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MBA in Applied Communication

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Explore the Intersection of Communication and Business

Add advertising and public relations skills to your online MBA program with an Area of Focus in Applied Communication.

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  • Duration 13-25 months
  • Cost per Credit $673
  • Credit Hours 36

Program Benefits

  • Connect mass communication and business outcomes
  • No GMAT required for admission with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
  • Affordable tuition

Essentials for Successful Business Communication

Calvin University’s online MBA in Applied Communication helps you apply your business expertise to careers in advertising, public relations, fundraising, and more. You’ll gain tools for effective communication among diverse audiences and media production platforms.

The Area of Focus in Applied Communication includes on-campus courses that are ideal for students living in West Michigan. Learn from expert instructors and complete your degree at a pace that fits your schedule.

Curriculum: Applied Communication Theory and Practice

  • On-campus
  • 13-25 months
  • 30-36 credit hours

The Applied Communication Area of Focus begins with the Basics of Media Production course, which introduces you to audiovisual media design and technology. You will also determine the best ways to analyze and reach target audiences. Then, you will select two additional Applied Communication courses.

Course Spotlight: COMM 510 Storytelling across Media Platforms

What makes for effective multimedia storytelling? In this course, you will learn to become intentional about leveraging the strengths of different media to communicate in ways that single-medium stories cannot.

View Courses

Course Spotlight: COMM 521 Advanced Advertising

Advertising is both an institution in society and a communication process. Designed as a comprehensive view of the subject, this course includes topics such as advertising history, regulation, best practices, creative approaches, and more.

Career Outlook: Optimize Business Communication in Nearly Any Industry

Careers that infuse business and communication are some of the fastest-growing in the country. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, business and financial occupations could see over 911,400 openings each year, on average, from 2022 to 2032.1 Management occupations could reach over a million openings over the same time frame.2 Now is a great time to hone your business and communication skills so you can advance to leadership roles in your field.

Career opportunities for graduates of the online MBA in Applied Communication

  • Content strategist
  • Corporate communications manager
  • Public relations specialist
  • Media director
  • Strategic communication manager

PUBLIC RELATIONS MANAGER

$129,430/year

Public relations managers oversee a team of public relations specialists as they review all internal and external communication for their business. These managers help ensure that communication is legally appropriate and that their clients are represented accurately and effectively.3

ADVERTISING AND PROMOTIONS MANAGER

$127,830/year

Advertising and promotions managers connect with clients, generate ideas, and work with their team to create content for multiple types of media. They must ensure that all content and communication is targeted to specific audiences.4

Career Outlook

More Areas of Focus

The online MBA program offers five optional Areas of Focus that provide a competitive edge for your chosen business career path.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Nonprofit Management

The MBA Area of Focus in Nonprofit Management explores the essentials of leadership and how utilizing such skills in the nonprofit sector can benefit communities across the world.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Marketing

This MBA Area of Focus dives into marketing strategy and allows flexibility to explore additional marketing or communication courses.

Master of Business Administration (MBA): Finance

The MBA Area of Focus in Finance clarifies advanced corporate finance. Explore additional topics through two elective courses.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 1-855-474-8346.

Fulltime online MBA students can complete the MBA in as little as thirteen months.

Yes. The online MBA offers both part- and full-time options.

The first step is to complete and submit the online application. Applying to Calvin’s MBA is free.

You can start the online MBA program at six different start dates throughout the year, flexible to meet your needs.

You can select a general MBA that consists of 12 required courses and 3 additional master’s courses of your choice (in consultation with your advisor) to complete the program. The four available areas of focus – Applied Communication, Finance, Marketing, and Nonprofit Management – are optional ways to complete the full 30-36 hours for your MBA. Learn more about the curriculum for the online MBA by visiting the program’s curriculum page.

Once you complete the online MBA program, you’ll be qualified for a variety of in-demand leadership careers, including roles such as top executive, fundraising manager, administrative services manager, marketing manager, and more. Visit this program’s career outcomes page to learn more about the professional opportunities that await you.

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