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 2019 LinkedIn and Forbes reports, some of the most desired skills of employees are:

• Creativity 
  
• Persuasion 
  
• Analytical reasoning 
  
• Social media marketing 
  
• Journalism 
  
• Digital marketing 
  
• Corporate communications 
  

The MSU StratCom program helps meet these marketplace demands with courses in areas of organizational leadership and communication, media analytics and digital media. You can pursue a graduate certificate in one of these areas or a full M.A.