UF Offering New Online Master of Arts in Professional Communication

To meet the high demand for professionals with advanced communication skills, the University of Findlay has added an online Master of Arts in Professional Communication to its graduate school offerings.
Courses, offered entirely online, will begin in spring 2018. The new program is designed to be completed in 18 months. It includes eight core courses in subjects such as strategic communication and presentational speaking, and requires that six elective hours be taken. Studies culminate with either a traditional capstone class or a tailored project that applies to real-world challenges.
“The Master of Arts in Professional Communication is designed for professionals who want to update their skill set,” said Cheri Hampton-Farmer, chair of UF’s Department of Communication. “Our local and regional market research indicated a need among professionals for adding soft skills like presentational speaking, strategic communication, and digital or visual communication. Adding or enhancing these types of skills can lead to career advancement for many and they are the skills employers consider valuable and even necessary.”
Hampton-Farmer pointed out that UF’s program is one of the only online professional communication programs in Ohio at the masters level, and students can choose to try several classes to hone specific skills.
The high workforce demand for such professionals is not just regional, but national, Hampton-Farmer explained.
“The Aug. 30, 2016 issues of The Wall Street Journal reported that ‘companies across the U.S. say it is becoming increasingly difficult to find applicants who can communicate clearly, take initiative, problem-solve and get along with co-workers,’” she noted.
Students admitted to the UF program can choose between three degree tracks, including professional, service or health communication, and thesis. Their selection will be dependent upon their career goals and if they intend to earn a Ph.D.
To be considered for admission, candidates must have an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or may be considered for conditional admission with a 2.75 cumulative undergraduate or graduate GPA, and score 460/151 or above on the verbal reasoning portion of the GRE. Other admission requirements apply.
A University of Findlay Master of Arts in Professional Communication will prepare graduates for a wide range of careers that require rhetorical and digital expertise in fields such as government, business, higher education and nonprofit outreach. Synergistic lessons and projects will focus on team building, professional writing, organizational culture and more.