Department of Communication Studies

Dr. Jennifer Lehr, Program Director

"Experience without theory is blind, but theory without experience is mere intellectual play"

Immanuel Kant

Producing critically informed and creative graduates who will be competitive contributors to a challenging global workplace.

The Master of Arts in Corporate and Organizational Communication presents the principles and practice of corporate and organizational communication through an innovative and integrated study of communication theory, policy and practice, all grounded in a liberal arts foundation. The program gives students the opportunity to study communication processes as they occur in the corporate and organizational context.

Offered by the Department of Communication Studies of the Becton College of Arts and Sciences, the program offers communication professionals an academically-based curriculum incorporating communication issues, skills and technology as they relate to public relations, marketing, media, professional writing and communication management. The program emphasizes development of skills in critical thinking, problem solving, oral presentation and writing.

The MA in Corporate and Organizational Communication balances the long and venerable tradition of communication research and scholarship with practical skills development allowing students to derive insights to the corporate and organizational world. Students also have the opportunity to study international corporate communication in England at FDU's Wroxton campus.

Students enrolled in the MA in Corporate and Organizational Communication will:

1. Study the nature of communication in the corporate context, and the nature of the corporation in the cultural context.
2. Learn how corporations use communication to create and establish brands, reputations and favorable public relations.
3. Explore strategies used by corporations to communicate with key publics, including consumers, investors, media and employees.
4. Develop and enrich personal strengths in strategic and critical thinking, ethics, writing and speaking.

By balancing the study of theory and practice, the program is excellent preparation for students:

• Looking to enhance their careers with knowledge that will apply directly to their working lives, or
• Interested in pursuing advanced degrees at the doctoral level in corporate and organizational communications

Curriculum Requirements

The MA in Corporate and Organizational Communication program requires the successful completion of 33 credits. Students complete four required core courses in Corporate Communication, Organizational Communication, Oral Presentation, and Research Methods. All students also must successfully complete a Master’s level thesis or a comprehensive examination.

To complete the remaining credits, students are offered a variety of elective courses to meet their individual needs and interests. Possible electives might include:

• Audiovisual Media
• Managerial Writing
• Crisis Communication
• Corporate Relations
• Creative Advertising
• Social Media, Communication, and Community
• Multimedia Journalism
• Communication and Change
• Issues in Media and Advertising

For the convenience of working professionals, all classes are held in the evening, on Saturdays, or through distance-learning via the World Wide Web.

You can learn more about the many facets of our program using the links to the left. I hope you find this Web site informative and useful. If you have any questions or require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Jennifer Lehr, Ph.D. 
Director
ccom.ga@gmail.com

or contact Graduate Admissions for details on how to apply