The University of Texas Pan-American
 

The Graduate Program in Communication offers Certificates in:

  1. Media Relations and Strategic Communication
  2. Training and Consulting

Application Procedure

The application/admission process is accomplished online. You should make application for admission to the Graduate School online on the ASSIST website.

You will be applying for admission to the MA program in Communication. In addition to the information required by the Graduate School, you will need to provide the following:

  1. Undergraduate and (if applicable) Graduate Transcripts
  2. Three letters of Recommendation.  These letters should be provided online.

    Therefore, provide the email addresses for your references during the application process.  The Graduate School will contact your references via email.  References will be assigned PIN numbers that well allow them to provide recommendations online. Recommendation may be provided by any individual who you feel is qualified to make an evaluation of your qualification.

  3. Writing Sample/Essay

    500 word essay addressing:   “The importance of communication training to you, your goals, and your ability to perform personally and professionally.”

  1. Certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication
  2. DESCRIPTION:

    The Certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication is a 9-hour (graduate level) sequence of courses designed to provide the essential content and methods for professionals who need competencies in managing crisis communication, creating public events, mobilizing public opinions, communicating with elected and government officials, and developing workshops to help their clients attain goals. This certificate is ideal for the graduate student who wants to:

    • Develop, critique, and deliver effective media campaigns.
    • Use targeted messages to accomplish strategic influence.
    • Understand and appreciate the role media play in a variety of social, heath, organizational, educational, and political settings.
    • Apply communication theories to enhance the effectiveness of media campaigns

    This program may be completed as a cognate area of study for masters or doctoral students in a variety of areas including advertising, public relations, marketing, education, and health professions, or other related degree programs. Students who complete the Certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication may seek permission to apply the credit earned toward an MA degree in Communication. Admission requirements for the Certificate program are identical to the requirements for being admitted to The University of Texas–Pan American Graduate School.

    BENEFITS

    According to scholars who study organizational effectiveness, management consultants, as well as corporate Chief Executive Officers, the ability to communicate and skillfully lead others are the most important factors contributing to success in today’s information-driven marketplace. Whether interacting with customers, clients, or colleagues, the ability to understand and respond to the messages of others are among the most valued strategies in any organization’s visionary blueprint for success. Given that effective communication and collaborative leadership are practically worshiped by most corporate executives, enhancing communication, management, and leadership skills can be a challenge. The certificate program in Communication Training and Consulting is designed to help the communication professional increase the effectiveness of organizations—develop effective communication, and improve leadership and management skills by training people to improve their interactions with others.

    CURRICULUM:

    Students in the Certificate Program take the following two core courses

    • COMM 6332: Mass Media Campaigns
    • COMM 6356: Seminar in Persuasion

    Students select one of the following elective courses:

    • COMM 6351: Communication Technology
    • COMM 6352: Media, Race & Ethnicity
    • COMM 6360: Historical Studies in Mass Media
    • COMM 6329: Special Topics in Communication:

      • Advertising Strategies in Education Marketing
      • Health Communication
      • Political Communication
      • Crisis Communication
  1. Certificate in Communication Training and Consulting
  2. DESCRIPTION:

    The Certificate in Communication Training and Consulting is a 9-hour (graduate level) sequence of courses designed to provide the essential content and methods for professionals who need skills and competencies in communication, training, human resource development, and organizational development. This certificate is ideal for the graduate student who wants to learn:

    • How communication functions in organizations.
    • How to develop, deliver, and assess communication training and development programs.
    • How communication theories help explain and predict communication effectiveness in organizations.
    • How to enhance communication skills and competencies in an organization.

    This program may be completed as a cognate area of study for masters or doctoral students in a variety of areas including business, education, health professions, or other related degree programs. Students who complete the Certificate in Communication Training and Consulting may seek permission to apply the credit earned toward an MA degree in Communication. Admission requirements for the Certificate program are identical to the requirements for being admitted to The University of Texas-Pan American Graduate School. MA program in Communication.

