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Professional
Communication
Welcome to the Web site for the graduate program in Professional Communication. Communication is essential to organizations, communities, and relationships. Since 1994, Professional Communication students have improved their understanding of communication and applied their newly-developed skills in the workplace. From communication professionals to leaders who see the value of communication in their workplace, our students come from corporations, nonprofit organizations, communication agencies, educational institutions, and the government.
Our Web site offers an overview of Professional Communication, instructions for applying, and resources for current students as they move through the program.
The Graduate Program features two pathways to success: a 36 credit Master of Arts degree in Professional Communication and an 18 credit Certificate in Professional Communication.
Where Tactics Meet Strategy
Both the MA and the Certificate provide students with the fundamental skills expected from advanced professionals, including writing, speaking, and applied research methods. These skills are developed through core classes required of all students.
From this strong core, we develop your ability to strategically manage the complexities of communication in today’s world through applied communication theory and specializations in Public Relations, Communication Management, and Communication Consulting and Development. Students can even design their own general Professional Communication track to meet their individual needs and interests.
Where Theory Meets Practice
Think. Do. That’s our motto.
Our faculty literally wrote the book on blending theory and practice (Marianne Dainton and Elaine D. Zelley, Applying Communication Theory for Professional Life: A Practical Introduction. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage, 2005). Both the full-time and professional faculty bring their experiences to bear in courses that give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills.
The capstone of our program is the Practicum project—a partnership between the student, an organization, and La Salle that requires students to apply what they’ve learned to address an actual organization’s communication needs. Our students have earned company-wide recognition, promotions, and bonuses because of the impact their practicum projects had on the organization.
Where Value Meets Values
According to a recent International Association of Business Communicators membership survey, those with a Master’s degree earned an average of $11,000 more annually than those with only a Bachelors degree. Earning a graduate degree is an investment of time, energy, and financial resource. Our tuition is competitive with area communication graduate programs, and the payoff is tangible. With classmates who are working professionals and strong alumni connections, La Salle gives you the chance to network and open the door to many opportunities.
But we’re concerned both with earning a living and developing lives of value. Ethical challenges face every organization and professional. We’ve made the study of ethics a core part of both the Master’s and Certificate programs, because doing the right thing is the best career, organizational, and life strategy of all.
We welcome you to explore our program, get to know La Salle, and choose Professional Communication.
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Michael Smith, PhD.
Director
Professional Communication Graduate Studies
1900 West Olney Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19141 USA
Phone (215) 951-1155 Fax (215) 951-5043
e-mail: comm@lasalle.edu |
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