The mission of the Department of Applied Communication is to foster the co-creation of better social worlds through positive communication. The Master of Arts in applied communication studies provides graduate students with a solid theoretical and practical understanding of how communication practices operate in everyday life.

The gerontology graduate certificate program is designed to provide professionals with knowledge of the biological, sociological, and psychological aspects of the aging process as well as an understanding of the social policies and services that respond to the needs of the older adult.

The graduate certificate in data science provides interested professionals the opportunity to get recognized for some basic training in the data and information science disciplines, and serves as a stepping stone toward pursuing other graduate degrees, such as the M.S. in information science and Ph.D in computer and information sciences (information science track).

The graduate certificate in gifted and talented education is designed for teachers looking to develop and implement creative teaching strategies for advanced learners in the K-12 setting. This 15-hour program is perfect for educators at all levels: classroom teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators wishing to improve the learning environments of their students. It meets the requirements for Arkansas Licensure in Gifted and Talented Education.

The Learning Systems Technology Education (LSTE) unit prepares students in the field of instructional design and technology for careers in public schools, community colleges, higher education institutions, business, industry, military, and medical settings or other facilities. The LSTE certificate program is designed to provide graduates a greater understanding of the dynamic interactions between content, pedagogy, and technology. It also fulfills the core requirements for those wanting to move on to the M.Ed. in LSTE.

The Master of Science in information science is rated in the US top 3 programs, as well as Most Affordable. The MSIS is a 33-credit-hour program designed to familiarize individuals with the advanced knowledge, skills, and technologies for working with large amounts of complex data.

The Master of Education in gifted, creative, and talented education K-12 online program provides specialized knowledge and competencies needed to meet the challenge of providing an appropriate education for children and adolescents with exceptional abilities.
This 30-hour program is one of the largest of its kind in the United States. It is also accredited by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

The Computer and Information Sciences Ph.D. program designed to promote strong multidisciplinary collaborations across several computing disciplines whose bodies of knowledge influence and intertwine with each other. Graduates of this 75-hour program are prepared to thrive in diverse computing- and knowledge-based industries as well as in research and education at academic, industry, and federal agencies.

Two emphasis tracks of the program, information quality and information science, are offered online.

The information quality graduate certificate program is a 12-hour program that offers graduate students and working professionals opportunities to enhance IQ career entry and growth through specialized study.
The 12-hour program, which can be completed in two semesters, offers graduate students and working professionals opportunities to enhance IQ career entry and growth through specialized study.

The Master of Science in information quality (MSIQ) is a career-oriented program focusing on practice, skills, and theory. The 33-hour program is designed to prepare students for careers in industry and government as well as advanced graduate studies.

The Master of Arts in mass communication online degree program emphasizes critical thinking about mass media and its journalistic and strategic communication practices, media content and its effects on the public. The 33-hour program offers students the option to either write a master’s thesis or create a professional project as their capstone experience.

The Master of Social Work (MSW) is a 60-hour degree program that prepares social workers for advanced practice and leadership roles — to have the skills and knowledge to enhance individual, family, group, organization, and community well-being; to work for social and economic justice; and to meet the human-service needs of Arkansas and the surrounding region.

The Master of Arts in professional and technical writing offers a wide variety of courses in workplace and technical communication, nonfiction writing and publishing, and the teaching of writing from elementary school through college. Students may choose to complete a 36-hour degree that culminates in a traditional academic thesis or a 42-hour degree that culminates in an online portfolio.

The online writing instruction graduate certificate program is the only graduate-level certificate in the country that provides writing teachers with training specifically in online instruction.
The 18-hour program helps current and new online faculty develop online courses that meet the standards of the Conference on College Composition and Communication Position Statement on Principles and Example Effective Practices for Online Writing Instruction.

The dyslexia therapist graduate certificate program is designed to provide teachers the knowledge and skills to work effectively with students experiencing moderate to severe reading difficulties including dyslexia.

The Master of Education in reading is a 30 hour accelerated online degree program that helps novice and veteran teachers become specialized educators. One of the two degree plans can lead to certification (reading specialist and/or dyslexia therapist) in the state of Arkansas. The Reading Generalist degree plan does not lead to certification.

The Master of Science in Criminal Justice is an accelerated online degree program that is designed to help people currently working in the field develop the essential knowledge and skills needed to become an effective practitioner or supervisor in the criminal justice system. All required courses for the M.S. in criminal justice are offered in an accelerated format. Students can expect to complete the 36-hour program in 3 years (7 semesters).

The Master of Education in learning systems technology education online degree program prepares instructional designers and learning scientists to analyze problems and apply solutions for modern learning programs though teaching and administrative roles. Graduates of this 36-hour program may apply these skills to a variety of careers in public schools, community colleges, higher education institutions, business, industry, government, military, and medical settings or facilities.