GRADUATE PROGRAM Master of Communications 30 total credits | average 2 years to complete 30 DAYS Left to Apply 1 MAY Start Date Format Online Tuition $35,000 Courses 10 courses Term Summer 2023 Apply Now Become an impactful leader in the dynamic field of Communications With the rapid rise of both digital and societal disruption, the world of communications has shifted dramatically in recent years. Communications professionals are playing increasingly complex, meaningful roles that influence organizational cultures, define corporate and social responsibility, and support enterprise-wide goals. Be ready to advance into critical leadership positions with a graduate degree from top-ranked Wake Forest University. Admission Criteria To enroll in the Master of Communications program a candidate must complete an online application, in which they will submit: A resume A bachelor’s degree transcript from an accredited college or university* Also, candidates must complete a virtual interview with a Student Success Manager. *An unofficial transcript is acceptable for admission; an official transcript is due by the start of the first course. 150,000 new jobs in employment in media and communications occupations as the industry is projected to grow faster than average from 2020 to 2030. 17% increase in overall wages in communications roles across the U.S. 11,396 unique postings in the Charlotte-metro and Winston-Salem area for communications job opportunities in March of 2022. The People Behind the Program To accelerate your career growth, reach your professional goals, and expand your network, we created the Communications Programmatic Advisory Board (PAB) to bring knowledge from experts in the field into the classroom. These board members are committed to your academic excellence and keeping Wake Forest University School of Professional Studies graduates industry–competitive and globally impactful. Selim Bingol Duke Energy James “J.D.” Donnelly M Booth Portia R Mount Trane Technologies Jaclyn Pardini Hartzell Ally Stacey McCray Bojangles, Inc. Carol Oliff Wake Forest University David Robertson Wake Forest University Core Courses Students in the Communications program will take 9 core courses. You make take these courses at anytime they are available. Communications Today Today’s professionals encounter an increasingly complex organizational environment. This course identifies foundational communications concepts for application and to help navigate challenges, particularly in the digital domain. What You’ll Learn Identify and critically evaluate emerging issues and trends. Apply salient communications theories and concepts to real-world scenarios. Explore the role of rapidly evolving communications technologies. Understand the importance of communications leadership in addressing emerging challenges. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Spring 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 710 × Communications Today Today’s professionals encounter an increasingly complex organizational environment. This course identifies foundational communications concepts for application and to help navigate challenges, particularly in the digital domain. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Communications Research Strategic communicators understand that data is an essential basis for well-planned strategies. This course provides the knowledge of research design and data interpretation, helping communications professionals become proficient consumers and ethical producers of research-based arguments. What You’ll Learn Identify and access quality sources of research data and information. Assess the validity and reliability of research data and information. Identify, measure, interpret, and evaluate research evidence. Present in ways that tell a resonate, persuasive story. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Jan 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 712 × Communications Research Strategic communicators understand that data is an essential basis for well-planned strategies. This course provides the knowledge of research design and data interpretation, helping communications professionals become proficient consumers and ethical producers of research-based arguments. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Digital Communications Engagement In today’s digital world, consumers of digital messaging are also producers of digital content. Today’s professionals must not only keep up with the near-constant changes in media platforms but must use multiple channels to generate content and listen to users. This course helps build a foundation in current digital practices and emerging media technologies. What You’ll Learn Identify channel strategies and activate those channels. Generate content, utilize brand ambassadors and influencers, and leverage the role of the corporate newsroom in ways that tell a coherent story. Design strategies for empowering the public/consumer through digital channels. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Jan 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 714 × Digital Communications Engagement In today’s digital world, consumers of digital messaging are also producers of digital content. Today’s professionals must not only keep up with the near-constant changes in media platforms but must use multiple channels to generate content and listen to users. This course helps build a foundation in current digital practices and emerging media technologies. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Crisis and Issues Communications Real and perceived threats can pose major challenges for organizations. These threats can range from attacks on an organization’s reputation to managing the proliferation of misinformation communicated in both external and internal channels. This course provides the tools, approaches, and confidence to manage long-term challenges. What You’ll Learn Respond effectively to reputational threats. Identify effective and appropriate strategies for internal and external communications, and align organizational values with various stakeholders, including media organizations, employees, communities, business partners, special interest groups, and consumers. Exercise ownership of messaging in social and traditional media channels. