Student ID:__________________________ Student Name:_______________________ Adviser Name:_______________________ Bulletin: 2025-2026 Graduate Bulletin Program: Advanced Instructional Communication Certificate Minimum Credits Required:__________________

Advanced Instructional Communication Certificate

Graduate Study at USI >> College of Liberal Arts 

18 Credit hours

The Advanced Instructional Communication certificate helps educators improve their understanding of the various types of communication that occurs in an educational context. The certificate program will help students successfully design messages in an instructional context, effectively deliver instruction about communication, and explore skills and topics that can enhance their understanding of communication as it relates to leadership skills, decision-making, conflict resolution, school-community relationships, and diversity in an educational context.  The certificate is directed to high school teachers and college faculty seeking the credentials to teach communication at the college level.

Graduate Certificate Requirements

  • Credit hours earned for a certificate may be applied toward another degree program.
  • Coursework taken more than 7 years before the certificate is awarded may not be applied toward certificate requirements.
  • Students earning a graduate certificate are not eligible to participate in commencement exercises, but the credential will be added to their official transcript record.

Graduate Studies Admission Criteria and Application Process

Refer to the Admission section of the bulletin for information about Graduate Studies admission criteria and the online application process.

Instructional Communication Certificates

Admission Requirements

Unconditional admission to the Instructional Communication Certificate program or the Advanced Instructional Communication Certificate program will be contingent on the following factors:

  • Admission to Graduate Studies
  • A Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • An undergraduate GPA of 2.50 or higher

Program format

Students enrolled in the Instructional Communication Certificate program may opt to change to the Advanced Instructional Communication Certificate, provided they submit a Change of Graduate Program request form prior to completing nine (9) hours in the Instructional Communication Certificate program. Students cannot obtain both the Instructional Communication Certificate and the Advanced Instructional Communication certificate.

Students completing either certificate may continue their graduate studies by applying to the Master of Arts in Strategic and Organizational Communication (MA) program. Coursework from the certificate program can be applied toward the MA in Strategic and Organizational Communication. Students who choose this option must submit a Change of Graduate Program request form to declare the MA degree program.

Required Courses (9 hours)

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM 607 - Applied Practices in Instructional Communication
Term(s) Offered: Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
COMM 617 - Instructional Communication
Term(s) Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Credits: 3
COMM 670 - Special Topics in Instructional Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3

Directed Electives (9 hours)

Choose three courses:

Course NameCredits:Term TakenGradeGen Ed
COMM 614 - Problematic Workplace Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 620 - Special Topics in Organizational Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 621 - Strategic Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 623 - Leadership and Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 624 - Nonprofit and Association Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 628 - Crisis Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 631 - Organizational Advocacy
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly Offered
Credits: 3
COMM 633 - Applied Communication Ethics
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 634 - Social Media Strategies
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 640 - Independent Study in Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
COMM 670 - Special Topics in Instructional Communication
Term(s) Offered: Irregularly offered
Credits: 3
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