Graduate Certificate
Professional Workplace Communication Certificate
What exactly is workplace communication?
Beyond emails, meetings and those informal hallway discussions, workplace communication is the hidden element within every organization that brings people and ideas together. It's the dimension of any workplace that explores the human side of organizations – and helps facilitate your career success.
How will the KU Professional Workplace Communication Certificate help my career?
The KU Professional Workplace Communication Certificate takes you beyond the numbers to understand what really makes organizations tick – the everyday communication practices we too often take for granted. You’ll learn how to craft messages, share information and build relationships in ways that create greater understanding--both internally and externally. Skills taught apply to communicating with internal peers, teams, managers, and leaders – as well as external stakeholders such as customers, vendors, partners, regulators, and media.
These workplace communication competencies are at the core of effective decision-making, team-building, problem-solving, and crisis-resolution practices. You'll learn how and when to ask the bigger-picture questions that improve communication within your organization – and help advance your career.
All courses for KU's Professional Workplace Communication Certificate are taught through the KU Edwards Campus in Overland Park, Kansas. All courses can be completed online. Visit the program web page to learn more.
What is the curriculum for the Professional Workplace Communication graduate certificate?
The Certificate in Professional Workplace Communication consists of two required core courses and two electives of your choice (a total of 12 credit hours).
The two required courses are COMS 811: Applied Organizational Communication and COMS 730: Writing & Speaking for Decision Makers.
COMS 811 provides an overview of topics within the field of workplace communication. This includes examining the ways organizational structures ranging from bureaucracy to the emerging gig economy influence communication flows and one’s sense of professional identity, to topics like organizational socialization processes, conflict prevention & management, diversity & inclusion in organizations, change management, stakeholder identification and communication, and workplace power dynamics.
COMS 730 is a graduate level business writing and presentation design & delivery course. This course helps you identify workplace stakeholders and craft verbal and written messages that resonate with these different groups – from peers to leaders, clients and regulators – and turn them into advocates for your ideas.
In addition to these two required courses, you can pick two electives designated with the COMS 930 course number, featuring topics like Communicating for Inclusion, Organizational Culture and Communication, Change Management Communication, and Organizational Socialization Practices. [blue indicates link to Master’s curriculum page]
One required course and one elective is offered each semester (with one elective offered each summer).
Ready to get started?
For all of the reasons listed above, the KU Professional Workplace Communication Certificate is a popular choice for working professionals with demanding schedules.
- 8-week classes allow flexibility
- Can be completed in 1 year or less, for those who desire to do so
- Requires 12 credit hours
- No GRE requirement. View admissions requirements.
- All classes are in the evening for the convenience of students working full-time
- KCMetro residents pay in-state tuition if they live in any of these 11 Missouri counties.
Next steps to get started:
Contact:
Liz Barton
Academic Success Coach
Phone: 913-897-8521
Email: bartonliz@ku.edu