Online Communication Graduate Certificate Programs

Take your next step with an online graduate certificate in healthcare management
Request More Information
corporate training

Take your next step with an online graduate certificate in healthcare management 

Purdue’s Department of Communication offers six fully online graduate certificates to help you advance your knowledge in a variety fields within communication in less time than a traditional master’s degree. These certificates teach in-demand skills in to advance your communication skills across all settings.   

Credits from these graduate certificates can be transferred to the Master of Science in Communication program, allowing you to stack credentials in your persistent pursuit of becoming a successful communications professional or executive. Purdue’s Master of Science in Communication was ranked the No. 1 online master’s in communication program by mastersincommunication.org in 2024.  

Stand out with a Purdue certificate in communication

Earning a graduate certificate in communication from Purdue will give you the skills needed to manage top-performing communication organizations.    

Each certificate is composed of three or four fully online courses that can be completed in as little as two semesters. All credits transfer seamlessly into Purdue’s online communications master’s degrees. 

graduate certificate

Explore Offerings

Online Health Communication Graduate Certificate
This graduate certificate will teach you to define and explain health communication and its significance in health systems. You will learn how to apply health communication theory in practical campaign development. After identifying a health communication issue, you will build a strategic communication plan aimed at addressing it. Finally, these courses will demonstrate how advocacy can be incorporated into health communication plans to enhance their success, helping you create impactful and effective communication strategies in the health sector.
Online Branding and Marketing Communication Graduate Certificate

This graduate certificate will equip you to develop communication strategies by integrating marketing, public relations and advertising. You will learn how to facilitate the creation of comprehensive communication plans and craft effective advertising, marketing and branding initiatives. Additionally, the courses will focus on developing messages that drive engagement by applying persuasion theory and best practices within the fields of branding and marketing. By the end, you’ll be prepared to design impactful campaigns that effectively resonate with and influence your target audience.

Online Digital Media and Communication Technology Graduate Certificate

This graduate certificate will teach you to articulate the role of digital and social media communication technologies in designing effective campaigns. You will learn how to use these technologies to implement communication strategies that align with organizational goals. By leveraging social media and digital communication data, you’ll be able to evaluate the impact of messaging strategies. Additionally, the course will explore emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and generative language models, and their influence on the digital communication landscape.

Online Sports Communication Graduate Certificate
The Sports Communication Certificate will teach students strategic sports communication and media management. Coursework covers navigating the 24/7 news cycle and social media landscape, preparing for and responding to crisis events, and enhancing reputational management. The program emphasizes media engagement in both collegiate and professional athletics, providing practical skills for real-world application. Students will gain insight into the fast-paced nature of sports media, equipping them to effectively manage communication in diverse settings, from crisis management to daily operations in a constantly evolving industry.
Online Strategic Communication Management Graduate Certificate
Students in the Strategic Communication Management Graduate Certificate learn from expert faculty who bring years of industry experience to the classroom. Study the communication topics that matter to you and build job-ready skills that will help you excel in your career.

Graduates of the program become well-versed in a variety of different communication techniques and develop a thorough understanding of:

-Planning, executing and evaluating strategic communication plans
-Recognizing communication issues from a global perspective
-Measuring, evaluating and implementing communication campaigns
-Working with communication during times of crisis

Online Communication and Leadership Graduate Certificate
Successful leadership depends upon strong communication skills. The Graduate Certificate in Communication and Leadership will equip you with the strategic communication expertise you need to be an effective leader in a corporate context.

Successful leadership thrives with proper communication utilized within corporate contexts. The online Graduate Certificate in Communication and Leadership will help you develop a strong understanding of corporate communication methods as you learn to apply them in leadership roles within your field. Through courses focused on the application of communication and leadership across various industries and professional settings, the communication and leadership certificate delivers valuable skills such as leading cross-cultural teams, developing techniques for collaboration and effectively communicating with superiors and subordinates.

Guided by expert faculty members who bring their real-world professional experiences to their courses, the communication and leadership certificate program prepares students to succeed in a variety of leadership positions. Course topics include:

-Methods for identifying relevant theories and principles of organizational communication
-Utilization of communication to increase team productivity
-Development of comprehensive internal and external communications plans
-Communication strategies to communicate with executives when stakes are high

Online Professional Development Program Costs

CURRENT TUITION RATES AND FEES*  IN-STATE  OUT-OF-STATE 
Total Cost Per Credit Hour  $520  $820 
Total Credit Hours  9  9 
Total Program Cost  $4,680  $7,180 
  • The cost of attending Purdue varies depending on where you choose to live, enrollment in a specific program or college, food and travel expenses, and other variables. The Office of the Bursar website shows estimated costs for the current aid year for students by semester and academic year. These amounts are used in determining a student’s estimated eligibility for financial aid. You can also use our tuition calculator to estimate tuition costs. 
office items on desk with hands

Courses

Online Health Communication Graduate Certificate

Required course:

