The department offers five Certificates of Graduate Study in the following areas. A Graduate Certificates can be used to enhance your M.A. in Communication focusing on an area of specialization. The Certificates can also serve as stand-alone options for those who do not wish to pursue a full Master’s degree. If you already have a Master’s degree and want to use one of the Graduate Certificates to enhance your education and experience, a Graduate Certificate may be an excellent choice.
Certificate Program Requirements
Core Courses
Communication theory and research are the foundation of graduate study in the department. After being oriented to graduate study within the program, students are required to engage coursework in strategic communication theory and one course in methodology, qualitative or quantitative research methods in communication, prior to engaging any other coursework in the program.
Elective Courses
In addition to completing COM 8008: Orientation to Graduate Study, COM 8001: Qualitative Research Methods, or COM 8002: Quantitative Research Methods, and COM 8100: Strategic Communication Theory, students choose three electives from any of the following areas for a certificate in that designated area. Two of the electives must be communication courses.
Communication & Critical/Cultural Studies
Engages the critical study of communication and cultural practices and the social contexts of power within which discourses are produced, circulated, and consumed.
Required:
- COM 8319 - Cultural Studies
- COM 8212 - Communication & Advocacy
Electives (choose one):
- COM 8003 - Internship in Communication
- COM 8004 - Communication Directed Study
- COM 8005 - Communication Special Topics
- COM 8101 - Performance Studies
- COM 8204 - Conflict & Negotiation
- COM 8305 - Media Literacy
- COM 8307 - Visual Communication & Culture
- COM 8310 - New Media
- COM 8321 - Critical Studies in Advertising
- COM 8211 - Communication & Identity
- COM 8401 - Special Topics in Qualitative Research*
* One-credit seminar. May take two 1-credit courses along with Orientation (COM 8008) instead of a 3-credit elective course to fulfill degree requirements
Journalism & New Media
Engages the evolution and implications of reporting through digital communication from the key vantage points of users, consumers, producers (professionals and amateurs), and industries.
Required:
- COM 8304 – Journalism
- COM 8310 - New Media
Electives (choose one):
- COM 8003 - Internship in Communication
- COM 8004 - Communication Directed Study
- COM 8005 - Communication Special Topics
- COM 8101 - Performance Studies
- COM 8102 - Persuasion & Advocacy
- COM 8302 - Advertising
- COM 8303 - Mass Media Industries
- COM 8305 - Media Literacy
- COM 8306 - Media Production
- COM 8307 - Visual Communication & Culture
- COM 8308 – Theories & Effects of Mass Com
- COM 8309 - Public Opinion
- COM 8321 - Critical Studies in Advertising
- COM 8211 - Communication & Identity
- COM 8212 - Communication & Advocacy
- COM 8320 - Digital Media Design
- COM 8321 - Critical Studies in Advertising
- COM 8322 - Audience Analysis
- COM 8009 - Personal Promotion*
- COM 8011 - Health Promotion Messages*
- COM 8314 - Photoshop*
- COM 8315 - Video Shooting Lab*
- COM 8316 - Audio Production*
- COM 8317 - Basic Web Design*
- COM 8401 - Special Topics in Qualitative Research*
- COM 8402 - Special Topics in Quantitative Research*
* One-credit seminar. May take two 1-credit courses along with Orientation (COM 8008) instead of a 3-credit elective course to fulfill degree requirements
Mediated Communication
Engages the dynamic production, distribution, exhibition and consumption of communication by users, audiences, and media organizations.
