Thoroughly learn essential communication skills for the modern workplace, including collective teamwork, and navigating diverse cultures and co-cultures, in this intensive 12-hour program.

Program Location

Carrollton Campus

Method of Delivery

Face to Face

Accreditation

The University of West Georgia is accredited by The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

Credit and transfer

Total semester hours required:

This program may be earned entirely face-to-face. However, depending on the courses chosen, a student may choose to take some partially or fully online courses.

Save money

UWG is often ranked as one of the most affordable accredited universities of its kind, regardless of the method of delivery chosen.

Details

  • Total tuition costs and fees may vary, depending on the instructional method of the courses in which the student chooses to enroll.
  • The more courses a student takes in a single term, the more they will typically save in fees and total cost.
  • Face-to-face or partially online courses are charged at the general tuition rate and all mandatory campus fees, based on the student's residency (non-residents are charged at a higher rate).
  • Fully or entirely online course tuition rates and fees my vary depending on the program. Students enrolled in exclusively online courses do not pay non-Resident rates.
  • Together this means that GA residents pay about the same if they take all face-to-face or partially online courses as they do if they take only fully online courses exclusively; while non-residents save money by taking fully online courses.
  • One word of caution: If a student takes a combination of face-to-face and online courses in a single term, he/she will pay both all mandatory campus fees and the higher eTuition rate.
  • For cost information, as well as payment deadlines, see the Student Accounts and Billing Services website

There are a variety of financial assistance options for students, including scholarships and work study programs. Visit the Office of Financial Aid's website for more information.

Major Required

These courses are required to earn the certificate and can be taken in any order.

This course will teach students to more effectively communicate in small group settings, understand the dynamics involved in group discussions, and to learn and apply group communication theories.

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This course will analyze the communication process in intercultural contexts, including self-awareness of our intersecting cultural identities, listening, verbal and nonverbal styles across cultures, culture shock, and communication values in intercultural dialogue.

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This course will examine communication principles that address how to manage conflicts productively in interpersonal and organizational contexts. Consideration will be given to the role that goals, power, and conflict management styles play in conflict interactions, as well as the potential for third-party interventions.

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Major Selects

In addition to the 9 hours of required courses, students should choose one elective course from this list to complete their certificate. This list includes other Communication Studies courses within our School and also presents the student with course options outside the School so that the student can more fully tailor the program to their career interests.

A study of written and oral business communication to develop process and theory skills including writing, speaking, listening, business meetings, teamwork, presentations, and cross-cultural communication. Students write standard business letters and deliver oral and written presentations and reports. Management concepts of business ethics and problem analysis are integrated with communication process and theory.

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This undergraduate course is an introduction to the basic communication and group management skills required of effective human service workers, and the legal and ethical considerations that accompany human services work. Students will learn strategies for active listening, effective communication, understanding and managing group dynamics, and identifying and responding to legal and ethical issues in the workplace.

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The course is designed to provide students with an understanding of rhetoric in the context of social influence. In addition to identifying key concepts of rhetorical analysis, the course includes evaluation of communicative strategies and tactics of social justice movements. The course also examines the ways in which technological developments the channels of communication have altered rhetorical messages, as well as their effectiveness in influencing public opinion and achieving institutional change.

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Theories and inquiry into strategies for the creation of and ethical use of persuasive messages including historical and contemporary perspectives in various communication contexts. Special focus on oral presentation of persuasive content and analysis of ethical persuasive strategies.

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Analysis and application of interpersonal, small-group, and mediated communication skills as effective speaking, listening, negotiation, conflict management, presentation, and media interviewing.

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This theory-driven course will analyze verbal and nonverbal communication in person-to-person relationships, paying special attention to the stages of relationship development and dissolution, conflict management strategies, identity development, and the role of power and perception.

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This course will survey the role of gender in various communication contexts: relationships, organizations, educational institutions, and mass media. Consideration will be given to the social construction of categories of gender, race, sexuality, and class and how they have changed over time.

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This course will introduce students to health communication theory, research, and practice in interpersonal and organizational health communication contexts, exploring topics such as patient-provider communication, the influence of cultural beliefs on health, and communication in healthcare organizations.

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This course will explore a variety of theoretical approaches to human communication from multiple paradigms of thought, including selected theories of language, interpersonal communication, small group interaction, organizational communication, intercultural communication, race, gender, and persuasion.

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This course examines how conflict management skills could be used in the field of law enforcement to mitigate conflict escalation. Conflict Management theories and techniques have long been used as the foundation of negotiations and international diplomacy on a macro level. This class offers ways in which these same skills can be applied to micro situations. People working in law enforcement must have the ability to interact with political figures, administration, supervisions, subordinates, and the community. Officers with knowledge of conflict management would be more effective in communicating with people from across the community and with interagency situations.

