Communication Sciences & Disorders :: Graduate: Health Communication

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MA in Health Communication

The master's degree program in health communication at Emerson is the only one of its kind. Grounded in theories of communication and the study of perceptions of illness and disease, it provides graduates with the knowledge and skills they will need to effectively inform, influence, and motivate private and public audiences about important health concerns. Students learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate health information and disease prevention campaigns; advocate for health policy initiatives; and manage health-care delivery systems and incorporate effective communication skills into client-provider interactions.

A unique feature of the program is its collaboration with Tufts University School of Medicine. Health communication students matriculating at Emerson benefit from the strategic Emerson-Tufts partnership in a number of ways. First, by taking classes from faculty at both schools, students have access to the resources of two institutions with complementary strengths in communication and medical sciences. Second, the collaboration gives students the flexibility they need to develop a specialization that meets their own professional interests, drawing upon Emerson's focused resources in marketing, advertising, organizational and interpersonal communications and related disciplines. Finally, upon completion of the program, graduates become part of the extensive Emerson-Tufts health communication alumni network. For additional information about the program, contact Dr. Timothy Edgar, Graduate Program Director for Health Communication.

Program Requirements

The Master of Arts degree in Health Communication requires successful completion of 40 credits, including 16 credits of the Emerson-Tufts core, an additional 8 credits of required courses (focusing on research and a capstone experience, the Applied Learning Experience) and 16 credits of electives (a maximum of 8 credits of elective courses may be taken at Tufts.

Emerson College-Tufts University School of Medicine Core

Course Code	Course Information
MH614	Applications of Communication Theory to Health Communication 4.00 Credits Health communication is primarily concerned with the role of theory, research, and practice in health promotion, education, and delivery. Students will investigate provider-patient interaction, social support networks, health information systems, medical ethics, mass media, health policy, and health promotion and disease prevention. Students will learn about the integral nature of communication in health including: the role communication plays in shaping individuals' social and cultural expectations and beliefs about health, how such information may influence people to think differently about health and affect behavioral change, and how communication vehicles may be used to redefine and change public policy about health and health behavior. Students can expect to learn through assigned readings, cases and projects, exams, and class interaction.
MH651	Media Strategies for the Health Professional 4.00 Credits Students develop an understanding of the strategic use of the media by health communicators in message development and communication strategy execution. Students also explore the ethical concerns of health care professionals who utilize the media. Students learn how to develop effective health communication campaigns that bring about behavioral change among target audiences and influence health policy issues at the local, state, national, and international level. In addition, students learn how to develop evaluation techniques for health communication strategies.

Course Code

Course Information

MH614

Applications of Communication Theory to Health Communication

MH651

Media Strategies for the Health Professional

MHTU1	Introduction to Medicine (4 credits)
MHTU2	Epidemiology and Biostatistics (4 credits)
(MHTU courses are offered through Tufts University School of Medicine. Students will register for them through Emerson College.)

Research and Capstone Requirement

Course Code	Course Information
MH604	Introduction to Research Methods 4.00 Credits This course is organized around the research process whereby students learn how to formulate a research question and define a research problem, decide upon a research design, assess data collection methods, define a sampling frame, determine types of data analyses, interpret data appropriately, and prepare a research report. Topics in both qualitative and quantitative research methods will be included. In addition, students will gain an understanding of the importance of research in the development of communication strategies.
MH655	Applied Learning Experience for Health Communication 4.00 Credits A capstone experience for students completing the Health Communication program. Students conduct research and develop and implement a communication plan to address the needs of a health-related organization in the greater Boston area. Projects may include the creation of training modules for health professionals, patient education, health information dissemination, policy advocacy, and the like. Students produce a final report that may include, among other items, a problem statement, literature review, results of needs assessment or other research, the communication plan, and examples of the plan's media/creative execution. (Prerequisites: MH604, MH614, MH651, MHTU1, MHTU2. One of the five prerequisites can be taken concurrently with the Applied Learning Experience.)

Course Code

Course Information

MH604

Introduction to Research Methods

MH655

Applied Learning Experience for Health Communication

The Applied Learning Experience (MH655) is the capstone course of the program, providing students with an opportunity to practice and display the knowledge and skills acquired throughout their studies in the completion of a real-world health communication project.

