Online Communication Graduate Certificates
ONLINE Communication Graduate Certificates
Earn your graduate certificate and establish yourself as a communication leader
Purdue University’s online graduate certificate programs bridge the gap between academic research and industry practice, giving you dynamic skills in organizational relationships, advertising, digital communication, health communication, sports communication, branding and other in-demand skills that you can use to move your industry forward. These cutting-edge programs offer the same academic rigor and career-enhancing connections as our on-campus programs. Led by expert instructors, many who are actively working in the communication field, our courses entail real-world insights and the latest industry techniques.
Graduate certificates can be earned in a fraction of the time needed for a full master’s degree, enabling you to quickly upskill and help advance your career. All credits earned can be directly applied toward an online master’s degree in communication from Purdue.
Branding and Marketing Communication
Digital Media and Communication Technology
Strategic Communication Management
Communication and Leadership
health Communication
Sports Communication
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Graduate Certificate in Branding and Marketing Communication
Purdue University’s innovative online Graduate Certificate in Branding and Marketing prepares students with the high-level skills needed to move into top roles in the field of communication. This includes using persuasion theory to develop strategies and branding initiatives that integrate marketing, advertising and public relations — creating cohesive and impactful communication plans. The program teaches the importance of a unified approach to branding and messaging, ensuring consistency and effectiveness across all channels and audiences in today’s interconnected communication landscape.
- Marketing professionals looking to deepen their skills in branding and communication strategy.
- Public relations specialists aiming to expand into integrated marketing and branding roles.
- Professionals with a bachelor’s degree who wish to further their education without the commitment of a full degree program.
- Nine credit hours required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (recommended) or equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
- Develop communication strategies that reflect the integration of marketing, public relations and advertising.
- Facilitate the development of communication plans.
- Create advertising, marketing and branding initiatives.
- Develop messages that increase engagement using persuasion theory and best practices.
- Brand Manager
- Directors of Communications
- Public Relations Manager
- Directors of Development Communications
Graduate Certificate in Digital Media and Communication Technology
Purdue University’s innovative online Graduate Certificate in Digital Media and Communication Technology allows students to gain advanced knowledge in digital communication and technologies like artificial intelligence, preparing them for top-level roles in the communication industries. In this flexible program, students will develop the ability to articulate the role of digital and social media communication technology in transforming communication industries and prepare themselves to excel in the digital media landscape.
- Digital marketers who want to master communication technologies and data-driven strategies.
- Media strategists looking to incorporate new technologies like AI and generative language models.
- Communication professionals looking to enhance their skills in digital and social media strategies.
- Professionals with a bachelor’s degree who wish to further their education without the commitment of a full degree program.
- Nine credit hours required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (recommended) or equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
- Articulate the role of digital and social media technologies in communication campaigns.
- Use communication technologies to implement strategies that meet organizational goals.
- Leverage data to evaluate the impact of messaging on stakeholders.
- Assess the role of emerging technologies like AI and generative language models in communication.
- Digital Communications Director
- Content Strategist
- Digital Media Analyst
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management
Purdue University’s innovative online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management gives students hands-on experience leveraging strategic communication for organizational success, including internal communication tactics and external public relations campaigns. In this program, students will develop plans tailored to the unique needs of specific audiences and prepare themselves for leadership positions, all while studying 100% online in a flexible format.
- Communication professionals seeking advanced skills in strategic communication.
- Public relations specialists looking to expand their expertise in crisis communication and media relations.
- Corporate communication managers wanting to enhance their ability to design and evaluate communication plans.
- Professionals with a bachelor’s degree who wish to further their education without the commitment of a full degree program.
- Nine credit hours required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (recommended) or equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
- Use stakeholder relationship management to create effective messaging quickly.
- Tailor plans to meet the needs of specific audiences for better impact.
- Respond to organizational crises ethically.
- Address global challenges in strategic communication.
- Communications Specialists
- Directors of Development
- Copywriters
- Communications Managers / Coordinators
Graduate Certificate in Communication and Leadership
Purdue University’s innovative online Graduate Certificate in Communication and Leadership allows students to learn relevant theories and principles of leadership, organizational communication and data-informed communications planning — preparing them for top-level communication roles. In this flexible program, students will develop comprehensive internal and external communication plans that can be applied to real organizations.
- Professionals looking to improve their cross-cultural leadership and team collaboration abilities.
- Aspiring leaders aiming to manage and communicate effectively in diverse professional settings.
- Managers interested in developing comprehensive communication plans for organizational success.
- 12 credit hours required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (recommended) or equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
- Identify key theories and principles of leadership, communication and data-driven planning.
- Understand how communication boosts team productivity.
- Develop internal and external communications plans.
- Create a plan to achieve market leadership.
- Advise peers on communication challenges.
- Identify strategies for high-stakes communication with executives and explain leadership’s role in global communication.
- Technical Writers
- Communications Specialists
- Copywriters
- Proposal Writers
- Communications Coordinators
Graduate Certificate in Health Communication
Purdue University’s innovative online Graduate Certificate in Health Communication gives students in-demand skills for effective communication in the healthcare industry. In this program, students will learn to lead effective communication strategies in healthcare settings — drawing on key theories of leadership and organizational communication, enhancing team productivity, developing comprehensive communication plans, and navigating high-stakes executive communication with cultural and strategic insight. After earning the certificate, students will be prepared for leadership positions in the health industry.
- Healthcare professionals looking to strengthen communication with patients, teams or stakeholders.
- Professionals seeking a career change who are interested in entering the health communication space.
- Professionals with a bachelor’s degree who wish to further their education without the commitment of a full degree program.
- Nine credit hours required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (recommended) or equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
- Identify relevant theories and principles of leadership, organizational communication and data-informed communications planning in a healthcare setting.
- Understand how communication can increase team productivity.
- Develop comprehensive internal and external healthcare communications plans.
- Construct a communications plan to achieve a leadership position in a marketplace.
- Advise peers and colleagues as they work through their own communication challenges.
- Identify communication strategies to communicate with executives when stakes are high.
- Explain the role of leadership and culture in global strategic communication.
- Health Communication Specialist
- Medical Writer
- Director of Healthcare Communication
- Health Advocacy Specialist
Graduate Certificate in Sports Communication
Purdue University’s innovative online Graduate in Sports Communication teaches professionals how to excel in the field of sports media and communication. In this 100% online program, students will develop communication skills tailored to sports media, learn how to improve audience engagement and prepare themselves for leadership positions in the sports communication industry.
- Communications specialists looking to expand their knowledge of crisis management and reputation building within the sports world.
- Broadcasting professionals aiming to transition or enhance their expertise in sports media.
- Marketing and branding professionals seeking to specialize in sports organizations, teams or athletes.
- Professionals with a bachelor’s degree who wish to further their education without the commitment of a full degree program.
- Nine credit hours required.
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (recommended) or equivalent on a 4.0 scale.
- Identification of key principles of sports communication and media management, including strategic communication and data-informed planning.
- Understanding of how communication practices can improve audience engagement.
- Development of comprehensive communication plans tailored to the unique needs of sports organizations and media outlets.
- Ability to construct media strategies that strengthen stakeholder relationships.
- Directors of Communications
- Social Media Manager
- Sports Public Relations Agent
- Communications Specialists/Managers
