Master of Professional Communication

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Overview

The program emphasizes advanced communication skills and knowledge working professionals must possess in order to succeed in today's rapidly evolving and technologically complex world. Students receive instruction in team building and facilitation, organizational leadership, strategic communication, and in the measurement and evaluation of communication messages. They also develop or continue to develop their proficiency in speaking, writing, communicating visually, and in using new media. The program allows students to customize their curriculum and facilitate development of a plan of study uniquely tailored to personal career goals by selecting several elective courses of their choosing within the field of communication or from related fields such as business, education, and health professions. The MPC degree culminates with a professional project or thesis designed specifically to enhance students' career goals.

The learning goals of this program are to produce graduates who:

1. Are prepared to be effective communicators in the public or private sectors or in non-profit environments.
2. Are specifically prepared to understand the role of communication within the overall enterprises of organizations, citizenry, and individual lives.
3. Are experts in oral, written, visual, and digital communication and are prepared to lead and teach others in these areas.
4. Demonstrate understanding and abilities across a broad array of communication contexts (organizational, interpersonal, small group, mass media, public relations, etc.).
5. Are engaged on issues of difference, global diversity, and multiculturalism.
   

Although the MPC degree is geared toward the working professional, it is also suitable for traditional students who wish to enter their careers with an advanced degree or continue their educational pursuits.

The MPC program brings together employers, educators, and local organizational leaders to map each individual student's success to fuse the latest theoretical thinking in research-backed techniques and skills with solid professional experience. A close relationship with the community, employers, and individual leaders provides degree-seekers an innovative, strategic, and action-oriented immersion in the educational experience.


Convenient, two-year program

The MPC degree is a 37-semester-credit hour program capable of being completed within two calendar years. It is designed to meet the needs and challenging schedules of today's working adults. Although not a solely online program, it provides flexible scheduling consisting of evening, weekend, and online-enhanced courses, allowing students to obtain an advanced degree while continuing their present full-time employment. In general, students come to campus only one night a week.  

Students enter the MPC program as a group and are expected to take courses in a particular sequence designed for maximum learning. If students elect to take fewer than the prescribed number of courses per semester or do not participate in the summer course selections or in any other way significantly vary from the program, it may not be possible for them to graduate within two years.