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Indiana University Online
  • Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    18
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $350.00
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $490.00

Communication Studies

Graduate Certificate

What you study

The IU Online Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies provides graduate-level instruction in communication strategies, practices, and techniques. Gain practical communication skills needed in professional, academic, and personal contexts, such as presenting information, arguing a position, promoting a cause, presenting information via social media, designing targeted messages, and managing relations and conflicts.

How you benefit

Develop innovative strategies for teaching communication, employ effective and ethical communication practices, and apply critical perspectives to production and consumption of media messages.

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IUPUI, IU East, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. 

See courses that are being offered this semester.

The Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies is ideal for those who want to teach dual-credit courses and who need to meet Higher Learning Commission dual-credit qualification standards. These standards require teachers wanting to teach dual-credit courses to hold either a master's degree in their area of instruction or a master's degree in another discipline (such as education), plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.

  • If you hold a master's degree in another discipline, you can meet HLC standards by completing the 18 credit hour Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies. 
  • If you plan to pursue the  IU Online Master of Liberal Studies, you may apply the 18 credit hours from the Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies toward the master's degree.

Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies prepares you for such careers as:

  • Communication dual-credit teacher (high school) 
  • Communication instructor (community college)
  • Communication professional in an organization or institution

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Communication Studies, you must complete 18 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows: 

  • Communication pedagogy course (3 cr. hours)
  • Communication in context courses (9 cr. hours)
  • Communication in media course (3 cr. hours)
  • Communication elective course (3 cr. hours)

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

  • A bachelor's degree 
  • 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale

To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes:

  • Official transcripts
  • 250-word statement that briefly describes your background and goals for entering this degree program

Application Dates

Fall semester: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer 1 semester: May 1

Summer 2 semester: Jun 15

ALL core courses are listed here. You will select from among these courses to fulfill degree requirements.

Core
CMCL-C 502 or SPCH-S 500 Intro to Communication Theory 3 Credits
COMM-C 592 or CMCL-C 592 Advanced Health Communication 3 Credits
SPCH-S 633 Studies in Interpersonal Communication 3 Credits
CMCL-C 545 Communication Pedagogy 3 Credits
CMCL-C 594 Communication and Conflict Management in Organizations 3 Credits
CMCL-C 606 Media Criticism 3 Credits
CMCL-C 610 Identity and Difference 3 Credits
COMM-C 510 Health Provider-Consumer Communication 3 Credits
COMM-C 528 Group Communication and Organizations 3 Credits
COMM-C 544 Advanced Relational Communication 3 Credits
COMM-C 582 Advanced Intercultural Communication 3 Credits
COMM-C 593 Family Communication 3 Credits
SPCH-S 500 Intro to Grad Studies and Research 3 Credits
SPCH-S 627 Studies in Cross-Cultural Communication 3 Credits
SPCH-S 640 Studies in Organizational Communication 3 Credits

Find course descriptions with our Search Schedule of Classes/Courses tool.

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $350.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1050.00
Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $490.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1470.00
Note: 

-Additional fees will apply.


-This program is ineligible for financial aid.

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