Management Communication, M.S.

The M.S. in management communication degree requires a minimum of 36 credit hours of communication and business courses. A thesis (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.

Management Communication M.S. Requirements — 36 credit hours

Core Courses — 12 credit hours

CST 500	Research and Writing	3
CST 510	Communication Theory	3
CST 533	Critical Perspectives on Work, Labor, and Organizing	3
CST 534	Researching Organizational Life: Identity, Culture, Voice	3

Program Electives: Communication Courses — 12 credit hours

Select from the following:

CST 502	Social Media and Cultures	3
CST 503	Communication Law	3
CST 511	Communication Across Barriers	3
CST 516	Negotiation and Conflict Management	3
CST 525	Radical Relationships: Love, Care, Grief	3
CST 531	Intercultural Communication and Identity	3
CST 532	Gender and International Development	3
CST 535	Advanced Visual Persuasion	3
CST 545	Cinema Storytelling and Cultural Persuasion	3
CST 552	Public Affairs Reporting	3
CST 553/CST 453	Multimedia Journalism	3
CST 581/BUS 581	Advanced Business Communication	3
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.

One time course offerings, designated CST 591, may fulfill the elective requirements. Please confirm eligible yearly course offerings with the program director.

Thesis Option

If a student chooses to write a thesis, 3-6 credit hours of CST electives may be used for the thesis, CST 599.

Program Electives: Business Courses — 12 credit hours

In consultation with their graduate program advisor, students select twelve credit hours of business electives from the following:

One time course offerings, designated BUS 591, may fulfill the business elective requirements. Please confirm eligible yearly course offerings with the program director. BUS 591 electives taught in the past include: Strategy and Competition in the Experiential Economy, Creativity, Innovation and Human Centered Design, Designing Innovative Brands that Resonate with Customers, Gaining Customer Insights: Qualitative and Ethnographic Research Methods.

Human Resources Track

Select four courses from the following:

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

One time course offerings, designated BUS 591, may fulfill the elective requirements. Please confirm eligible yearly course offerings with the program director.

Public Relations/Advertising Track