Electives

Students may choose elective courses in order to specialize in areas that fit their career goals. The content areas and course options listed below are not exhaustive. A student should consult with the Graduate Program Director to choose electives that are consistent with the student's career goals.

Social Marketing

Course Code	Course Information
MH617	Consumer Behavior 4.00 Credits Students investigate comprehensive, multidisciplinary, and theoretical views of consumer behavior and apply these to marketing communication contexts. Integrated Marketing Communication plans require sophisticated consumer behavior analyses that facilitate segmentation, targeting, and positioning efforts. Students learn about the determinants of consumer behavior through the application of theories from disciplines such as communication, marketing, cultural anthropology, economics, sociology, and psychology. Case studies, exercises, and research will help students to understand the complexity of consumer behavior given intrapersonal, interpersonal, and situational influences.
MH627	Interactive and e-Communication 4.00 Credits Students learn how to communicate on the Internet and examine the differences between traditional media vehicles and the Internet within the context of strategic communication. Students explore how communication has changed given media and delivery system convergence as well as market democratization. Ethical and legal parameters of technology-based communication will also be covered in this course. (Co-requisites: MH 610, MH 618.)
MH630	Advertising, Sales Promotion, and Publicity Management 4.00 Credits Students explore the roles of advertising, sales promotion, and publicity in the Integrated Marketing Communication mix. Students learn to develop and manage advertising campaigns, including evaluation of said campaigns. In addition, students investigate how to use sales promotion to bring about behavioral change in the contexts of consumer and trade promotion. In addition, students learn how to generate and manage publicity. Students evaluate the legal and ethical issues surrounding these marketing communication efforts. (Co-requisite: MH 610.)
MH652	Social Marketing 4.00 Credits Social Marketing is a course that focuses on changing the voluntary behaviors of a society (e.g., smoking cessation, diet, and exercise habits). Students learn how to apply marketing techniques and concepts to social contexts like preventive health, education, and politics. As part of their course requirements, students must complete a marketing audit of a not-for-profit organization involved in social marketing. In addition, cases and exercises allow students to develop their skills and knowledge in this area.
MH690	Internship in Health Communication 0.00 Credits This internship requires students to secure positions in organizations where they will gain experience in Health Communication. Students must meet with site supervisors and internship coordinators throughout their internships and complete reports regarding their experiences during and at the completion of their internships. All students must participate in a mandatory internship orientation the semester before the internship. This is through the Career Services Office.

Health Care Organizations

Course Code	Course Information
OP601	Organizational Communication: Theory and Application 4.00 Credits This course is designed to present a survey of organizational communication theories along with the knowledge and skills necessary for effective applications. Students gain the ability to recognize, assess, and, when necessary, improve communication within and organization. Special emphasis is given to both the individual as a communicator and the entire organization as a communicating entity.
OP604	Strategic Planning and the Managerial Process 4.00 Credits This course focuses on how organizations function as systems with special emphases placed on the basic principles of management, strategic planning, decision making, and implementation. Concepts covered include vision, mission, goals, objectives, strategies, tactics, and operations. Organizational communication, the humanistic perspective, ethics, and productivity, in both profit and non-profit environments, are continuing themes throughout this course.
OP606	Strategic Communication and Leadership Development 4.00 Credits This course emphasizes the skills leaders need to be successful persuaders. Students will learn how to build credibility within organizations and exert influence with external audiences, and to apply techniques of strategic communication in such areas as employee relations, managerial innovation, speechwriting, and external fundraising. They will learn to identify and appraise audiences, craft messages appropriately and strategically, and evaluate the effectiveness of the messages they produce.
OP626	Crisis Communication 4.00 Credits Students learn about the development of organizational and marketing communication strategies in crisis situations. Using case studies and fieldwork, students focus on the importance of internal communication and media relations during a crisis. Students also investigate preventive strategies that organizations should employ to avoid crises.
OP628	Entrepreneurship and Creative Problem Solving 4.00 Credits Entrepreneurship is the process of creating value by bringing together a unique package of resources to exploit an opportunity. Students learn about the concepts and characteristics of entrepreneurship. Students will investigate the key dimensions of entrepreneurial attitudes and behaviors that include: innovativeness, risk-taking, and proactiveness. Case studies are utilized to help students employ concepts from the course and develop their own creative and critical thinking, as well as problem solving skills.
OP634	Leadership and Social Corporate Responsibility 4.00 Credits Based on the premise that a leader cannot delegate the reputation of the organization, this course explores the role the leader must play for public affairs and stakeholder relations to be successful. Students will role play both the leader and the communication advisor in a series of simulations that highlight the difference in public and private institutions in society, as well as the leader's responsibility to balance stakeholders with competing needs. Case studies will highlight leadership in public-private partnerships to address community, national, and global issues. Students will produce and present at least one communication strategy for a specific leader and will develop at least one public-private partnership proposal.
MH620	Public Relations Management 4.00 Credits Students explore the role of public relations in the Integrated Marketing Communication mix. Students learn how to construct a public relations plan that requires them to analyze and interpret public opinion and attitudes that might impact the operations and plans of an organization, develop programs of action and communication to achieve public understanding (e.g., financial, media, or government relations), establish objectives, detail a budget, and describe evaluation techniques for measuring the impact of the public relations efforts. In this course, students are involved in developing all aspects of a plan, including constructing press releases and developing public service announcements, using case studies or field application. (Co-requisite: MH 610.)
MH690	Internship in Health Communication 0.00 Credits This internship requires students to secure positions in organizations where they will gain experience in Health Communication. Students must meet with site supervisors and internship coordinators throughout their internships and complete reports regarding their experiences during and at the completion of their internships. All students must participate in a mandatory internship orientation the semester before the internship. This is through the Career Services Office.

