Communication Management Graduate Certificate Programs

Updated: Oct 12, 2024

Communication Management Graduate Certificates (sometimes known as Business Communications Management) are postgraduate programs taken after a relevant bachelor's and master's for those wishing to refine their broad qualifications into a niche. There are a few options across the US.

It is a great study option for comms professionals, MBA graduates, and any with professional qualifications and interests in business communications and public relations.

What Are the Online Communication Management Graduate Certificate Requirements?

A handful of US universities offer students the chance to study this graduate certificate. Admission criteria are typically as per the following:

A conferred and accredited bachelor's and master's degree in a relevant subject
Minimum 3.0 GPA on the 4.0 scale
Submit the application form along with the application fee
Submit a resume and academic transcripts
If English is not your first language, you will be required to prove proficiency through an accredited and authorized language course. IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are the most common, though DuoLingo is sometimes accepted
Letters of recommendation – two or three are normal. Academic sources are preferred, though employer letters (where relevant) may be substituted
A short essay in support of your application

What Type of Classes Are Included in the Online Communication Management Graduate Certificate Curriculum?

Communication Management Grad Cert Students will typically cover the following subject matters. Most colleges have mandatory courses and electives to tailor your studies:

Negotiation and Mediation
Communication in Society
Media Industry/Business Practices
Communication Consultation and Training
Communications Seminar
Effective Business Communications
Communication Methods

What Type of Career Can I Pursue with an Online Communication Management Graduate Certificate?

A Graduate Certificate in Communication Management provides many exciting opportunities career wise:

Communications Manager: You will be responsible for managing a team and overseeing all internal and external messaging. You will also develop strategies for communication and implement technologies.
Internal Communications: Communication management is primarily focused on ensuring information within the organization is relevant and adequate for effective operations between departments.
Media Researcher: There is less active communication in this role, but part of a communicator's job is also research and effective delivery. This will be your primary responsibility.
Public Affairs Consultant: Not attracted to the corporate world but want to work as an independent advisor? This type of career will be ideal for you, helping companies with specific projects
Public Relations Manager: Part of an organization's marketing is carefully managing its public perception. PR aims to raise a positive perception of a company and to manage any negative press.
Internal Policy Officer: Policy officers within an organization advise senior decision-makers about current policies and best practices and help to develop them.
Mediator: Business mediation is one career option you may not have considered, but communications are important to oversee organizational disagreements as a way to avoid court.