Organizational Communication and Leadership

A better you begins here.

Are you fascinated by how people interact with one another? Do you want to develop your communication skills? Are you interested in gaining a broader perspective of how the world works? Do you want to bring a greater value to your family, workplace and community?

A degree in organizational communication provides you the tools you need to succeed. Let our experienced faculty and practical classes prepare you to be a change agent in your future workplace.

Whether you are a traditional student or a working professional, our programs are designed for you to advance in your dream career.

Undergraduate Programs

Our programs in the Department of Organizational Communication and Leadership equip students with the skills to lead organizations in the public, private, nonprofit and sports sectors.

Studying organizational communication is valuable for many reasons. Among them? You’ll gain the skills and knowledge to lead organizations — corporations, nonprofits, family businesses and more. You’ll also graduate with real-world experiences in team building, public speaking, conflict negotiation, interpersonal communication, organizational leadership, sales and so much more. Employers look for these skills and hire candidates who possess them.

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The Nonprofit Leadership Studies program is designed to develop the next generation of nonprofit sector leaders, prepared to engage as highly effective and dedicated professionals committed to improving the quality of life for people around the world. The nonprofit sector is highly diverse, addressing issues and needs related to health services, education, social and legal services, civic and environmental advocacy, international relations and development, arts and culture, youth development and human services. Example organizations include the American Red Cross, Boy and Girl Scouts of America, Feeding America, Habitat for Humanity, Humane Society, National Urban League, United Way, World Vision, YMCA, 4-H and a range of institutions in the healthcare, higher education, and faith-based institutions.

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Add to your skillset with a minor in Organizational Communication. You'll gain the skills and knowledge to lead organizations and gain real-world experiences in team building, public speaking, conflict negotiation, interpersonal communication, organizational leadership, sales and so much more.

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A minor in Nonprofit Leadership can help you gain the skills to work with nonprofit organizations. The nonprofit sector is highly diverse, addressing issues and needs related to health services, education, social and legal services, civic and environmental advocacy, international relations and development, arts and culture, youth development and human services.

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Globally, amateur and professional sports is a multi-billion dollar industry with millions of fans, consumers, and participating athletes. Students who are looking for an exciting career in the sports industry should highly consider a minor in Sports Communication. The benefits of the Sports Communication minor will allow you to select a major that fits your interests and career objectives and combine it with a minor that focuses on the sports industry. 

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In the Intercultural Studies minor, students will analyze cultural values, norms, and communication behaviors, develop competence in communicating across cultural boundaries, and examine how rhetoric helps shape personal and cultural identities worldwide. By developing an understanding of how cultural practices and meanings are produced, circulated, and exchanged, students will become informed and engaged critical thinkers in relation to contemporary intercultural issues and everyday experiences.

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Increase your versatility with a minor in art administration. Whatever your major may be, it never hurts to have a creative outlet that builds skills to compliment your primary field of study. 

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Graduate programs

Earn your Master of Arts or Master of Science degree.

Make a positive impact in your community by developing the management, policy and fundraising expertise to help organizations in the nonprofit sector function more efficiently. 

Learn more about the online program

Thesis required.

The Department of Organizational Communication offers a Master of Arts or a Master of Science in Organizational Communication. Graduate study in organizational communication prepares students for effective membership, human management, and prudent leadership in organizations. Coursework focuses on various organizational, interpersonal, and small group communication processes vital to personal and organizational success. Students acquire advanced communication knowledge and skills in such areas as conflict resolution, managerial communication, leadership, customer relations, team communication, organizational change, healthcare communication, persuasion, intercultural communication, training, and organizational learning.

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Non-thesis option.

The Department of Organizational Communication offers a Master of Arts or a Master of Science in Organizational Communication. Graduate study in organizational communication prepares students for effective membership, human management, and prudent leadership in organizations. Coursework focuses on various organizational, interpersonal, and small group communication processes vital to personal and organizational success. Students acquire advanced communication knowledge and skills in such areas as conflict resolution, managerial communication, leadership, customer relations, team communication, organizational change, healthcare communication, persuasion, intercultural communication, training, and organizational learning.

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Certificates

Certificates and graduate certificates help you advance your career and increase your skillset quickly.

The Health Communication Certificate provides specialized knowledge of effective communication practices within healthcare settings. Courses and research are designed to encourage one's understanding of a variety of communication concepts that are valuable in healthcare-related organizations.

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The Nonprofit Leadership Studies Certificate program is designed to support professionals working in leadership roles and those seeking to advance into leadership roles in the nonprofit sector. In addition, it supports those wanting to transition from government or business into the nonprofit sector. The certificate will help ensure a quality understanding of the role of the nonprofit sector in strengthening civil society. In addition, students will customize the set of courses taken to align with career interests across the field of practice. This program leads to a non-practice credential and is not approved by the Kentucky Educational Professional Standards Board.

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The Certificate in Organizational Dynamics is designed to enhance a person's ability to lead and be effective in organizational settings. Emphasis is placed on recognizing and responding to internal and external issues to the organization that impact productivity, reputation, and success.

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This is an interdisciplinary program that introduces students to the opportunities in social entrepreneurship and social enterprise and builds skills that can be used to pursue careers in the emerging fourth sector. This certificate will show students how profitability and social value creation can and should coexist and can connect their scholarly interests to a future in socially responsible business. Students will gain critical insights into ethical business practices and social value creation as well as gain practical skills about how they are being created currently. With an optional internship, students will also be able to gain hands-on experience working alongside professionals in the field.

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EEQ Certified

EEQ Cert logoOrganizational Communication and Leadership has received the Essential Employability Qualities Certification as granted by the Quality Assurance Commons. This certification follows a rigorous process of external and independent review.

EEQ Certified programs foster a distinctive set of attributes in their graduates and completers. These qualities are intended to prepare students to make important contributions in their workplaces: communication, thinking and problem solving, inquiry, collaboration, adaptability, principles and ethics, responsibility and professionalism, and learning.

“My passion for communication is becoming more important in today’s interconnected world. Murray State’s organizational communication program has given me the necessary foundation to be a leader in my dream career.”

Katie WaideOrganizational Communication Major, Madisonville, Kentucky

Career options

A degree in organizational communication will open countless doors to your future. Our programs build transferable communication skills that apply to a wide variety of careers. Currently, our graduates hold titles such as:

  • Business development coordinator
  • Director of communication and events
  • Human relations director
  • Legislative correspondent
  • Marketing coordinator
  • National recruiter
  • President/CEO
  • Public relations specialist
  • Student relations director
  • Training director

In fact, job growth in the field is higher than average with the work being done by organizational communication graduates more important than ever. Our alumni can be found all over the world working for well-known companies, including:

  • American Cancer Society
  • Disney
  • General Motors
  • HCA Healthcare
  • Humana
  • Proctor & Gamble
  • Sony
  • St. Jude Hospital
  • State of Kentucky
  • SocialCoaster

And that’s only the beginning.

What’s next?

Learn more about becoming a Racer

Then tour campus and connect with current organizational communication students and faculty to see the incredible opportunities waiting for you at Murray State.

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Contact

Dr. David Gesler

Chair, Department of Organizational Communication and Leadership
Arthur J. Bauernfeind College of Business

 

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