Advanced Instructional Communication Certificate

Print Degree Planner (opens a new window) |

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)

COMM 607 - Applied Practices in Instructional Communication Credits: 3
COMM 617 - Instructional Communication Credits: 3
COMM 670 - Special Topics in Instructional Communication Credits: 3

Directed Electives (9 hours)

Choose three courses:

COMM 614 - Problematic Workplace Communication Credits: 3
COMM 620 - Special Topics in Organizational Communication Credits: 3
COMM 621 - Strategic Communication Credits: 3
COMM 623 - Leadership and Communication Credits: 3
COMM 624 - Nonprofit and Association Communication Credits: 3
COMM 628 - Crisis Communication Credits: 3
COMM 631 - Organizational Advocacy Credits: 3
COMM 633 - Applied Communication Ethics Credits: 3
COMM 634 - Social Media Strategies Credits: 3
COMM 640 - Independent Study in Communication Credits: 3
COMM 670 - Special Topics in Instructional Communication Credits: 3