The Master of Arts in Professional Communication degree is designed to help you develop your communication ability through listening, oral, written and digital communication skills at an advanced level.
You will complete eight core courses (including two capstone courses) and nine elective hours. The degree includes a series of two capstone courses culminating in a successful defense of a capstone project. You must complete the curriculum within seven years, however, the program is designed to be completed within two years.
Students in the Master of Arts in Professional Communication program must maintain a 3.0 average and must have no more than one "C" grade during the course of the program. No more than one course with a grade of "C+", "C" or "C-" can be used to meet graduation requirements.
Required Courses
Ethical Development and Promotion of Organizational Culture | COMM 501This course focuses on the reciprocal relationship between communication and culture in organizations. The course will discuss the communication process on the promotion of organizational culture and develop ethical interactions within and outside the organizations. The role of the organization in crisis communication, communication campaigns and branding will be emphasized.
Persuasion and Public Opinion | COMM 502
This course will focus on the power and responsibility of crafting persuasive messages that impact individuals and public opinion. Students will learn how to create digital, oral and written persuasive texts suitable for public, interpersonal and organizational contexts. In addition to library research, students will be introduced to the basics of research data collection including interviews, surveys and focus groups.
Strategic Communication | COMM 503
Strategic communication involves the management of communication within and external to an organization. This involves the integration of public relations, marketing, branding, advertising and media strategies. Students will learn how strategic communication functions between stakeholders’ internal and external to organizations. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills in creating persuasive and responsible multimodal and multimedia strategic communication campaigns.
Digital Media and Communication Campaigns | COMM 504
This course focuses on digital media as a persuasive tool for communication. Students will learn how to collect data and distribute information through digital media through the development of integrated communication campaigns that address specific organizational needs. How to identify and target audiences with persuasive content on a variety of social media platforms will be emphasized.
Communication Research Methods and Data Collection | COMM 505
This course is designed to introduce students to quantitative, qualitative and critical/cultural communication research paradigms. Students will learn the guiding principles of each paradigm and how to determine the best methods for acquiring the desired data type. Students will learn how to appropriately collect data for organizational research using a variety of methods like interviewing, ethnography, survey collection, experiments, content analysis and focus groups.
Leadership and Training in Organizations and Digital Spaces | COMM 506
The purpose of the course is to develop an understanding of leadership communication and its application to professional practice. Students will reflect on their own leadership desires and skills to develop their own leadership persona including the development of digital personas. Students will also learn how leadership strategies can be used to develop meaningful training tactics for an organization and its community members.
Thesis/Capstone Proposal | COMM 600
This course is the first in a two-course sequence required for all students as part of the preparation for the final project: either a capstone portfolio or a thesis. In COMM 600, students will prepare a research plan for the project and, once approved by an advisor, begin work on the project.
One of the Following Courses:
Capstone: Preparation and Defense | COMM 601
This course is the second in a two-course sequence required for all Master of Arts in Professional Communication students completing a capstone portfolio for their final project. In COMM 601, students will complete the capstone project begun in COMM 600, prepare a portfolio of that work and, finally, complete an oral defense of the capstone portfolio.
or
Thesis: Writing and Defense | COMM 602This course is the second in a two-course sequence required for all Master of Arts in Professional Communication students completing a thesis for their final project. In COMM 602, students will complete the research and writing of the thesis begun in COMM 600 and complete an oral defense of the thesis.
Capstone Options
The MAPC offers three opportunities for the program's culminating project based on your desired professional outcomes:
- Professional Project - for students who prefer to use the degree to build tools for consulting, management or project development.
- Service Project - for students who want to obtain courses that prepare them for service work and want to complete a culminating project for a service organization.
- Thesis - for students who want to continue higher education and pursue a Ph.D.
Elective Courses (Nine credit hours required from the following interdisciplinary sequences)
We offer several elective courses for you to pick from that suit your interests/career needs. These courses are repeatable if the emphasis is different.
Applied Lingustics
- Introduction to Linguistics | BLMC 510
- This foundational course introduces linguistic terminology and surveys the study of linguistics concepts to provide a foundation in the fields of phonology, phonemics, morphology, syntax, semantics, pragmatics and sociolinguistics. Special emphasis will be placed on the application of linguistic terminology and concepts to native and non-native production.
- Application of Discourse Analysis | BLMC 540
- This course examines the application of discourse analysis to both oral and written communication for use within the fields of linguistics and linguistic education.
- Advanced Linguistics | BLMC 545
- This advanced linguistics course examines the interplay of syntactic, morphologic, semantic and pragmatic theory in the creation of grammar in order to develop skills in linguistic analysis and the teaching of grammar.
