Communication Studies

The Human Side of Business

Communication is crucial to business and organizational advancement. As Nancy Zurbuchen, executive director of the KC Council of Women Business Owners, notes, “Nothing happens until somebody communicates something to someone else. Everything we do in business is about effective communication to another individual, a group, an organization or to the masses. Our messages are intended to inform, guide, persuade, build relationships and close the sale.” Nancy received her graduate degree in communication studies from the KU Edwards Campus and sees it as integral to her work as president of Motional Multimedia.

Our 30-credit hour Master of Arts in Communication Studies can help you develop skills that are at the core of career and personal success. The program’s coursework equips students with skills in evaluating messages and strategies in varied settings, helping them to become more effective in their work. Courses include: Organizational Communication, New Communication Technologies, Communication in Coaching and Leadership, Training in Organizations, and Personal Relationships and Communication Technology. The program’s coursework provides an alternative for those who seek a degree as flexible as the MBA, one that will remain relevant even as their career path evolves.

• Our emphasis on practice develops students’ abilities in communication strategy and performance.
• Classes that examine communication context—such as interpersonal, team, organizational, legal, and mediated—provide insights that set our graduates apart.
• Our largely mid-career students bring a wealth of personal and work experiences to the classroom, enhancing everyone’s learning.

Students can complete all requirements for the degree at the Edwards Campus in evening courses taught by the same nationally recognized KU faculty who teach in Lawrence.