Communication Certificates

The Event Planning Promotion Certificate is available to any students taking Communication and Journalism classes. 

From national and international corporate parties, national political conventions, global academic conferences, and huge non-profit fundraisers, to PTO family events, local weddings, and scouting retreats, the demand for accomplished event planners is significant and growing.  According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field of event planning is expected to grow with faster than average grow over the next 10 years.  By completing the courses in this certificate program, students will gain the specific skills necessary to effectively to plan and promote public events, allowing them to be successful in this rapidly growing field.

After completing this certificate, students will be able to:

• Apply strategic planning techniques to the design and implementation of special events.
• Design communication campaigns to inform target publics about special events and to promote the activities.
• Gain knowledge of communication theories and their application to promoting special events.
• Understand the critical role of certain infrastructure concerns for special events, such as staffing and logistics issues.
• Develop and manage event budgets.
• Enhance their leadership and interpersonal communication skills.​
• Develop an expanded awareness of diversity as it applies to large-scale planning, including aspects of needs

Click here to view the Event Planning & Promotion Certificate check sheet.

The Communication Competence Certificate is available to any major at the University, including communication journalism majors or minors.  

Demand for effective communication skills in employees continues to be a top priority in hiring and in promotion decisions at companies large and small. According to the National Communication Association (NACE Outlook Survey), employers continuously identify the “ability to communicate effectively both inside and outside the organization” as the number one skill necessary in an employee at any level within their company. The Communication Competence Certificate offers theoretical, applied, and practical communication knowledge and skill sets that will benefit the student professionally and personally . The classes in Communication Competence focus on incorporating knowledge and skills in realistic settings. Individuals who earn the Certificate will develop key aspects of communication competence, effectiveness and appropriateness and will be able to interact with others from different cultures, backgrounds and experiences.

After completing the certificate, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate competence in oral and interpersonal skills relevant to the professionals in their fields.
• Learn effective written communication skills.
• Demonstrate competence in collaboration skills by working with others to complete tasks and team projects.
• Obtain both conflict resolution and negotiation skills and be able to identify key dimensions related to persuasion.
• Be able to identify the various leadership styles of managers and be able to discuss the pros and cons of each.
• Be able to critique and analyze the many applications (and roles) of Social Media.
• Determine and apply the most strategic communication vehicles in achieving organizational objectives.
• Create a professional résumé and cover letter.
• Learn how to set, follow-through and reflect on professional goals.
• Speak effectively in public, small group and interpersonal settings.
• Identify various team roles and utilize those roles in a positive manner to meet the team’s goals and objectives.
• Be able to analyze their personal leadership styles and practice leadership communication skills across leadership contexts – working with teams to communities to social movements.

Click here to view the Communication Competency Certificate check sheet.