Integrative Studies - Diversity in Organizations (MS)
With the rapid diversification of the United States population, the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by the year 2060 no clear racial or ethnic majority will exist. While globalization is beneficial for many, it brings complications that have implications for policy and practice in both for-profit and not-for-profit institutions. The integrative studies degree in diversity in organizations provides greater insight into multiculturalism, discrimination and the design of interventions that maximize the benefits of organizational diversity and inclusion. This graduate program is appropriate for those who are interested in learning how to develop programs that deal with issues of diversity and discrimination as well as for those who are interested in resolving social justice controversies within organizations.
Career Outlook
Graduates are prepared for entrepreneurial and leadership careers in a wide variety of settings such as education, business and industry and non-profit organizations. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there is a projected ten percent growth in the employment of training and development managers until 2026 due to the constant need for workplace training and education.
Admission Requirements
- Graduate School application and $40 fee
- Official copies of all post-secondary transcripts
- Successful completion of a bachelor's degree prior to enrollment. Applicants may be required to take prerequisites or resolve any deficiencies before classified status is approved.
- Minimum GPA 3.0
- International Applicants: Proof of English Proficiency, minimum requirements are TOEFL (79), IELTS (6.5) or equivalent
- A letter of intent clearly articulating the desired focus areas, the applicant’s academic/career goals, how his/her academic background prepares him/her to undertake the program successfully, and how the program serves his/her goals must be submitted with the application.
Program application materials may be uploaded during the application process, but official transcripts must be sent directly from the school attended, and test scores must be verifiable with the appropriate testing service. Please contact the Graduate Admissions Office with questions regarding the application submission process at graduateadmissions@siue.edu.
Applicants with a baccalaureate and/or graduate-level GPA between 2.5 and 3.0 may be considered if all the following conditions are met.
- The baccalaureate degree and/or graduate-level work was earned more than four years prior to the application submission.
- The applicant provides a written explanation of her/his performance in the baccalaureate degree.
- The applicant provides a written explanation of why he/she will be successful in the integrative studies degree.
Review the SIUE Admissions Policy for more information.
Curriculum
Students will take courses in the Departments of Applied Communication Studies and Sociology, according to the master's in integrative studies program requirements:
- 30 credit hours of graduate-level courses, 18 credit hours of which are from the Department of Applied Communication Studies and 12 credit hours from the Department of Sociology.
- At least half of the 30 credit hours of course work must be at the 500 level.
- No more than three credit hours of the 30 credit hours of course work can be independent study.
- All students will complete seven credit hours of integrative studies thesis or non-thesis capstone work.
Required Courses
Applied Communication Studies
(3) ACS 500 Seminar in Communication Theory
(3) ACS 501 Communication Research Methods and Tools
(3) ACS 403 Organizational Communication Theory and Applications
Two courses from the following:
(3) ACS 510 Seminar in Group Communication
(3) ACS 511 Seminar in Intercultural Communication
(3) ACS 540 Survey of Organizational Communication Research
(3) ACS 541 Seminar in Organizational Culture
Sociology
(3) SOC 501 Survey of Theory
(3) SOC 515 Sociological Methods
(3) SOC 518 Advanced Data Analysis
Two courses from the following:
(3) SOC 411 Social Movements
(3) SOC 431 Employment and Workplace Change
(3) SOC 444 Gender, Ethnicity and Class in the Workplace
(3) SOC 474 Victims and Society
(3) SOC 502 Seminar in Intergroup Relations
(3) SOC 503 Seminar in Applied Sociology
(3) SOC 542 Seminar in Gender and Gender Inequality
Integrative Studies Capstone Project
(1) INTG 500 Proposal Development
(6) INTG 599 Thesis Research or (6) INTG 593 Final Project
Graduation Requirements
Students must conduct an oral defense of the thesis or project with an advisory committee consisting of a minimum of three graduate faculty. Each participating department must be represented.
Review the graduation policy for more information.
