Organizational Communication for Leadership
Graduate Certificate
Online
Course Delivery
9
Total Credits
$893
Credit Hour
1 year
Minimum Duration
Program Overview
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences has the ability to leverage the collective strength of four of its departments to provide a pervasive training in 21st century digital communication. The online Graduate Certificate program, capitalizes our college's strengths in the use of new technology to engage learners around the world.
The marketplace has demand for sub-areas of expertise that would benefit working professionals wanting to upgrade their knowledge and skills. ComArtSci can now meet these needs through our Strategic Communication M.A. Certificate Program. We have created three, 9-credit certificates, providing a world-class professional development opportunity for individuals to enhance their communication skill set.
Program Outcomes
This certificate will help students expand their knowledge and skill sets as they relate communication change efforts, managing conflict, facilitating effective employee evaluations, motivating employees, and socializing new hires so they integrate into productive work teams. Graduates of the certification will be prepared to:
- Develop leadership skills for building consensus.
- Learn how to effectively manage conflict.
- Facilitate effective employee evaluations.
- Learn how to effectively build a team.
- Develop communication and leadership skills for implementing change efforts.
- Develop knowledge and facilitation skills for building a collaborative, entrepreneurial work climate.
Career Outlook
According to data from an October 2020 survey of current and former MSU StratCom students, half reported receiving a raise or promotion while in the program or after completing it. The average raise reported among the respondents was more than $14,000.
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings
Graduates of Organizational Communication for Leadership can expect job titles and median salaries similar to the following:
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings for Organizational Communication for Leadership Students
Target Occupation
National Median Salary (USD)
General and Operations Managers
$101,275
Management Analysts
$99,424
Financial Managers
$156,104
Financial and Investment Analysts
$99,008
Marketing Managers
$157,622
Disclaimer: Salary data is sourced from © 2025 Lightcast, based on information from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Please note that this information is intended solely for reference purposes. MSU Online disclaims any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the data.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Kelly Gaggin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Strategic Communication M.A. Program
Dr. Gaggin is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. She has more than two decades of experience in corporate and agency environments encompassing a multitude of industries including: education, health care, technology, defense, nonprofit, tourism/hospitality and financial services/banking.Her professional background and personal interest in world cultures motivate a research agenda rooted in exploring public relations and strategic communications as drivers of cross-cultural understanding and relationship-building with special attention to nonprofit organizations and the populations they serve. She earned a Ph.D. in mass communications and an M.S. in communications management from Syracuse University, and completed her undergraduate study in business administration, marketing and economics at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.
Course Information
Core
CAS 833 - Crisis Communication (3 Credits)
CAS 837 - Catalyst Thinking in the C-Suite (3 Credits)
CAS 838 - Organizational Communication for Leaders and Entrepreneurs (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience - CV/Résumé
- Academic Statement [one-page narrative of your academic journey]
- Personal Statement [one-page narrative or your personal journey. i.e. family, growing up, hobbies, etc.]
- 3 letters of recommendation - Please provide email addresses for your three recommenders. An email will be sent out to your recommenders providing them the information on where to go to submit their letters electronically so please be sure to list accurate information. The department will only accept letters submitted via the online system. The department will not accept letters submitted through any other format.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete the university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
We recruit cohorts of around 20 for fall, spring and summer semesters.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
November 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
April 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,137
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
Program Overview
The College of Communication Arts and Sciences has the ability to leverage the collective strength of four of its departments to provide a pervasive training in 21st century digital communication. The online Graduate Certificate program, capitalizes our college's strengths in the use of new technology to engage learners around the world.
The marketplace has demand for sub-areas of expertise that would benefit working professionals wanting to upgrade their knowledge and skills. ComArtSci can now meet these needs through our Strategic Communication M.A. Certificate Program. We have created three, 9-credit certificates, providing a world-class professional development opportunity for individuals to enhance their communication skill set.
Program Outcomes
This certificate will help students expand their knowledge and skill sets as they relate communication change efforts, managing conflict, facilitating effective employee evaluations, motivating employees, and socializing new hires so they integrate into productive work teams. Graduates of the certification will be prepared to:
- Develop leadership skills for building consensus.
- Learn how to effectively manage conflict.
