Master of Arts - Communication and Leadership
Mission
The Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership is a 30 graduate credit hour interdisciplinary program that provides knowledge, skills, and experiences for continuous self and system improvement within a complex, changing, and global context. The program is designed to develop collaborative, adaptive, and innovative leaders with a focus on the development of multiple communication skills, self-awareness, and strategic thinking. The program is designed to be part-time and can be completed entirely online using highly interactive and intuitive learning management and video conference systems.
The Master’s degree in Communication and Leadership serves professionals interested in a part-time post-graduate degree that provides knowledge and skills to advance their careers. The curriculum is designed to provide flexibility for diverse students as they pursue career and professional goals. Because leadership, teamwork, communication skills, and problem-solving abilities are the attributes most desired by employers, the curriculum will directly address these areas.
This program is in collaboration with the Aleshire Center for Leadership and Community Engagement.
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the program students will be able to:
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Apply communication knowledge to improve core competencies, including problem-solving, facilitating dialogue, listening, managing conflict, and persuading.
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Combine theoretical knowledge and practical skills to resolve organizational, civic, and professional issues and improve decision-making in real-world situations.
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Demonstrate advanced knowledge in sub-fields of communication, such as community dialogue, persuasion, conflict, negotiation, and team communication.
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Evaluate the implementation of resources needed to achieve strategic organizational leadership within complex systems.
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Evaluate the role of authentic leadership (including values and ethics) in creating change within systems.
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Design policy and system-level change for organizational/community improvement at the personal and community levels.
Academic Advising
The Program Director of the Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Program does all academic advising for students. Students are required to consult with the advisor every semester to decide the student’s class schedule for the coming semester so that courses are taken when available to ensure a timely graduation. Permission for enrollment in any class for which the instructor feels the student’s background and preparation are inadequate will be withdrawn. Students are expected to inform Washburn University and the Program Director of any changes of their permanent and current address and contact information. International students must inform the International Student Office as well. Students are expected to check their Washburn University e-mail regularly, as official communications may be sent by e-mail.
Grades
The symbols used in grading are as follows: A, excellent; B, well above average; C, average; D, below average but passing; F, failure. In computing grade point averages: A equals 4; B equals 3; C equals 2; D equals 1; F equals 0. No grade below “C” is acceptable for graduate credit.
To graduate, students are required to have at least a 3.0 grade point average.
Incomplete Grades and Continuous Enrollment
Incomplete grades are awarded in accordance with the Grading System described in the Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog. Effective Fall 2016, students pursuing a graduate degree who have completed all degree requirements, and have enrolled in but not completed a capstone, practicum, or thesis, will be required to maintain continuous enrollment at Washburn University until graduation (unless a leave has been approved). Continuous enrollment means that candidates must be enrolled in at least one credit hour until degree requirements are met. This requirement also applies to the summer term for students whose degrees are being awarded at the end of the summer term. Interruption of continuous registration due to a failure to follow this requirement will result in a need for readmission to the program.
Satisfactory Progress
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 in graduate courses to remain in good standing. Students whose GPAs fall below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation for one semester during which time they must raise their GPA to 3.0 or higher. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program. Academic probation will be granted only once. The program of study must be completed within a six-year time span.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the program must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate work, and a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.
Application Procedures
The applicant should submit the following:
- The University online graduate application admission form. You can access the form from the Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership webpage.
- A resume.
- Other items needed to complete the application are based on your undergraduate GPA as follows:
- Students with at least a 3.5 undergraduate GPA (cumulative or in their last 60 hours) can just fill in the application and submit transcripts and resume to be accepted.
- Students with a 3.0-3.49 undergraduate GPA (cumulative or in their last 60 hours) must submit the application, transcripts, resume, and a writing sample from an undergraduate class.
- Students with a 2.5-2.99 undergraduate GPA (cumulative or in their last 60 hours) must submit the application, transcript, resume, a writing sample from an undergraduate class, and at least one recommendation as currently facilitated via CollegeNet.
- Students with an undergraduate GPA below a 2.5 (cumulative or in their last 60 hours) must submit the application, transcript, resume, a writing sample from an undergraduate course, and contact information for 3 persons who can provide a recommendation as currently facilitated via CollegeNet.
- NOTE: Students with an UG GPA below a 2.5 GPA will be considered for conditional admission provided all other aspects of their application check out. This will require the student to maintain a 3.0 GPA in their first two courses in the program.
International Admission
Admission Requirements:
- Hold a university credential that is equivalent to a US baccalaureate (Bachelor’s) degree.
- All Transcripts from non-US institutions must be evaluated by a recognized evaluation service (e.g. ECE or WES).
- Arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted by academicians, employers, or other persons who can attest to the applicant’s potential for success in graduate study in communication and leadership. These letters should be sent to the Communication Studies Department, Morgan 206, Washburn University, Topeka, Kansas 66621.
- Meet the required level of English proficiency by iBT TOEFL score, IELTS, or another accepted measure of English proficiency. Contact international@washburn.edu with questions regarding this requirement.
- Submit the required international application materials to the Office of International Admissions. A complete list of the required documentation can be viewed on-line at https://www.washburn.edu/academics/international-programs/international-students/index.html.
Transfer Credit
Transfer credit from other accredited graduate programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Degree Requirements
- A minimum of 30 semester hours of credit.
- A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0.
- At least two-thirds of the semester hours required for the degree must be earned at Washburn University.
- All course work must be completed within six (6) calendar years.
Program Requirements
All courses will be offered online in eight-week terms. Two eight-week online courses are offered each semester in a rotation that provides convenience and flexibility for the working graduate student and allows the program to be completed in as little as two years.
Courses (total of 30 credit hours)
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CN 601 | Introduction to Graduate Study - Communication Study | 3 |
| LE 601 | Self and Systems Leadership | 3 |
| LE 620 | Leadership/Resource Stewardship | 3 |
| LE 630 | Organization Improvement & Innovation | 3 |
| CN 630 | Communication-Conflict/Negotiation | 3 |
| LE 640 | Public Policy & Global Leadership | 3 |
| CN 642 | Team Communication in Organizations | 3 |
| CN 645 | Community Dialogue & Deliberation | 3 |
| CN 650 | Persuasion | 3 |
| CN 698 | Capstone | 3 |
| or LE 698 | Communication/Leadership Capstone Experience | |
| Total Hours | 30 | |