Master of Arts in Organizational Communication

About the Program

The fully online master of arts in organizational communication from the Scripps College of Communication allows you to learn at your pace. This program is intended for students who are seeking an advanced academic degree that focuses on the critical examination and understanding of the role of communication within the processes of organizing, decision making, and problem solving. The skills and competencies you learn will launch you into the next professional level. You can even pick up a graduate-level credential that stacks toward your degree.

With its flexible format and our focus on helping you meet your goals, the program works for professionals across industries, whether you work in a communications-related field or in healthcare, public service, education, or the corporate world.

Earn your master's from the prestigious Scripps College of Communication — alma mater of more than 50 Pulitzer Prize winners.

Affinity Scholarships are available to OHIO alumni, as well as employees of our 50+ corporate partners, military active duty, and veterans. The 15% scholarship applies to instructional, program, and non-resident fees.

Benefits

• Fully online in a flexible format that works with your busy schedule
• Complete in as few as four semesters
• Low tuition and fees ($15,840 Ohio, $16,410 non-Ohio)
• No GRE required for admission

Curriculum

To complete the 30 credit hours required to earn the master’s degree, you’ll take two 4-credit hour courses, Measurement Methodology in Communication (COMS 6100) and Communicative Processes in Organizations (COMS 7220) as well as a 6-credit hour capstone experience (COMS (COMS 6960). Your remaining 16 credits will come from COMS electives and/or our stackable graduate certificates.

View All Coursework

Optional Stackable Graduate Certificates

If you’d like to complete a graduate certificate as part of your master of arts in organizational communication degree, you can select one certificate below and then enroll in one additional COMS elective to complete your elective coursework (16 credit hours).

• Communication and Change — While most of us resist change, we cannot deny that it's an inevitability in life. This certificate allows you to focus on communicative strategies to help guide your organization through transition when it comes and ensure that organizational members are prepared to pivot and adapt to disruptions to their routines.
• Crisis Communication — Prepare to guide your organization and communicate before, within, and after a crisis using proven crisis communication techniques and social media expertise.
• Strategic Communication Management — Prepare to oversee advertising and public relations programs and work more efficiently in in-house and external agencies.
• Team Leadership and Communication — Help your organization make the most of its members and provide the best workplace experience. With this certificate, you'll build practical skills in relationship building, conflict management, team building, understanding diverse perspectives and communication styles, and decision-making processes.

Don’t know which topics are right for you? Contact program advisor Laura Costa dos Santos to determine which of these certificates will best help you meet your goals.

Program outcomes

Upon completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Recognize communication issues that impact organizational effectiveness
• Describe and apply theories and principles to analyze communication issues in a variety of contemporary organizational contexts
• Conduct reviews of scholarly and existing research in communication studies
• Demonstrate advanced written communication skills
• Apply quantitative methods for analyzing communication issues
• Demonstrate effective team communication skills

Costs and Financial Aid

Tuition and fees are assessed based on the number of credit hours of enrollment, Ohio residency and program.

• See Graduate Tuition and Fees