Required:
- COM 8308 - Theories & Effects of Mass Com
or - COM 8305 - Media Literacy
AND
- COM 8306 – Media Production
or - COM 8320 – Digital Media Design
Electives (choose one):
- COM 8003 - Internship in Communication
- COM 8004 - Communication Directed Study
- COM 8005 - Communication Special Topics
- COM 8101 - Performance Studies
- COM 8211 - Communication & Identity
- COM 8212 - Communication & Advocacy
- COM 8302 - Advertising
- COM 8303 - Mass Media Industries
- COM 8305 - Media Literacy
- COM 8306 - Media Production
- COM 8307 - Visual Communication & Culture
- COM 8308 – Theories & Effects of Mass Com
- COM 8309 – Public Opinion
- COM 8320 - Digital Media Design
- COM 8321 - Critical Studies in Advertising
- COM 8322 - Audience Analysis
- COM 8011 - Health Promotion Messages*
- COM 8314 - Photoshop*
- COM 8315 - Video Shooting Lab*
- COM 8316 - Audio Production*
- COM 8317 - Basic Web Design*
- COM 8401 - Special Topics in Qualitative Research*
- COM 8402 - Special Topics in Quantitative Research*
* One-credit seminar. May take two 1-credit courses along with Orientation (COM 8008) instead of a 3-credit elective course to fulfill degree requirements
Organizational Communication & Leadership
Engages communication as a process occurring within organizations, as well as the role of communication and leadership in structuring relationships, values, identities, and cultures central to the organizing process.
Required:
- COM 8207 - Organizational Communication
Electives (choose two):
- COM 8003 - Internship in Communication
- COM 8004 - Communication Directed Study
- COM 8005 - Communication Special Topics
- COM 8101 - Performance Studies
- COM 8102 - Persuasion & Advocacy
- COM 8200 - Teambuilding and Small Group
- COM 8201 - Health Communication
- COM 8203 – Org. Research & Consulting
- COM 8204 - Conflict & Negotiation
- COM 8205 - Intercultural Communication
- COM 8206 - Diversity & Organizing
- COM 8211 - Communication & Identity
- COM 8212 - Communication & Advocacy
- COM 8011 - Health Promotion Messages*
- COM 8318 - Developing Crisis Communication Materials*
- COM 8401 - Special Topics in Qualitative Research*
- COM 8402 - Special Topics in Quantitative Research*
- COM 8403 - Special Topics in Applied Organizational Communication*
* One-credit seminar. May take two 1-credit courses along with Orientation (COM 8008) instead of a 3-credit elective course to fulfill degree requirements
Public Relations & Advertising
Engages theoretically based strategic communication designed to influence audience behavior in a variety of contexts.
Required:
- COM 8301 - Strategic Public Relations
and either
- COM 8208 - Public Communication Campaigns
or - COM 8300 - Public Relations Writing
Electives (choose one):
- COM 8003 - Internship in Communication
- COM 8004 - Communication Directed Study
- COM 8005 - Communication Special Topics
- COM 8101 - Performance Studies
- COM 8102 - Persuasion & Advocacy
- COM 8200 - Teambuilding and Small Group
- COM 8201 - Health Communication
- COM 8207 - Organizational Communication
- COM 8208 - Public Communication Campaigns
- COM 8209 - International Public Relations
- COM 8300 - Public Relations Writing
- COM 8302 - Advertising
- COM 8304 - Journalism
- COM 8305 - Media Literacy
- COM 8306 - Media Production
- COM 8320 - Digital Media Design
- COM 8321 - Critical Studies in Advertising
- COM 8211 - Communication & Identity
- COM 8212 - Communication & Advocacy
- COM 8322 - Audience Analysis
- COM 8009 - Personal Promotion
- COM 8011 - Health Promotion Messages*
- COM 8314 - Photoshop*
- COM 8315 - Video Shooting Lab*
- COM 8316 - Audio Production*
- COM 8317 - Basic Web Design*
- COM 8318 - Developing Crisis Communication Materials*
- COM 8401 - Special Topics in Qualitative Research*
- COM 8402 - Special Topics in Quantitative Research*
- COM 8403 - Special Topics in Applied Organizational Communication*
* One-credit seminar. May take two 1-credit courses along with Orientation (COM 8008) instead of a 3-credit elective course to fulfill degree requirements
Additional Notes:
As part of the certificate program students may choose to do only one of the following:
- 3 one-credit courses in communication or in an approved related field
or - COM 8003 - Internship in Communication
or - COM 8004 - Communication Directed Study
