Kent State University’s School of Communication Studies and College of Business Administration offer an opportunity to obtain two degrees at once: a Master of Arts in Communication Studies (M.A.) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA), beginning this fall.
This unique dual-degree program is particularly attractive for managers, professionals and Bachelor of Arts students looking to enhance their communication skills to influence business in emerging global markets, while also developing skills to augment their own professional careers.
The dual degree integrates knowledge of economic and business development practices that impact the interconnected global business world. Coursework includes: communication theory and skills, media and information dissemination and processes, business fundamentals, entrepreneurial thinking and team-building skills.
“The M.A./MBA dual degree will provide knowledge of the critical areas of business combined with an emphasis on global communications,” said Deborah F. Spake, Ph.D., dean of Kent State’s College of Business Administration. “Competitively, the dual degree places graduates ahead of their peers, with skills that are in demand across all industries, from private sector to public service and entrepreneurial ventures.”
Kent State’s College of Business Administration is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – an accreditation earned by fewer than 5 percent of business schools worldwide. Additionally, U.S. News & World Report has ranked the college as one of the best business colleges in the nation, and Princeton Review rated the college’s MBA program as a best business school.
Paul Haridakis, Ph.D., director of Kent State’s School of Communication Studies, affirms that communication degrees are highly desired among employers looking to hire college graduates.
“Employer surveys routinely demonstrate the centrality and importance of communication skills and training to be effective in the workforce,” Haridakis said. “Strong and effective analytical, verbal and written communication skills rank at the very top among qualities that employers seek in candidates. At the same time, the MBA has become a gold standard among graduate degrees in business. Our M.A./MBA dual degree program positions graduates to stand out in the professional world and increases their marketability by providing valuable skillsets that are heavily requested by today’s employers.”
The dual degree requires 62-65 credit hours of coursework: 35-41 hours in business administration and 20-27 hours in communication studies. Participating in a global experience is a requirement and may be an education-abroad course or an internship with global reach.
To apply, submit only one set of application materials. Each program makes an independent admission decision on the same application. Admission is based on grades, GRE or GMAT, references, an admissions essay and professional experience.
Kent State’s School of Communication Studies offers bachelor’s degrees in communication with majors in global, organizational, health, public, interpersonal and applied communication. The school also grants master’s degrees and participates in a collegewide doctoral degree program.
The school is nationally recognized for its scholarship, and its students have received national recognition for their academic and professional accomplishments. The Ohio Communication Association has recognized the school as Ohio’s distinguished program in communication.
For more information about the new dual master’s program, contact Mei-Chen Lin, Ph.D., professor and graduate coordinator at Kent State’s School of Communication Studies, at mlin@kent.edu or Louise Ditchey, administrative director of graduate programs at Kent State’s College of Business Administration, at lditchey@kent.edu.
For more information about Kent State’s College of Business Administration, visit www.kent.edu/business.
For more information about Kent State’s School of Communication Studies, visit www.kent.edu/comm.
# # #
Media Contacts:
Jennifer Kramer, jlkramer@kent.edu, 330-672-1960
Paul Haridakis, pharidak@kent.edu, 330-672-2659
Michelle Parrish Manning, mparris3@kent.edu, 330-672-2717