Master of Arts in Organizational Communications
Department
Department of Communication
College
Office of Research and Graduate Studies and the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Overview of the program
The Master of Arts in Organizational Communication is designed to give communication students insights into communication problems and issues as they exist in organizational settings and provide the knowledge, skills and tools to allow such to be addressed. The purposes of the M.A. in Organizational Communication are to:
- Prepare students for the modern workplace or doctoral study,
- Provide training in communication theory and skills,
- Acquaint students with the latest communication technologies,
- Provide students with training in interpersonal communication skills,
- Provide students with knowledge about how communication works within an organizational context.
The Master of Organizational Communication is a non-thesis degree, requiring a total of 36 semester hours of graduate credit. A minimum of twenty-seven hours must be taken in the Department of Communication, and nine hours may be taken from the prescribed courses in other departments. The selected courses examine the processes and technologies used to communicate information among businesses, schools, hospitals, and non-profit organizations, and will allow students to focus on their areas of interest.
Concentrations
- Health communication
- Public relations
- News media
- Sociology
- Marketing
Strengths of the program
The Graduate Program in Organizational Communication at Southeastern Louisiana University is grounded in human communication theory, with a complementary understanding of how information is managed and how it is communicated interpersonally and through media, including computers, Internet, Intranet, compressed video, and multimedia presentations. Graduates of the program gain the skills needed to design, analyze, and evaluate strategies intended to facilitate the flow of information within and
between organizations, and between organizations and the public. Students also learn about legal and ethical communication issues relevant to the modern work environment.
Preparing for a job in the program
Applicants for the Master of Organizational Communication program must have a BA or BS degree from an accredited university. It is not essential that the undergraduate degree be in communication; for more information, please contact the department.
Careers in the program
There are numerous career options for communication graduates. Job titles in the government, industry and the private sector include:
- Advertising Executive
- Campaign Director
- College Recruiter
- Communication Manager
- Community Relations Director
- Developmental Officer
- Hotel Manager
- Public Relations Manager
- Media Buyer
- Human Resource Manager
Starting Salaries after completing the program (estimates only)
Starting salaries for the degree: $40,000-$50,000
Campus organizations and activities affiliated with the program
- OCA, Organizational Communication Association
- The Lion's Roar, the student newspaper
- KSLU, a Corporation for Public Broadcasting radio station
- The Southeastern Channel, a cable television channel that reaches over 90,000 households
- Lambda Pi Eta and Pi Delta Epsilon honor societies
- The Public Relations Student Society of America
- The SLU Press Club
- The SLU Debate Team
Related fields that might interest you
- English
- Psychology
- Marketing
- Management
How do I know this is the degree for me?
Common Strengths and interests of students in the program
Helpful qualities for communication majors include:
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Curiosity and interest in human behavior
- Ability to meet deadlines
- Creativity
Notable Alumni
Kornelija Juskaite, Senior Program Coordinator, Tulane University School of Medicine
Cristina Abreu, Management Development, Nielsen Media Research
Joseph Tucker, Manager, Cinemark Theatres, Texas
Linda Gibson, Project Coordinator, Center for Development and Learning
Contact Information
Office of Research and Graduate Studies
SLU Box 10809
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: Mead Hall, Room 103
Telephone: 985-549-2103
Fax: 985-549-3605
E-mail: gradschool@selu.edu
Department of Communication
SLU Box 10451
Hammond, LA 70402
On Campus: D Vickers Hall, Room 223
Telephone: 985-549-2105
Fax: 985-549-5407
E-mail: kfontenot@selu.edu
