The graduate program in applied communication studies provides students with a broad curriculum, designed to prepare them to be leaders across an array of communication professions. Students will deepen their understanding of communication principles, concepts and theories, as well as their ability to analyze, generate and apply communication research. Students will also gain the knowledge and skills necessary for professional practice through opportunities for engagements with industry experts and pursuit of hands-on projects.<br><br>The Department of Applied Communication Studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville offers coursework at undergraduate level as well as at graduate level. Undergraduate students have opportunities to focus on interpersonal communication, corporate and organizational communication, or public relations. In addition, applied communication is a high demand minor for majors in such areas as business, mass communications, political science and sociology. The undergraduate programs also prepare interested students for advanced graduate level education. Graduate students can emphasize interpersonal communication, corporate and organizational communication, public relations, or health communication.