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Summer 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 720 × Crisis and Issues Communications Real and perceived threats can pose major challenges for organizations. These threats can range from attacks on an organization’s reputation to managing the proliferation of misinformation communicated in both external and internal channels. This course provides the tools, approaches, and confidence to manage long-term challenges. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Strategic Communications Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions. What You’ll Learn Work through table-top exercises to solve real-world problems. Examine and apply skills related to communications theories and principles. Plan, implement, and measure strategic communications initiatives. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Summer 2023 Subject to Change Course ID CMS 722 × Strategic Communications Internal and external stakeholders expect greater transparency and responsiveness from organizational leaders today. This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies. This course examines real organizational challenges and students work to identify solutions. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Public Relations Public relations (PR) professionals are increasingly tasked with building and maintaining multi-directional relationships with key stakeholders. This course introduces practical approaches to communicating persuasively and building corporate reputation, driving awareness and affinity for the brand among a wide array of stakeholders. What You’ll Learn Design strategies that positively influence stakeholders. Analyze the structure of persuasive messaging across a variety of media channels. Appraise and work with media as part of PR practice. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming Soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 724 × Public Relations Public relations (PR) professionals are increasingly tasked with building and maintaining multi-directional relationships with key stakeholders. This course introduces practical approaches to communicating persuasively and building corporate reputation, driving awareness and affinity for the brand among a wide array of stakeholders. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Communications Leadership, Organizational Culture & Ethics This course helps identify leadership strategies for ensuring organizational strategies are aligned with organization mission and values and serve the broader goals of business and society. Learn more about the ESG framework and be able to apply it to communications initiatives, building trust and making a positive, authentic impact. Effective leaders communicate consistently and in alignment with organizational missions that represent the highest of ethical standards. What You’ll Learn Learn and apply environmental, social/sustainable, and governance (ESG) principles. Follow ethical communications industry practices. Advocate for the communications role to serve jointly as an internal leader in the organization, and externally in the community. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming Soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 730 × Communications Leadership, Organizational Culture & Ethics Most organizations have a mission or values statement. How many organizations are living it? This course helps identify leadership strategies for ensuring organizational strategies are aligned with organization mission and values and serve the broader goals of business and society. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Leading through Intercultural Communications It is necessary for communications leaders to develop intercultural awareness and build communications strategies that reflect diversity of thought, culture, and experience. Equitable practices foster trust and commitment to organizations and brands. Diverse workforces are more creative and innovative. Learn how to assess and design aligned, inclusive communications strategies. What You’ll Learn Identify organizational traditions, practices, and communications and assess their impact on diverse identities. Develop intercultural awareness alongside internal and external communications strategies and messaging. Build organizationally aligned communications strategies and practices that promote equitable, accountable leadership. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming Soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 732 × Leading through Intercultural Communications It is necessary for communications leaders to develop intercultural awareness and build communications strategies that reflect diversity of thought, culture, and experience. Equitable practices foster trust and commitment to organizations and brands. Diverse workforces are more creative and innovative. Learn how to assess and design aligned, inclusive communications strategies. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Capstone in Communications: Consultative Project Learning is forged through application. Skills adjacency – the ability to adopt new skills alongside collaborators and in contexts outside of one’s expertise – has been identified as a critical 21st-century skill. This course applies communications skills and knowledge through a hands-on consultative project. What You’ll Learn Identify and execute strategies presented throughout the program. Reflect and process on learning acquired in the program. Build a portfolio-worthy communications project. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change Course ID CMS 799 × Capstone in Communications: Consultative Project Learning is forged through application. Skills adjacency – the ability to adopt new skills alongside collaborators and in contexts outside of one’s expertise – has been identified as a critical 21st-century skill. This course applies communications skills and knowledge through a hands-on consultative project. