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Communication Master's

"One thing that I think really stands out...the professors allow you to tailor the content to fit with what you want to do."

— Nicole Rogers

Communication Course Descriptions

36 semester credits are required to complete the Master's in Communication & Leadership Studies.

Communication Courses

COML 500 Organizational Leadership

Drawing on material from various social science disciplines, this integrated course focuses on research and models of leadership relevant to defining and achieving collective goals in a variety of organizational settings.

COML 501 Communication and Organizational Research

Study of the inquiry process, emphasizing research design and methodologies appropriate to investigation of organizational dynamics and human behavior; both qualitative and quantitative methods are explored.

COML 502 Leadership and Imagination

An examination of creativity through analysis of leadership themes in literature, drama, biography, and the arts; emphasizes the role of imagination in forming cultural images and perceptions of leaders and their functions.

COML 503 Communication and Organizational Ethics

Inquiry into the philosophic foundations of interpersonal relations and values in organizational contexts with emphasis on applications of ethical systems to the responsibilities of people in organizations toward society and individuals.

COML 504 Organizational Communication and Leadership

This course explores contemporary concepts about the meanings and functions of communication in organizations. All organizations - from Microsoft, to churches, to social clubs, and universities - rely on communication, and being able to communicate strategically is crucial to meaningful participation in every one of them. Organizational communication encompasses not only communication within businesses, but also within large private or nonprofit associations, larger community groups, and government both large and small. We cover such selected topics in organizational communication research, such as culture, socialization, systems theory, communication and technology, and globalization.

COML 505 Organizational Theory

This course serves as an introduction to the study of organizations. Students are exposed to a synthesis and integration of major traditions in organizational theory. Emphasis is placed on grounding in theoretical concepts and their practical applications so students can learn to understand the chaotic and constantly changing world of organizations.

COML 506 Seminar in International and Intercultural Communication

This course examines theories and issues in international and intercultural communication that impact global, national and regional organizations. Practical application of organizational leadership in the context of diversity will be explored through a lens of culture, ethnicity, race, gender orientation and disability awareness. Additionally this course examines issues in global media and globalization.

COML 508 Theorizing Communication

This course investigates the major social scientific theories of communications, with emphasis on understanding theorizing as a process of constructing visions of reality. Students develop the ability to analyze critically the underlying assumptions of theoretical models of communications. Additionally, we explore the advanced study of relationship between communication, media language, and human perception. Writers studied include: Plato, Aristotle, Kenneth Burke, Marshall McLuhan and Walter Ong.

COML 509 Social Dynamics of Communication Technologies

Does communication technology cause social change or do social factors cause change in communication technologies? Examination of relationships between mass media and community and computers and the self.

COML 511 Seminar in Communication Consulting and Training

This seminar is about communication training and consulting. Based on communication theory and research, our goal is to understand and explore the factors that help communication effectiveness in organizational settings and develop your rhetorical skills to become effective trainers and consultants. Organizations need to stay competitive in modern societies; companies must attract and retain, train and retrain the best employees. This training and retraining is done through both internal and external trainers and consultants. Explores issues in starting your own consulting practice.

COML 512 Seminar in Strategic and Corporate Communication

Using communication theory and public relations practices, this seminar focuses on strategic and corporate communication in profit and not-for-profit corporate settings.

COML 513 Seminar in Advanced Topics in Communication

The specific theme of this course varies each time it is offered because communication is constantly evolving. Some would say we are in the fourth communication revolution in the history of human experience. This seminar explores cutting edge new technologies, theory, and issues. Course repeatable for up to six credits.

COML 514 Seminar in Advanced Criticism

This seminar is intended to help students understand the value of media criticism and to develop the standards, outlook and technique that will allow them to criticize capably not only the standard "media" - journalism and broadcasting - but also theater, movies, dance, art, music, political speech and architecture. All of these are the means by which social and cultural messages are transmitted to the public. Each of these media has its own special requirements, but they also have common aspects.

COML 515 Seminar in Interpersonal and Small Group Communication

The focus on this seminar is on the current literature about communication in interpersonal relationships. Seminar participants consider aspects of relational communication problems and strategic interpersonal communication.

COML 516 Seminar in Media Literacy

Media literacy is developing an understanding of the mass media, both form and function: the techniques they use, the ideologies they carry, the business motivations that drive them and the artistic expressions reached. This seminar examines the implications of several forms of communication on how we live and what we believe. Impact of mass media on modern societies, conflicting social interest, and the needs of different groups in society. Formation of public opinion, diffusion of innovation, and the nature of propaganda.

COML 517 Communication Practicum: Speech

This practicum is designed to merge theory and praxis and provide practical application of communication knowledge and action with a focus on public speaking and group processes. Team members will give two speeches and participate in a group session. One of the speeches will be video-taped.

COML 518 Communication Practicum: Writing

This practicum is designed to merge theory and praxis and provide practical application of communication knowledge and action with a focus on written communication. The focus on writing skills will include organizing, writing first and last drafts, and editing.

COML 519 Communication Practicum: Multi Media

This practicum is designed to merge theory and praxis and provide practical application of communication knowledge and action with a focus on creation of multi-media products. This course will include web-page creation that include the use of voice and video components.

COML 520 Graduate Internship

The Graduate Internship is designed for students who enter the degree program without prior practical work in the communications industries, or are looking for updating their in situ knowledge of communication practices.

COML 680 Seminar or Thesis

The Master of Arts Program in Communication and Leadership Studies prepares students broadly for professional advancement or for doctoral studies. Depending on their goals and background, M.A. students may be admitted into a thesis or non-thesis course of study.
Option A (thesis): This option is designed for students who want to focus on a particular area of research in which they want to explore and develop a depth of understanding and scholarship. It is highly recommended for those students who are considering further doctoral work, careers in higher education, or the communications industries.
Option B (non thesis): This option is designed for students who seek advanced professional preparation with an academic foundation. There are two basic components to this capstone experience: first, peer evaluation and discussion of readings, research projects, and internships under the direction of the seminar leader; second, a class community service project which requires application of organizational leadership skills.

Leadership Elective (3 credits)

Any Organizational Leadership (ORGL) course can be used to meet this elective. Talk with your Program Manager regarding which one would help in your degree goals.

To learn more about our online communication masters, request more information or call us today at (866) 295-3105 to learn more about our online Master's in Communication and Leadership Studies.