The Aalto University School of Business is the only Finnish higher education institution where students can obtain a Master of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree majoring in Communication. The degree combines economics and communication.
This combination is quite rare even globally and attracts students from other institutions to Aalto University. As a result of the degree reform, the offering of the Department of Communication has been improved and as of the autumn of 2013 students will also be able to obtain a Bachelor of Science (Economics and Business Administration) degree majoring in Communication. Specialising in communication in the master's degree programme has been possible for a long time.
Reform to meet needs of society
This autumn, a total of 270 students completed a basic course in corporate communication as a part of their bachelor’s studies at the School of Business.
‘The reform is the school’s way of meeting the needs of society: the need for communication competence is increasing and the significance of communication is growing in all areas of business,’ says Professor Leena Louhiala-Salminen.
The school is keeping up to date in its education and the studies in communication currently include courses on subjects such as the change in media.
‘Communication is one of the foundations of business and an important part of strategic management. It is needed in all professions. The employment rate of communication professionals has been good and businesses often contact the department to enquire about potential trainees and submit job advertisements,’ says Senior University Lecturer Marja-Liisa Kuronen who is in charge of the specialisation studies in communication.
Bachelor’s degree studies to improve visibility of subject
Eeva Tähtinen came to Aalto University from the University of Turku to attend the Master’s Degree Programme in Corporate Communication because a similar programme was not available at any other university. Eeva is satisfied with the courses provided by the school.According to her, the fact that specialisation studies in communication are available for bachelor's degree students will increase the visibility of the subject among students.
The School of Business has an established tradition of teaching communication skills: it was possible to study Finnish at the school a hundred years ago and communication skills were also part of the curriculum. Communication was established as a separate subject in 1977.
Communication is also available as a minor subject at the School of Business. It is now possible to specialise in communication at the bachelor’s, master’s and doctor’s degree level.
Video about MSc programme in Corporate Communication:
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