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Electives Students in the Communications program will take 1 elective. You may take it at anytime your selection is available. Champion Corporate Branding Companies with a strong brand purpose have stronger customer and employee loyalty. Is your company’s brand strong? How can you start with the “why” of your brand rather than the “what” and “how” of a product line? In this course, you will learn to recognize strong brands and identify strategies for strengthening brand purpose. Course Code: 750 What You’ll Learn Identify key elements of corporate branding. Assess organizational corporate branding. Identify strengths and challenges to be addressed. Develop and apply approaches that build strong corporate branding. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change × Champion Corporate Branding Companies with a strong brand purpose have stronger customer and employee loyalty. Is your company’s brand strong? How can you start with the “why” of your brand rather than the “what” and “how” of a product line? In this course, you will learn to recognize strong brands and identify strategies for strengthening brand purpose. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Leading Skills for Business Communications To have impact, today’s leaders must understand today’s landscape and communicate their message to key stakeholders informally through social networks or formally through presentations. Course Code: 726 What You’ll Learn Design presentations that resonate with and persuade stakeholders. Identify and leverage social networks for communicating information to stakeholders. Use principles of argumentation to engage stakeholders in crucial conversations. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change × Leading Skills for Business Communications To have impact, today’s leaders must understand today’s landscape and communicate their message to key stakeholders informally through social networks or formally through presentations. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Negotiation and Conflict Management This course explores the determinants of successful negotiations. A process-oriented approach is used, with an emphasis on the practical application of proven frameworks and theories. Relatedly, the course also delves deeply into the nature and common courses and causes of conflict that can derail projects, providing practical guidance for identifying and addressing the root causes of conflict. What You’ll Learn Develop ethical, creative, and value-driven influencers. Improve critical thinking skills by employing negotiating strategies and by evaluating negotiated options and outcomes in diverse business environments. Develop effective negotiating skills based on sound theory and practice. Gain exposure to issues that impact managers in a global setting by examining conflict and negotiated resolutions in a business context and across varied stakeholders. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Fall 2023 Spring 2024 Subject to Change Course ID LDR 720 × Negotiation and Conflict Management With an emphasis on the project management work environment, explore the determinants of successful negotiations. Learn a process-oriented approach with an emphasis on the practical application of proven frameworks and theories. In this course, you’ll learn about and explore the nature and common causes of conflict that can derail projects, gaining practical guidance for identifying and addressing the root causes of conflict. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Leadership & Change Management The work of a leader is to manage change. This course emphasizes gaining the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change efforts. It explores the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. In this course, participants will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in their pursuit of organizational change. Attention is given to stakeholder management and strategic partnering. What You’ll Learn Acquire knowledge of models of how change occurs in organizations and how it should occur. Examine and evaluate change efforts in organizations. Develop an understanding of why individuals resist change and how to overcome resistance. Apply change models to various organizations and identify how leaders should lead change efforts. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Summer 2023 Spring 2024 Subject to Change Course ID LDR 722 × Leadership & Change Management This course is a survey of the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to successfully undertake change. It explores the leadership principles, styles, frameworks, and skills required to guide, motivate, and direct teams. Learners will develop the ability to prepare, support, and assist individuals, teams, and organizations in organizational change. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Financial Management for Today’s Leaders Leading effectively in today’s complex economy requires a confident understanding of the numbers side of the business. This course examines the conceptual and practical issues involved in managing an organization’s finances. Their work will become the internal and external messaging for the organization. Students will be introduced to financial and accounting terminology, concepts and tools for decision making. Additional topics may include the financial impact of mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructuring. Course Code: 752 What You’ll Learn Interpret and apply accounting and finance terminology, concepts, and analysis techniques. Analyze the financial impact of decisions. Explore use of data to make financial decisions. Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Book Credits 3 credits Atoms / 03.Icon / Course Detail / Calendar Terms Coming soon! Subject to Change Course ID LDR 726 × Financial Management for Today’s Leaders Leading effectively in today’s complex economy requires a confident understanding of the numbers side of the business. Learn More Atoms / 03.Icon / Plus Circle Communications Faculty David Robertson Wake Forest University Helena Angell, Ph.D. Wake Forest University Jared Bahir Browsh, Ph.D. Wake Forest University Learn More Paying for School There are several financial assistance options available for you to start this journey and see your career take off. Speak with one of our financial aid officers for help navigating scholarships, veteran’s assistance, FAFSA, and more. Learn More Wake to What’s Next Request Information Apply Now