture. As with all of our program, students will develop a course plan and thesis project consistent with their personal and professional goals. The academic plan should include the following 12 credit hours: COM 540 Writing as vocation (3) COM 640 Writing and reporting (3) COM 642 Editing and publishing (3) COM 570 or 670 Special Topics (1-3 hrs.), such as Broadcast News Writing, Editorials, Columns & Essays, Electronic News Gathering, Reviewing Popular Entertainment



	New Media This concentration provides current and future media specialists with an understanding of how to apply communication principles, strategies and emerging/developing technologies to the needs of their current professions. Students are also prepared to undertake entrepreneurial ventures and serve as consultants. Students will understand the role of emerging technologies in a global age and consider new applications of interactive media to professional interests and pursuits. As with all of our program, students will develop a course plan and thesis project consistent with their personal and professional goals. The academic plan should include the following 12 credit hours: COM 550 Computer mediated communication (3) COM 650 Visual communication (3) COM 652 Web publishing (3) COM 570 or 670 Special topics (1-3 hrs.) such as, Intellectual Property in Cyberspace, Content Management.



	Individualized Students in our individualized option are prepared to enter a variety of careers in business, government, ministry and other professions that require the application of communication skills and understanding in an age increasingly characterized by unprecedented local and global intercultural contacts. It might also equip students for additional graduate study. The student in this track will design a program based on his or her specialized needs and interests. Courses are selected from various concentrations and electives, but must be approved prior to taking courses beyond the core. It also requires a professional plan/rationale approved by the department. This track is intended to provide creative options. For example, it would be appropriate for someone in the ministry who would like to publish, or for an individual who desires to develop online curriculum for a personal or job-related application. Please see the Proposal for Individualized Program on our forms page.

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Spring Arbor University • 106 E. Main • Spring Arbor, MI 49283
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