The Master of Arts in Health Communication prepares students for careers in professional communication settings such as community-based agencies, hospitals, nonprofit organizations and government. The curriculum combines a theoretical foundation with a focus on the public sphere and advanced healthcare topics. With the increased focus on healthcare in the United States, health communication employment is expected to grow by 21% through 2022 with the number of jobs exceeding 21,400*. *Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2014-15 Edition, Health Educators and Community Health Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/health-educators.htm

At the completion of this 30-credit program students will be able to: Understand the cultural and political issues impacting the study of human communication, with specific focus on health communication. Understand the dynamic nature of interpersonal communication, with specific focus on the patient-provider relationship. Apply theoretical principles of human communication theory and communication ethics in interpersonal, small group, team, and organizational contexts, with specific focus on health communication contexts. Analyze the role that ethical persuasion plays within the marketplace, specifically within the area of health communication. Evaluate existing research in order to examine a contemporary issue within the field of human communication, with specific focus on issues found within the study of health communication. Critique existing professional practices and academic research to improve interaction between persons of varying religious, professional, and socio-economic backgrounds, specifically those exchanges within a health communication context.