Chair: Carolyn Cunningham
Professors: C. Cunningham, M. Hazel
Associate Professors: P. Shlossberg
Assistant Professor: T. Hayes
The Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies (COML) is designed to provide graduate-level expertise for solving communication problems in modern organizations and social systems from a communication and leadership perspective, and also prepare effective, ethical communicators who use critical thinking for positive local and global change. Organizations depend upon complex formal and informal communication for effective operation in increasingly technologically based, communication networks. What distinguishes the 21st century from the 20th is the unprecedented degree to which communication and information technology enable creation of active networks linking individuals, functions and organizations. The program is grounded in practical, scientific and humanistic theory and methodology, global communication and ethics, and is relevant for those seeking to enhance their communication and leadership knowledge and skills in corporate communications, public relations, media management, media studies, human resources, marketing, strategic planning, training and consulting, media literacy, college teaching, or Ph.D. work in communication.
The degree builds upon the historic tradition of communication as part of the cornerstone of a Jesuit education and lays the groundwork for high leverage knowledge and skills in communication and leadership in today’s complex world. This program combines relevant theories and experiential learning applicable to the latest workplace developments.
The COML master’s degree is designed to meet the needs and schedules of working adults. The online program consists of 30 credits; one short-term, on-campus or virtual immersion is required.
Distinctive features: includes a unique blend of communication and leadership theory and their practical application, a range of visiting scholars and professionals who visit to discuss cutting-edge work in communication and leadership, internship and service-learning opportunities, and optional study abroad experiences.
Admissions
- Students applying to 91Թ University must submit 91Թ’s Graduate Application, which can be accessed online at
- with the application for graduate study, each program at 91Թ has distinct admission requirements. Please refer to the table below to view that detailed information.
Program Name |
How To Apply Link |
Master of Arts in Communication & Leadership (Online) | /online-graduate-programs/online-programs/m-a-communication-leadership-studies/how-to-apply |
Prerequisite:
A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university is required.
Program Outline: 30 credits
Core: 12 credits
Electives: 15 credits from communication (COML) and/or organizational leadership (ORGL) electives
Capstone Sequence: 3 credits
Required Courses: 15 credits |
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COML 595 Theorizing Communication | 3 credits | |
COML 597 Communication and Leadership Ethics | 3 credits | |
COML 598 International and Intercultural Communication | 3 credits | |
COML 599 Content Creation and Strategy | 3 credits | |
COML 602 Communication and Leadership Capstone Seminar (content specific to any concentration) |
3 credits |
Change Leadership Concentration: 12 credits
ORGL 515 Leadership and Human Potential | 3 credits |
ORGL 516 Human Relations and Organization Development | 3 credits |
ORGL 517 Organizational Change and Transformation | 3 credits |
One of the following nine courses: | 3 credits |
COML 504 Organizational Communication
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COML 511 Communication, Consulting, and Training
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COML 598 Intercultural Communication
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ORGL 506 Leadership and Diversity
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ORGL 518 Transforming Leadership
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ORGL 523 Psychology of Leadership
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ORGL 550 Team Building and Leadership
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ORGL 551 Advanced Team Building and Leadership
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ORGL 689 Contemporary Leadership Strategies to Combat Hate
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College Teaching of Communication Concentration: 9 credits
COML 510 Communication Teaching and Pedagogy | 3 credits | |
Choose one of the following two courses |
3 credits | |
COML 520 Internship
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COML 525 Advanced Pedagogy
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One of the following eleven courses: | 3 credits |
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COML 505 Digital Storytelling
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COML 509 Social Media Engagement and Analysis
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COML 511 Communication Consulting and Training
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COML 513 Advanced Topics
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COML 515 Relational Communication
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COML 516 Disinformation in the Digital Age
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COML 518 Online Course Design & Teaching
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COML 522 Renaissance Rhetoric
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COML 530 Women, Communication, Leadership
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COML 550 Visual Data Communication
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COML 572/ ORGL 690 Communication and Community Development
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Digital Media Strategies Concentration: 12 credits
Two of the following three courses: | 6 credits | |
COML 505 Digital Storytelling
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COML 540 Digital Media Analysis
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COML 545 Digital Surveillance, Algorithms, and Ethics
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Two of the following nine courses: | 6 credits |
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COML 504 Organizational Communication and Leadership
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COML 509 Social Media Engagement and Analysis
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COML 512 Strategic and Crisis Communication
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COML 516 Disinformation in the Digital Age
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COML 518 Online Course Design and Teaching
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COML 541 Advanced Digital Media Analysis
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COML 550 Visual Data Communication
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COML 555 Artificial Intelligence and Communication
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COML 570 Introduction to Global Systems
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COML 572 Communication and Community Development
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Global Leadership Concentration: 12 credits
ORGL 570/COML 570 Introduction to Global Systems | 3 credits | |
Required Study Abroad Immersion or Internship: | 3 credits |
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ORGL 690/COML 572 Communication, Leadership, Community Development
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ORGL 577 Methods of Inquiry and Strategy for Contemporary Global Issues
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;ORGL 689 Special Topics: Understanding Europe in the Age of Uncertainty - includes study abroad in Czech Republic
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Two of the following seven courses:* | 6 credits |
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ORGL 517 Organizational Change and Transformation
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ORGL 510 Renaissance Leadership for the 21st Century - includes 14 day study abroad in Italy
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ORGL 518 Transforming Leadership
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ORGL 520 Conflict Resolution
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ORGL 535 Listen, Discern, and Decide
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ORGL 689 Leadership & Hardiness
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ORGL 689 Global Citizenship
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Note: *Other COML courses may be substituted on a case by case basis as approved by the COML Department Chair.
Servant Leadership Concentration: 12 credits
ORGL 530 Servant Leadership | 3 credits |
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ORGL 537 Foresight and Strategy | 3 credits |
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Two of the following eight courses:* | 6 credits |
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COML 504 Organizational Communication
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COML 507 Mindful Leadership and Communication
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ORGL 510 Renaissance Leadership for the 21st Century
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COML 515 Relational Communication
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ORGL 522 Leadership & Community
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ORGL 532 Leadership Justice and Forgiveness
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ORGL 535 Listen, Discern, and Decide
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ORGL 689 Leadership and Hardiness
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Note: *Other ORGL or cross-listed courses may meet the Servant-leader criteria and must be approved by the advisor.
Strategic and Organizational Communication Concentration: 9 credits
One of the following two courses: |
3 credits |
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COML 504 Organizational Communication
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COML 512 Strategic and Crisis Communication
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Two of the following eight courses: | 6 credits | |
COML 505 Digital Storytelling
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COML 509 Social Media Engagement and Analysis
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COML 511 Communication Consulting and Training
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COML 514 Strategic and Applied Public Relations
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COML 515 Relational Communication
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COML 530 Women, Communication, Leadership
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COML 540 Digital Media Analysis
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COML 541 Advanced Digital Media Analysis
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Note: Other COML courses may be substituted on a case by case basis as approved by the COML Department Chair. Students can also take both courses listed as required course options and one additional elective course.
LDRS 601 - OK if taken since Fall 2024
LDRS 602 - OK if taken since Fall 2024
LDRS 603 - OK if taken since Fall 2024
LDRS 604 - OK if taken since Fall 2024