Health Writing

Course Code	Course Information
JR602	Introduction to Print and Multimedia Journalism 4.00 Credits This intensive writing course introduces students to writing for print and online media. Students develop interviewing and other reporting skills, including research using the Internet. They apply these skills in writing accurate, concise stories on deadline. The course also introduces students to the legal, ethical and technological issues that affect print and online journalism.
JR603	Introduction to Broadcast Journalism 4.00 Credits This intensive writing course introduces students to the practice of broadcast journalism. Students write stories for radio and television news and produce radio news reports. A weekly lab period will be held in addition to the regular class meeting. Students develop interviewing, reporting and writing skills, and are introduced to the legal, ethical and technological issues that affect broadcast journalism.
JR611	Television News Producing 4.00 Credits This is a lab course designed to give students the real-time experience of a television news operation. Students put together a 15-minute newscast each class, rotating through all the jobs necessary to put a newscast on the air. They learn how to write scripts, edit video to tell a story, organize a newscast rundown, and coordinate elements for effective storytelling. Students also learn to work together as a broadcast news team. (Prerequisite: JR 600 or Permission of Instructor.)
JR613	Electronic News Gathering/Reporting 4.00 Credits Working in the field, students research, shoot, write, and edit television news stories. Special emphasis is placed on developing reporting and interviewing skills, visual acuity, writing for the eye and ear, and general TV performance abilities. Students also learn the technical aspects of ENG shooting and reporting. (Prerequisite: JR 600 or Permission of Instructor.)
JR694	Journalism Topics 4.00 Credits Topics explore various aspects of journalism theory and practice. This is reserved for courses being introduced on a one-time or developmental basis. (Prerequisite will vary with topic.)
MH621	Writing for Marketing Communication 4.00 Credits This course exposes students to a comprehensive survey of writing techniques for public relations, publicity, and public affairs activities. Students learn how to improve their writing of news releases, brochures, speeches, organizational publications (e.g., annual reports), copywriting, and public service announcements. Intensive writing exercises will be employed to help students achieve their goals. (Co-requisite: MH 610.)
MH690	Internship in Health Communication 0.00 Credits This internship requires students to secure positions in organizations where they will gain experience in Health Communication. Students must meet with site supervisors and internship coordinators throughout their internships and complete reports regarding their experiences during and at the completion of their internships. All students must participate in a mandatory internship orientation the semester before the internship. This is through the Career Services Office.

Tufts University Electives

The following Health Communication courses are offered through Tufts University. This is an abridged list. Not all courses are offered each year, and for some courses there is limited enrollment. A maximum of 8 elective credits may be taken at Tufts.

MHTU	Provider-Patient Interaction (4 credits)
MHTU	Introduction to Public Health (4 credits)
MHTU	Communicating Risk (4 credits)
MHTU	Ethics in Health Communication (4 credits)
MHTU	Health Behavior and Health Communication (4 credits)
MHTU	Public Health and Health Care Delivery Systems (4 credits)
MHTU	New Technologies in Health Communication (2 credits)