Communication Graduate Certificates

Program Overview
Admissions Requirements
Courses
Tuition & Aid

As the modern technological revolution continues to reshape how we communicate, you need essential knowledge and skills to build a meaningful career in this dynamic environment. Communication is at the heart of human interaction, and the foundation of effective communication is persuasion, influencing the attitudes, beliefs, values, opinions and behaviors of targeted audiences.

To help you quickly upgrade your communication skills, Lipscomb University has created six graduate certificate programs in a variety of communication areas. Gain valuable insights about the nuanced art of communication that you can apply in the public or private sector in almost any field or industry. Focus on an area of communication specific to your work or career path, or supplement your graduate degree with specialized communication skills.

To fit your schedule, these certificate programs are offered in a convenient online format with a virtual class meeting once a week.

Communication Graduate Certificate Options

Advertising

Crisis, Emergency and Risk Communication

Well suited for those in roles involving emergency management, crisis communication, health care administration, organizational leadership, and many more in both the public and private sectors, this graduate certificate explores the nature of messages and stressful circumstances. Specific communication contexts covered include warnings, public health messages, risk communication, communication in disasters and emergencies, as well as crisis response, management and recovery.

Health Care Communication

Intercultural Communication

Explore aspects of cultural orientations and interpersonal communication across cultures in one-on-one interactions, groups, teams and diverse organizations both in domestic and international contexts. For anyone whose work crosses cultural boundaries, this certificate will equip you to better navigate differences in cultural norms and build communication competence that can add value to your role in any industry or setting.

Public Health Communication

Strategically communicate to keep people safe and well by addressing health issues, and influence individuals, communities and public policy decisions in ways that enhance health and wellness. This program has a particular focus on communicating about issues of health and health behaviors to large audiences, such as in public health campaigns, health education and wellness initiatives.

Public Relations

Why Choose a Lipscomb University Communication Graduate Certificate?

Careers in communication have a 10% (faster than average) projected growth rate in Tennessee and 8% nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Equipped with the knowledge and strategic insights gained through advanced studies of communication at Lipscomb, you will graduate well prepared to pursue career opportunities available in many different sectors of the economy.

Admissions Requirements

Ready to apply to a communication graduate certificate program at Lipscomb University? Let’s get started. We’re here to help at every step. Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit the following for admission review and enrollment:

Completed online application
$50 non-refundable application fee
Official college transcripts from all previously attended colleges and universities (including graduate, if applicable)
Two letters of reference
Résumé
Goals statement describing career aspirations
Interview with faculty (virtually or by phone)

For transcripts, electronic copies can be emailed directly from your undergraduate institution to gradadmissions@lipscomb.edu.

If you are having a hard copy mailed, have it sent to:

Lipscomb University
Graduate Admissions
One University Park Drive
Nashville, TN 37204

Prior coursework and experience in communication, including advertising, public relations, mass communication or communication social sciences are desirable but not required.

Application Deadlines

Fall
Priority deadline: June 1 with decisions released on June 10
Final deadline: August 1

Spring
Priority deadline: November 1 with decisions released on November 10
Final deadline: December 10

Please note: You may submit your application and required materials prior to the priority deadline; admission decisions and interviews are conducted on a rolling basis.

International Students

Courses

Lipscomb University’s communication graduate certificate programs consist of five courses totaling 15 credit hours of study. If you decide to earn a graduate degree at Lipscomb, these credits can apply toward a master’s in Advertising, Health Communication or Public Relations.

Advertising Certificate Courses

Required Courses (15 hours)

ADV 6013 Multimedia, Web and Visual Communication
ADV 6023 Consumer Behavior/Audience Analytics
ADV 6033 Account Management and Advertising Campaigns
ADV 6313 Seminar in Advertising

Select one (3 credit hours):

ADV 6043 Layout, Copy and Design Efficacy Variables
ADV 6123 Integrating Data Analysis and Creative Practices
ADV 6213 Advertising Innovations and Creativity

Crisis and Emergency Risk Communication Certificate Courses

Health Care Communication Certificate Courses

Intercultural Communication Certificate Courses

Public Health Communication Certificate Courses

Public Relations Certificate Courses

Required Courses (12 hours):

PR 6003 Public Relations Campaigns
PR 6013 PR Effectiveness: Measurements and Assessment
PR 6243 Crisis and Emergency Communication
PR 6313 Seminar in Public Relations

Select one (3 credit hours):

PR 6023 The PR Spokesperson and Executive Speechwriter
PR 6123 Social Media and New Media Channels
PR 6133 Fundraising and Philanthropy Communication

Tuition & Aid

Lipscomb University’s world-class education is a smart investment for your future. The communication graduate certificate program tuition is $1,030* per credit hour. You can also apply for financial aid to reduce your cost of attendance. Learn more about our financial aid options.

