Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Organizational Communication at the University of Kansas equips students with the advanced communication knowledge and applied skills needed to succeed in complex organizational environments. Designed for professionals working across business, nonprofit, government, healthcare, and educational settings, this interdisciplinary program explores how communication influences organizational culture, leadership, decision-making, and change.
Graduates of the organizational communication degree program are prepared to navigate the communication challenges faced by modern organizations, including rapid technological change, distributed workforces, and evolving stakeholder expectations. The program emphasizes evidence-based communication strategies that foster collaboration, innovation, and organizational effectiveness while helping professionals become ethical and persuasive communicators in leadership and advisory roles.
The curriculum balances theoretical foundations with real-world application. Students examine communication processes at multiple levels of organizations, including interpersonal, team, and institutional contexts. Coursework covers topics such as leadership communication, organizational culture, conflict dynamics, employee engagement, and strategic messaging, ensuring graduates can diagnose communication problems and design solutions that support organizational goals.
Key Program Features
- Practical Experience: Students analyze real organizational communication challenges through applied projects, case studies, and research-based assignments.
- Tailored Curriculum: Flexible coursework allows students to focus on leadership, culture, conflict, or strategic communication within organizations.
- Expert Faculty: Courses are taught by faculty with expertise in organizational communication theory, research, and professional practice.
- Professional Development: Opportunities to engage in research, networking, and applied learning that strengthen career readiness.
At its core, organizational communication is the study of how communication functions within organizations, including how messages are created, interpreted, and shared through formal and informal structures. This field examines relationships among individuals, teams, leaders, and stakeholders, with particular attention to how communication shapes organizational identity, culture, and effectiveness.
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Graduate
For more information about the program, visit the program page below.
Organizational Communication, MAKU School of Professional Studies
The Master’s in Organizational Communication is part of the KU School of Professional Studies, offering cutting-edge programs that develop sought-after skills.Master’s in Organizational Communication Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the organizational communications master’s, students will be able to:
- Employ organizational communication theories, perspectives, principles, and concepts.
- Apply ethical organizational communication principles and practices.
- Create messages appropriate to the audience, purpose, and context.
- Engage in organizational communication inquiry.
What Careers are Possible with a Master’s in Organizational Communication?
Graduates pursue a wide range of organizational communication jobs across corporate, nonprofit, government, healthcare, and educational settings.
Career paths include:
- Corporate Communication Specialist
- Organizational Development Manager
- Public Relations Officer
- Human Resources Communication Specialist
- Employee Relations Manager
According to Lightcast, employment for graduates with an organizational communications master’s is projected to grow by approximately 8% over the next 10 years, with median national earnings around $83,000 per year.
Tuition and Financial Aid
The cost of the master’s in organizational communication program varies based on residency status. The University of Kansas provides a range of financial aid options for graduate students, including scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships. Graduate students may also be eligible for federal loans. Additionally, working as a research or teaching assistant offers the opportunity for financial support while gaining valuable academic experience.
For more information on tuition rates, scholarships, and financial aid, please visit KU Financial Aid.
Admission Requirements
To apply for the organizational communications master’s, prospective students must meet the following requirements:
- An accredited bachelor’s degree including official transcripts
- Resume/CV
- 2-3 page statement of purpose letter indicating the importance of your goals and academic interests and how these goals and interests could be satisfied by studying Organizational Communication.
- Research or professional writing sample
- One letter of recommendation from an individual in a position to comment meaningfully on the applicant’s potential for graduate work.
Applicants are evaluated on the overall strength of their materials based on a balance of the following criteria: academic record as reflected in overall GPA; the strength of the recommendation letter; and the strength of the statement of purpose submitted by the student. The final decision is based on the overall strength of the application as reflected in all of the criteria listed.
For more details about the application process, visit KU Graduate Admissions.
Student Life and Learning Experiences
The organizational communication program emphasizes collaborative learning, applied research, and professional engagement.
Students enrolled in the online organizational communications master’s experience a learning environment that supports flexibility, peer interaction, and sustained faculty engagement.
Master’s in Organizational Communication Sample Courses
The organizational communication program at KU offers a diverse range of courses that allow students to develop expertise in communication within organizations. Some sample courses include:
- Writing and Speaking for Decision Makers
- Organizational Communication Strategies
- Interview-Based Research in Organizations
- Intercultural Communication in Organizations
- Employee Onboarding and Role Development
- Conflict Dynamics in Organizations
For a complete list of courses and detailed descriptions, visit the KU Catalog.
Master’s in Organizational Communication Frequently Asked Questions
When should I apply?
Application deadlines for each entry term are:
- Spring semester: Priority deadline of Oct. 2, final deadline of Dec. 17.
- Summer semester: Priority deadline of Mar. 3, final deadline of May 1.
- Fall semester: Priority deadline of Mar. 3, final deadline of Aug. 4.
How long will it take to complete the degree?
Students typically complete this degree in two years.