Management Communication, M.S.

This degree requires a minimum of 36 hours of communication and business courses. A thesis option (with related oral defense) is optional. Students must complete the core course requirements with a minimum B average.

Learning Outcomes:

Students who successfully complete all requirements for a master’s degree in the Department of Communication Studies should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate skilled analysis of communication theory and praxis within the dimensions (ethical, social, legal, technological, relational, and/or cultural) most key to the student’s chosen primary program focus.
  2. Demonstrate appropriate and effective professional writing.
  3. Demonstrate skilled independent decision-making relative to communication research and analysis, including abilities to conduct, interpret, and evaluate the quality of research and analytic designs.
  4. Demonstrate understanding of ethical values central to the communication discipline.
  5. Demonstrate appropriate and effective application of communication theory to oral communication practices.
  6. Demonstrate ability to integrate communication and business scholarship to solve organizational problems.

Performance Indicators:

  • Ability to speak in public settings.
  • Ability to synthesize communication theories and skills with knowledge about business in marketing or human resources.
  • Ability to diagnose and address leadership, team building, interpersonal challenges in work settings.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses — 12 hours

CST 500Research and Writing

3

CST 510Communication Theory

3

CST 533Advanced Organizational Communication

3

CST 534Organizational Culture

3

Program Electives (Communication Courses) — 12 hours

CST 502Social Media and Cultures

3

CST 511Communication Across Barriers

3

CST 516Negotiation and Conflict Management

3

CST 525Advanced Interpersonal Communication

3

CST 531Intercultural Communication and Identity

3

CST 581/BUS 581Advanced Business Communication

3

CST 591One Time Course Offering

Variable

CST 593Advanced Research

Credit arranged.

CST 599Thesis

Credit arranged.

CST 581, Advanced Business Communication must be completed unless the student can demonstrate professional level competence in business communication. With the approval of the advisor, other courses in communication and business may be substituted for those listed.

Program Electives (Business Courses) — 12 hours

Students will select (in consultation with their graduate program advisor) twelve hours of business electives from the following:

Public Relations/Advertising Track

BUS 517Marketing for Nonprofit Organization

3

BUS 520Applied Marketing Strategies

3

BUS 521Consumer Behavior

3

BUS 522Marketing Research

3

BUS 523Negotiation and Persuasion Strategies

3

BUS 524Brand Promotions Management

3

BUS 526Sustainability Marketing

3

BUS 544Managing Innovation and Technology

3

BUS 571New Venture Management

3

Human Resources Track

BUS 511Cross-Cultural Management

3

BUS 512Leadership and Higher Level Management

3

BUS 513Social Responsibility in Organizations

3

BUS 515Social Venture Management

3

BUS 523Negotiation and Persuasion Strategies

3

BUS 541Human Resource Management

3

BUS 544Managing Innovation and Technology

3

Total Credit Hours: 36