- Sociolinguistics | BLMC 560
- This course involves intensive study of linguistic and social variables that determine how language functions and is used in society.
Educational Technology
- Technology Integration | EDFI 560
- This course is designed to provide graduate students with an opportunity to learn, apply, implement, evaluate and create technology-based learning experiences for P-12 students and/or adult learners. Graduate students in this course will design and implement technology-enhanced learning experiences that address content standards and student technology standards, use a variety of research-based learner-centered instructional strategies and engage students in local and global interdisciplinary units in which technology helps them assume professional roles, research real-world problems, collaborate with others and produce products that are meaningful and useful.
- Curriculum and Instruction for Online Learners | EDFI 565
- This course is designed to provide graduate students with an opportunity to learn, apply, implement, evaluate and create technology-based online learning experiences for P-12 students and/or adult learners. Graduate students in this course will design and implement online learning experiences that employ effective online instructional and collaborative learning strategies to maximize, maintain and manage teacher and student use of online digital tools in technology-rich learning environments.
- Assessment and Data-Driven Decisions for Online Learners | EDFI 570
- This course is designed to provide graduate students with an opportunity to learn, apply, implement, evaluate and create technology-based online learning assessments for P-12 students and/or learners. Graduate students in this course will design and implement online learning assessments that utilize differentiation, including the adjustment of content, process, product and learning environments based on students readiness levels, learning styles, interests and personal goals, and effectively employ online technology tools and resources to continuously assess student learning and technology literacy through a variety of formative and summative assessments.
Environmental, Safety and Occupational Health Management Communication
- Public Policy and Communication | ENVM 520
- This course provides an overview of the social, governmental and economic forces during the development and implementation of environmental and labor laws and policy. The impact of public opinion on political systems and mechanisms provides the basis for understanding the specific nature and ramifications of environmental, employee safety and public health issues. This course covers the development of federal and state laws, and local zoning issues. This class provides the skills necessary to assess changes in policy and communicate their impacts and risks to the organization. This course also discusses external communication of risk to public representatives, regulators and the legal community.
- Organizational Theory and Behavior | ENVM 525
- This course addresses the essential strategies for understanding and managing an organization and its human resources, especially in the area of ESH administration. Specific examples of the strategic direction and management leadership of successful companies are compared with their competitors. This class also discusses the fit of corporate strategy to the organizational type, level and culture, and the employee culture, as well as the various approaches to human resource utilization.
- Project Management and Planning | ENVM 625
- This course covers the elements of effective project management through strategic planning, forecasting, project implementation and cost control. The student will understand the translation of corporate environmental, safety and health policy into viable operational functions. The student will be able to communicate environmental, safety and health projects to management in a business format through understanding of cost, budget and return- on-investment considerations.
Human Resource Management- Leadership and Organizational Behavior | MBA 610
- This course examines the organization from a leadership perspective. It also develops essential strategies for managing organizations and skills important to successful leadership and addresses fit of strategy to organizational level and type, as well as culture of organization and workers. The course includes discussion of organizational mission and goals, work coordination, technical and people problems and managing change.
- Management of Human Resources | MBA 620
- This course familiarizes students with the strategic and operative role of the human resource management (HRM) function of an organization. It examines the classic dimensions of HRM, including training and organization development and uses an integrative approach, emphasizing the importance of HRM-related factors on managerial decision making and organizational performance.
- Organizational and Human Resource Development | MBA 624
- This course focuses on developing effective human relations skills for the workplace, including understanding and managing yourself, dealing effectively with other people and staying emotionally healthy. It further explores and examines change that is strategic, purposeful and behavioral.
- Topics in Interpersonal Communication | COMM 550
- This course will focus on special issues within the field of communication related to interpersonal communication. This course may be repeated, provided the topics are different.
- Topics in Identity Management | COMM 551
- This course will focus on special issues within the field of communication related to identity management. This course may be repeated, provided the topics are different.
- Topics in Team Building | COMM 552
- This course will focus on special issues within the field of communication related to team building. This course may be repeated, provided the topics are different.
- Training in Communication Education | COMM 594
- This course focuses on the skills necessary to train learners in areas of communication education with an emphasis on skills addressed in basic communication courses. Students in this course participate in supervised teaching experiences. Students will revise course syllabi, develop course assignments, evaluate student work and performance, supervise the Speech Lab and meet weekly with a Masters of Arts in Professional Communication (MAPC) cohort for regular mentorship and support. This course must be taken each semester the student is participating in the Teaching Assistant Program for the Department of Communication. This course is repeatable for up to 6 hours.