*Note: Graduate tuition rates may increase annually, effective at the start of the summer term.

Types of Aid

Student Loans

Federal Stafford Loan

A borrower must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment for at least six semester hours and must be working toward a degree or certificate. Loans must be actively accepted in myLipscomb in order to be applied as an expected payment to the student bill. Stafford Loans will not pay until the student has completed both Entrance Counseling and the Master Promissory Note at studentloans.gov. Loans will not be credited to accounts until 30 days after classes begin or when a student begins the sixth credit hour, whichever comes last. This loan requires credit approval by the Department of Education as well as a FAFSA submission.

Graduate PLUS Loan

Private Loans

In addition to the federal loans outlined here, you may consider private loans made by banks and other financial institutions. It is recommended that private loans only be considered in instances where funding is needed in addition to any federal loans, as interest rates may be higher. Eligibility for these loans requires a credit check, and students are often required to have a cosigner to qualify.

Contact Information

Practical Applied Experiential Curriculum

With an immersive course of study emphasizing experiential learning, you will build skills and experience while expanding your knowledge of professional best practices in our relevant, cutting-edge curriculum.

World-Class Subject Matter Expert Faculty

Guided by distinguished communication experts and prominent guest faculty members with years of professional experience in the field, you will learn the most current industry best practices and forward-thinking communication strategies that you need to elevate your career as a professional communicator.

Professional Contacts and Career Networking

Lipscomb’s communication graduate certificate programs provide ample networking opportunities. You can build a network among your peers and with connected faculty who will provide support and encouragement during your time in the program and beyond. These connections can help you open more doors to a variety of career paths.

Global Perspectives

Through coursework focused on international communication, you’ll gain a global perspective that will help you deliver clear messaging across cultural boundaries.

Our Faculty

Bob Chandler

Director, Graduate and Professional Programs

Dr. Chandler directs the Graduate Studies in Communication programs for the School of Communication. He provides leadership for the graduate and professional programs in communication as well as serving as...
Meet Bob Chandler

Career Paths

Agency

Work with multiple clients as a professional in a PR, advertising or communication agency. Help clients earn positive image coverage with local and national media, manage multi-channel communication messaging and build relationships with key stakeholders and constituents. Effectively work with clients and media outlets to create, buy media to place, implement and assess communication efforts and campaigns.

Corporate

Build relationships and promote the reputation of your company as part of an “in-house” team that provides a full range of communication services. Help your organization earn positive image coverage with local and national media, manage multi-channel communication messaging and build relationships with key stakeholders and constituents. Effectively work with external partners and media outlets to create, buy media to place, implement and assess communication efforts and campaigns of your company.

Not-for-profit

Help your charitable, service, religious, educational, professional association, political or social issue organization earn positive image coverage with local and national media, manage multi-channel communication messaging to constituents and the public, effectively fundraise and build lasting relationships with donors as well as with key stakeholders and constituents using 21st century communication channels and methods. Oversee the issues persuasion, attitude and behavioral action, and advocacy advertising for a not-for-profit organization as a communication manager working as part of an “in-house” communication team.

Crisis and Emergency Communication Specialist

Crisis, emergency and disaster communication management is a highly specialized small but expanding career field that spans both the private and public sectors. Crisis communication managers are responsible for planning and implementing the notification and communication response to a major threat to a business, school or community. They identify risks, prepare contingency and recovery communication plans, and manage information resources during the crisis. Careers include corporate communication, public relations, emergency management, product safety (product recall communication specialists), and emergency notification specialists.

Health Communication Specialist

A health communication specialist is often a content expert and advisor for national and state level public agencies such as the CDC, HHS, FDA, CPSC, state and county health departments, as well as major private sector companies along with a wide range of health, regulatory or human services programs that utilize health communication specialists. The demand for a variety of health communication experts has grown exponentially and includes several national agencies and all the state governments. For example, in 2020 the CDC activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) and Joint Information Center (JIC) to lead the national coronavirus (COVID-19) public health communication response creating a demand for those with health communication knowledge and skills.