    BENEFITS

    Put simply, creating, changing, or mobilizing public opinion requires effective, strategic communicative efforts. Messages designed to achieve these ends must compete for attention in a crowded media environment. Strategic communication, campaign planning, and media relations are key elements to the success of the organization’s message. According to scholars and experts in the field, the importance of communicating with the various stakeholders is paramount to the success of any organization. Communication is even more critical in these economic times to preserve and strengthen an organization’s reputation. The certificate in Media Relations and Strategic Communication provides valuable insight for the communication professional to design effective persuasive messages, enhance the quality of media relations and to improve the impact of mass media campaigns.

    CURRICULUM:

    Students in the Certificate Program take the following two core courses

    • COMM 6330: Seminar in Training and Consulting
    • COMM 6324: Seminar in Organizational Communication

    Students select one of the following elective courses:

    • COMM 6321: Seminar in Instructional Communication
    • COMM 6323: Seminar in Interpersonal Communication
    • COMM 6355: Professional Speaking
    • COMM 6329: Special Topics in Communication:
      • Communication Assessment
      • Conflict Management

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Does a person need to be enrolled in the Graduate program in Communication to be eligible to enroll in Certificate-related courses?

Qualified candidates for the certificate program must be accepted by the Graduate School. They do not need to be enrolled in the Graduate program in Communication.

At what times are the Certificate classes held?

All graduate/certificate courses are offered during the evenings, Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 7:00, 5:45 to 8:25 and 7:10 to 9:55.

Are any Certificate-related courses offered online?

Unfortunately, we do not offer any graduate/certificate courses online at this time.

What does a Certificate provide the recipient? What does a Graduate Certificate mean?

A Certificate is a formal recognition of a candidate’s successful completion of select course work.  That coursework was designed to provide the candidate with specific knowledge and skills within the area designated by the certificate.

Is an earned Certificate the same as a Master of Arts degree?

No, a Certificate is not the same as a Master of Arts degree (MA). A certificate is not a degree.

Students who complete the requirements for a Certificatemay seek permission to apply the credits earned toward an MA degree in Communication. Admission requirements for the Certificate program are identical to the requirements for being admitted to The University of Texas–Pan American Graduate School.

Where are the Certificate courses taught?

The majority of the graduate/certificate courses will be offered at the UTPA, McAllen Teaching Site located at 318 South Main, McAllen. However, some courses may be offered on the UTPA campus.

What materials are required for admission to the Graduate Program in Communication?

In addition to the information required by the Graduate School, you will need to provide the following:

  1. Undergraduate and (if applicable) Graduate Transcripts
  2. Three letters of Recommendation.  These letters should be provided online.
  3. Therefore, provide the email addresses for your references during the application process. The Graduate School will contact your references via email. References will be assigned PIN numbers that well allow them to provide recommendationsonline. Recommendation may be provided by any individual who you feel is qualified to make an evaluation of your qualification

  4. Writing Sample/Essay
  5. 500 word essay addressing:   “The importance of communication training to you, your goals, and your ability to perform personally and professionally.”

How do I apply for the Certificate Program?

First, the application/admission process is accomplished online. You should make application for admission to the Graduate School online:

» Apply to Graduate School

How are letters of recommendations submitted?

Candidates need to provide the names and email addresses for references as part of the online application process made through the Graduate School. The Graduate School will contact each reference and provide them with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to be used to submit reference letters as part of the candidate’s admission file.

Do letters of recommendations need to come from Professors?

Letters of recommendation can be from any individual who you believe is able to speak to your qualifications and potential.

Who can be contacted for assistance with Certificate Programs?

If you have need of more personalized assistance, you may call me at (956) 381-2376 or by email at mcquillen@panam.edu.  I will be glad to assist.

1201 W. University Drive Edinburg, TX 78539-2999
956/665-UTPA  1-866-441-UTPA
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