Leadership
- Being an Educational Leader | EDUC 500
- This course provides an orientation to the graduate program. Characteristics of the educational leader, the importance of self-reflection and one's role as an educational leader in the profession will be examined. Such topics as understanding self and relating to others, interpersonal styles, work team effectiveness and resolving interpersonal conflict and problem solving will be covered throughout the course.
- The Leader: Facilitator of Innovation and Strategic Management | EDSP 630
- This course focuses on leadership theories, models and strategies that have laid the foundation for the evolution of many leadership practices that exist today. Areas of emphasis will be leadership and strategic management, innovation and creative process, creative problem solving and decision making, strategic planning and organizing, continuous improvement and team building and group dynamics. Learners will be responsible for exploring each of these topical areas and applying critical thinking in selected assignments for content review, discussion and evaluation regarding their impact on leadership and/or professional success.
- Educational Leader as a Change Agent | EDUC 541
- Organizational change has become a way of life for all education professionals. New technology, organizational restructuring, budget cuts, state and federal educational standards and legal mandates all contribute to the changing scene. Educational leaders are challenged to maintain performance in a positive manner under radically changing conditions. This course will look at how the educational leader can effectively manage his/her responsibilities while providing leadership for peers during system change involving risk.
- Increasing Effectiveness through Principle-Centered Leadership | EDUC 650
- The purpose of this course is to empower people and organizations to significantly increase their performance capability as they work to achieve worthwhile purposes through understanding and living principle-centered leadership. This course will be taught utilizing The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People program, which will provide a holistic, integrated approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness.
Marketing
- Marketing Management and Planning | MBA 630
- This course will study the role of marketing within the firm and in the marketplace. It develops managerial perspective and analytical ability in dealing with marketing problems and opportunities. This course focuses on the influence of the marketplace and the marketing environment on marketing decision making, the determination of the organization's marketing mix and the system for planning and controlling the marketing effort.
- Seminar in Marketing and Promotion | MBA 634
- This course examines the process of developing new products and services as well as the improvement of existing offerings. It develops analytical and managerial ability in dealing with product-related problems and opportunities, provides a framework for integrating product strategy with the implementation of overall marketing efforts, develops an understanding of the various aspects of promotion in marketing and teaches how to design, manage and effectively utilize promotional strategy and planning.
- International Marketing | MBA 662
- This course offers students a managerial view of the analysis, planning and implementation necessary for successfully marketing products and services in the global economy. Topics include market and competitive analysis, governmental and regulatory influences, trading blocs, marketing management structures and activities and cultural factors.
Persuasive Communication
- Digital Media and Composition | ENGL 502
- This course introduces students to writing in digital environments though it emphasizes a user-centered approach to web site design and content development. Topics covered include theories of digital writing, the relationship between traditional forms and emerging forms of writing, and the relationship between design and writing.
- Classical Rhetorical Theory | ENGL 504
- This course provides an introduction to classical rhetoric grounded in Greco-Roman antiquity and texts and themes that constitute "the rhetorical tradition." Readings for the course include primary texts by Greek and Roman classical speakers/writers as well as secondary readings on ancient rhetoric, connections to medieval and Renaissance rhetoric, and classical links to a multimodal rhetorical tradition.
- Contemporary Rhetorical Theory | ENGL 505
- This course focuses on modern/contemporary rhetorical theories from the Enlightenment to the present by tracing the influence of the rhetorical tradition on current writing practices in various contexts, including their relationship to digital writing and multimodal discourse.
- Topics in Rhetoric and Composition | ENGL 550
- This course will focus on special issues within the field of rhetoric and composition studies. It may be repeated, provided the topics are different.
Technical Communication
- Digital Media and Composition | ENGL 502
- This course introduces students to writing in digital environments though it emphasizes a user-centered approach to web site design and content development. Topics covered include theories of digital writing, the relationship between traditional forms and emerging forms of writing, and the relationship between design and writing.
- Writing for Alternative Academic Careers | ENGL 508
- This course focuses on writing processes for alternative academic careers including writing specialist positions in museums, government, law, corporate and editing and publishing sectors. In addition to writing for print, composing social media and other digital communications will be emphasized.
- Topics in Technical and Scientific Writing | ENGL 552
- This course will focus on special issues within the field of technical and/or scientific writing. It may be repeated, provided the topics are different.
To view the full curriculum in the University of Findlay's online catalog, please click here.
Transfer Credits
The MAPC will allow up to six credit hours of transfer credit if the equivalent graduate coursework is taken at another accredited institution. COMM 594, COMM 600 and COMM 601 may not be transferred. Transfer credit will be evaluated by the Director of the MAPC program.