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Intensive practice in composing powerful audience-driven documents in a variety of real-world business, professional and technical contexts. Students will also learn how to make effective business-related presentations supported with appropriate documentary and visual aids.

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This course instructs students in multimodal composition, which combines the written and spoken word with visual, aural, spatial, and gestural communication modes, with an emphasis on the application of the subject to modern professional contexts. Topics include multimodal composition principles, data-oriented writing, visual rhetoric, and professional multimodal texts, among others.

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Advanced composition course focusing on syntactical and rhetorical skills necessary for effective communication in a variety of professional settings and disciplines. Students will study the principles of sentence construction and persuasion, and learn to perform structural and functional analyses of both in order to address particular audiences in specific situations. They will also explore the relationship between multimodality and accessibility in the creation and reception of meaning. Can be taken in lieu of ENGL 4300 for purposes of Publishing and Editing Certificate and English B.A., Education Track. Open to non-majors.

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This course is designed to help students understand the major functions and skills required by managers. Emphasis is placed on management's role in planning, organizing, leading, and controlling organizational resources.

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A course designed to enable students to become more competitive in their chosen career fields by developing in them an understanding of the importance of increasing global economic interdependence and the challenges of relating to people from other countries or cultures. Same as SOCI 3273.

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Analysis of the causes and consequences of conflicts in and among organizations with strategies and processes for their effective resolution. The course will cover the sources of organizational conflicts, strategies for conflict avoidance, approaches for conflict resolution, and traditional and alternative dispute resolution methods.

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This course is designed to explore the theoretical principles and practical applications of management for charities and/or nonprofit organizations. The underlying thesis of this course is that by understanding fundamental principles such as developing effective mission and objectives statements, fundraising, marketing and accounting strategies, nonprofits can become more effective and responsive to their constituency's needs. The course will include a field research component.

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This course will examine the processes, policies, procedures and laws concerning public personnel. It will also cover the issues of employee protection, motivation, efficiency and responsibility.

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Introduction to organizational process; creation of organizational growth climates; examination and selection of effective leadership styles and effective modes of communication; coping with the future in periods of accelerating change. Course equivalent ORGL 3200.

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Exploration into modes of communication with self, others and environment; a study of verbal and nonverbal conveyances of meaning.

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An introduction to factors affecting the formation, evolution and development of groups and group process. Examines factors affecting groups and group process in a variety of settings. Includes discussion of leadership styles and their impact on group functioning and group process.

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An analysis of the processes for organizational development and renewal with emphasis on individual and organizational health. Special attention will be given to effective processes for change agent in the organizational context.

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A course designed to enable students to become more competitive in their chosen career fields by developing in them an understanding of the importance of increasing global economic interdependence and the challenges of relating to people from other countries or cultures. Same as MGNT 3627.

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Examines the impact of globalization on cultural identity, assesses how economic globalization has influenced the autonomy of the nation-state, and surveys the institutional innovations that have emerged in response to increasing global interdependency.

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A course designed to familiarize students with the history of women and work, the present role of women in the workplace, and current issues affecting working women; and to develop in student skills and strategies for dealing with issues related to women and work. Same as MGNT 4626.

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This seminar explores the intersections of gender and work. The work we do and are expected to do are influenced in large part by our sex and gender. This course will examine how gender influences our ideas of work, how it affects the ways in which work is structured, how work is divided, how work is rewarded, and how work and family compete in a contemporary society. Special attention will be paid to occupational segregation (both horizontal and vertical), wage inequality, and articles, discussion, films, and other media to meet the objectives.

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Melanie Conrad

Melanie Conrad

Associate Dean & Senior Lecturer

Michael D. Hester

Michael D. Hester

Lecturer / Debate Director & CDO Special Assistant

Amy Mendes

Amy Mendes

Lecturer

Misty Wilson

Misty Wilson

Senior Lecturer & Communication Studies Head

No Admissions Data Provided.

Specific dates for Admissions (Undergraduate only), Financial Aid, Fee Payments, Registration, Start/End of term, Final Exams, etc. are available in THE SCOOP.

  1. Students will be able to orally communicate effectively by tailoring their message to a specific context/audience.
  2. Students will be able to detail the recommended steps in the group decision-making process.  
  3. Students will be able to provide practical suggestions for effective conflict management in a specific conflict episode.
  4. Students will be able to explain the role diversity and inclusion play in successful organizations.