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:
- 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.
- Demonstrate appropriate and effective professional writing.
- 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.
- Demonstrate understanding of ethical values central to the communication discipline.
- Demonstrate appropriate and effective application of communication theory to oral communication practices.
- 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
Program Electives (Communication Courses) — 12 hours
| CST 502 | Social Media and Cultures | 3 |
| CST 511 | Communication Across Barriers | 3 |
| CST 516 | Negotiation and Conflict Management | 3 |
| CST 525 | Advanced Interpersonal Communication | 3 |
| CST 531 | Intercultural Communication and Identity | 3 |
| CST 581/BUS 581 | Advanced Business Communication | 3 |
| CST 591 | One Time Course Offering | Variable |
| CST 593 | Advanced Research | Variable |
| CST 599 | Thesis | Variable |
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 517 | Marketing for the Nonprofit Organization | 3 |
| BUS 520 | Applied Marketing Strategies | 3 |
| BUS 521 | Consumer Behavior | 3 |
| BUS 522 | Marketing Research | 3 |
| BUS 523 | Negotiation and Persuasion Strategies | 3 |
| BUS 524 | Brand Promotions Management | 3 |
| BUS 526 | Sustainability Marketing | 3 |
| BUS 544 | Managing Innovation and Technology | 3 |
| BUS 571 | New Venture Creation | 3 |
Human Resources Track
| BUS 511 | Cross-Cultural Management and Ethics | 3 |
| BUS 512 | Leadership and Higher Level Management | 3 |
| BUS 513 | Social Responsibility in Organizations | 3 |
| BUS 515 | Social Venture Management | 3 |
| BUS 523 | Negotiation and Persuasion Strategies | 3 |
| BUS 541 | Human Resource Management | 3 |
| BUS 544 | Managing Innovation and Technology | 3 |
Total Credit Hours: 36