  • -COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication

Choose two electives:

  • -COM 57600 Health Communication
  • -COM 64500 Healthcare Communication
  • -COM 65500 Health Advocacy 

Total: Nine credits

Online Branding and Marketing Communication Graduate Certificate

Required course:

  • -COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication

Choose two electives:

  • -COM 64100 Integrated Marketing Communication 
  • -COM 64400 Strategic Personal Branding 
  • -COM 64600 Strategic Corporate Branding 

Total: Nine credits

        Online Digital Media and Communication Technology Graduate Certificate
        • -COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication
        • -COM 62111 Seminar in Strategic Communication and Social Media 
        • -COM 62300 Artificial Intelligence and Social Media 

        Total: Nine credits

            Online Sports Communication Graduate Certificate
            • -COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication 
            • -COM 66100 Sports Communication 
            • -COM 66200 Strategic Sports Media Relations 

            Total: Nine credits

                Online Strategic Communication Management Graduate Certificate

                Required course:

                • -COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication

                Choose two electives:

                • -COM 60911 Strategic Public Relations 
                • -COM 60311 Crisis Communication 
                • -COM 62111 Seminar in Strategic Communication and Social Media 
                • -COM 65000 Communication and leadership 

                Total: Nine credits

                        Online Communication and Leadership Graduate Certificate

                        Require Courses:

                        • -COM 60111 Seminar in Strategic Communication 
                        • -COM 65000 Communication and leadership 

                        Choose two electives:

                        • -COM 65100 Organizational Culture and Internal Communication 
                        • -COM 65200 Communication Training and Education 
                        • -COM 64400 Personal Branding 
                        • -ENGT 50700 Fundamentals of Collaborative Leadership and Agile Strategy 

                        Total: 12 credits

                                  Faculty

                                  Oologie Shoot AAE ClassroomProfessor Steven Collicott

                                  Our esteemed faculty members are committed to delivering a transformative educational experience combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. They foster an inclusive and collaborative online learning environment, nurturing the talents and aspirations of our students. With their guidance, our Master of Science in Communication program equips graduates with the skills and confidence to excel in various communication roles across industries.

                                  FAQs 

                                  Questions and answers 

                                  Please find answers to the most popular questions about Purdue’s online communication graduate certificates asked by many of our new online students. 

                                  DO I NEED A BACKGROUND IN COMMUNICATION TO QUALIFY FOR ADMISSION?

                                  No, communication has a wide variety of applications. Our students come from all different educational and professional backgrounds. We do require students to hold a bachelor’s degree in order to be considered for admission. 

                                  IS FINANCIAL AID AVAILABLE?

                                  While a Purdue graduate student in a non-degree seeking program is not eligible for federal student aid there are other funding options that may be available to you. 

                                  Financial assistance may be available from alternative loan programs. There are a large number of private commercial education loan options available to assist students in meeting college costs. You can obtain more information about alternative loans at www.purdue.edu/dfa/loan-details.html. For specific tuition rates, click here. 

                                  CAN I ENROLL IN THE ONLINE MS IN COMMUNICATION OR MS IN CORPORATE TRAINING AND COMMUNICATION PROGRAM UPON COMPLETION OF THE GRADUATE CERTIFICATE PROGRAM?

                                  Yes, individuals who complete the certificate program can apply to these programs. If accepted they can apply the credits earned from the certificate to the master’s. The student will have to complete an application and pay an additional application fee. 

                                  HOW DO ONLINE CLASSES WORK?

                                  Coursework is asynchronous, meaning that there are not specific times you need to be online. When you start the program, you will be given access to a virtual classroom interface. Your instructor will post coursework, syllabi, assignments, and messages every week. You will also use discussion boards, e-mail, and chat to communicate with your classmates and your instructor. You can log on and do your coursework at any time that is convenient for you, but you must turn in your assignments by the deadlines your instructor sets. 

                                  HOW MUCH TIME SHOULD I ALLOW FOR DOING HOMEWORK AND COMPLETING ASSIGNMENTS?

                                  As in an on-campus program, you should plan on devoting about 15 to 20 hours a week to coursework, depending on your study habits. 

                                  WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HOMEWORK OR NEED HELP WITH A TECHNICAL ISSUE?

                                  The faculty and staff at Purdue are dedicated to your success at the university and in the future. Your instructor will set weekly times for one-on-one electronic consultations and will answer emails in a timely fashion. Technical support is available for system and software issuesOur dedicated team is available to talk to you about financial aid, scheduling, or any other administrative issues. 

                                  WHAT WILL MY TRANSCRIPT SAY?

                                  Post Baccalaureate Certificate in [name of certificate]. 

                                  Request More Information

                                  Please fill out the following form to request more information.

                                  Contact Information

                                  Email: POApply@purdue.edu
                                  Phone: 765-496-0990

                                  office items on desk with hands