- Facilitate effective employee evaluations.
- Learn how to effectively build a team.
- Develop communication and leadership skills for implementing change efforts.
- Develop knowledge and facilitation skills for building a collaborative, entrepreneurial work climate.
Career Outlook
According to data from an October 2020 survey of current and former MSU StratCom students, half reported receiving a raise or promotion while in the program or after completing it. The average raise reported among the respondents was more than $14,000.
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings
Graduates of Organizational Communication for Leadership can expect job titles and median salaries similar to the following:
Career Pathways and Potential Earnings for Organizational Communication for Leadership Students
Target Occupation
National Median Salary (USD)
General and Operations Managers
$101,275
Management Analysts
$99,424
Financial Managers
$156,104
Financial and Investment Analysts
$99,008
Marketing Managers
$157,622
Disclaimer: Salary data is sourced from © 2025 Lightcast, based on information from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Please note that this information is intended solely for reference purposes. MSU Online disclaims any responsibility or liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or errors in the data.
A Top-Ranked Education
- 63rd among Best Public Universities in America — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
- #8 Best Online Master's in Business Programs — U.S. News & World Report, 2025
Kelly Gaggin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Strategic Communication M.A. Program
Dr. Gaggin is an assistant professor in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations. She has more than two decades of experience in corporate and agency environments encompassing a multitude of industries including: education, health care, technology, defense, nonprofit, tourism/hospitality and financial services/banking.Her professional background and personal interest in world cultures motivate a research agenda rooted in exploring public relations and strategic communications as drivers of cross-cultural understanding and relationship-building with special attention to nonprofit organizations and the populations they serve. She earned a Ph.D. in mass communications and an M.S. in communications management from Syracuse University, and completed her undergraduate study in business administration, marketing and economics at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY.
Course Information
Core
CAS 833 - Crisis Communication (3 Credits)
CAS 837 - Catalyst Thinking in the C-Suite (3 Credits)
CAS 838 - Organizational Communication for Leaders and Entrepreneurs (3 Credits)
Admissions Requirements
To be accepted to this program, you must have:
- A bachelor's degree
- Previous work experience - CV/Résumé
- Academic Statement [one-page narrative of your academic journey]
- Personal Statement [one-page narrative or your personal journey. i.e. family, growing up, hobbies, etc.]
- 3 letters of recommendation - Please provide email addresses for your three recommenders. An email will be sent out to your recommenders providing them the information on where to go to submit their letters electronically so please be sure to list accurate information. The department will only accept letters submitted via the online system. The department will not accept letters submitted through any other format.
- Official transcripts from all previous schools
To apply to this program:
- Complete the university graduate application and pay the application fee.
- Submit all required materials to the application portal.
We recruit cohorts of around 20 for fall, spring and summer semesters.
Key Dates
Fall
Application Deadline
June 1st
Spring
Application Deadline
November 1st
Summer
Application Deadline
April 1st
Tuition & Fees per credit
In-State Tuition
Out-of-State Tuition
$893
$1,137
Cost of Attendance
The university reserves the right to make changes in the types, structures, rates for fees, and tuition. Every effort will be made to give as much advance notice as possible. In addition to tuition and fees, there are other expenses associated with your Cost of Attendance. A breakdown of a graduate student budget can be found here.
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MSU has been offering online degree programs for over 20 years. Our maturity is evident in the high quality of the learning experience enjoyed by our online students.
MSU provides programs and initiatives that support and enhance diversity. We will expand our campus and external partnerships to put in place inclusive recruitment and retention practices. We nurture and promote individuals’ varied experiences and perspectives, ensuring structures and processes make possible full participation by all members of our community.
MSU actively collaborates with campus and external partners to innovate across all dimensions of graduate education. We create and support networks that increase collaboration and improve educational opportunities for our online students.
MSU’s nationally recognized online programs foster student growth and well-being throughout their academic career. We will expand inclusive mentoring practices and accelerate improvement across units to implement evidence-based practices to ensure our students complete successfully.
Continuing education can be one of the most exciting, challenging, and rewarding experiences you undertake in your life. We hope you consider becoming a Spartan, to learn online and reach your career goals. With highly ranked online programs and exceptional professors, we educate students who advance the common good with uncommon will.