Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management
Enhance your career with our online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management. In just nine credit hours, you can develop advanced skills in planning, executing and evaluating strategic communication plans. Learn from industry experts and gain insights into public relations, crisis communication, internal communication, communicating with global perspectives and more.
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management
Enhance your career with our online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management. In just nine credit hours, you can develop advanced skills in planning, executing and evaluating strategic communication plans. Learn from industry experts and gain insights into public relations, crisis communication, internal communication, communicating with global perspectives and more.
Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication Management Overview
Step into the dynamic and ever-evolving world of strategic communication and public relations with Purdue University’s online Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication. As businesses, nonprofits, and government organizations increasingly rely on clear, impactful messaging to navigate today’s global and digital landscape, the need for skilled communication professionals continues to grow.
This program prepares you to meet that demand, equipping you with essential skills to design, execute and evaluate strategic communication plans that drive results and foster trust. In just three courses, you’ll earn a valuable credential while learning from industry experts with real-world experience. You’ll explore topics such as strategic planning, crisis communication, global engagement and campaign evaluation — building a toolkit of highly transferable skills that are applicable across industries. These skills are in demand for roles in media relations, corporate communication, public affairs and beyond, making this program an excellent investment in your career. You’ll also gain insights into emerging technologies and their impact on the field, from social media analytics to AI-driven communication tools, ensuring you stay ahead of the curve in an industry defined by innovation.
This certificate also transfers seamlessly into Purdue’s online Master of Science in Communication and the master’s in Corporate Training and Communication degrees, offering further opportunities for growth and advancement.
Explore other Brian Lamb College of Communication graduate certificates, including communication and leadership, branding and marketing communication, digital media and communication technology, health communication and sports communication. These credentials give you even more options for stacking skills and building your resume.
Prepare to lead in a career that is as rewarding as it is impactful — become a strategic communication expert and make your mark in your field.
Acquire new skills quickly
The graduate certificate in strategic communication is made up of three completely online courses and can be completed in as little as six months; helping you build job-ready skills quickly so you can make a career transition or move up in your current role.
Learn job-ready skills
This graduate certificate will prepare you with the practical skills needed to excel in today’s dynamic communication roles. The curriculum emphasizes handling high-stakes situations, mastering crisis management, and protecting organizational reputation and stability. Develop expertise in leveraging social media to engage stakeholders, build brand identity and analyze performance metrics. Additionally, strengthen your leadership communication skills and learn how to drive productivity, build consensus and position organizations for success.
Work with industry experts
Our esteemed faculty and lecturers are committed to delivering a transformative educational experience combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Many of the course instructors are current practitioners in the communication field, giving them unique, real-time perspectives on the skills needed in various communication roles in this ever-evolving industry.
Save time and money with a Purdue graduate certificate. A graduate certificate is a specialized credential that provides advanced knowledge in a specific field. Available to those with a bachelor’s degree, Purdue’s 100% online graduate certificates take less time than a full master’s degree program. They are valuable for individuals looking to quickly advance their careers or pivot to a new industry. Graduate certificates also can serve as a stepping stone toward a master’s degree since they allow students to earn academic credits that may apply to a future graduate program. Ask your enrollment counselor for details or learn more about graduate certificates here.
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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.
Required Course
- COM 60111 – Seminar in Strategic Communication
Elective Courses (choose two):
- COM 60911 – Strategic Public Relations
- COM 60311 – Crisis Communication
- COM 62111 – Strategic Communication and Social Media
- COM 650000 – Communication and Leadership
Source: LightcastTM (2025). Unique job postings for July 2024-25. Projected growth for years 2019-2029.
Top Job Titles
Strategic communication management prepares professionals for roles focused on planning, executing, and overseeing effective communication initiatives. These include Communications Specialists, Directors of Development, and Copywriters, each contributing to messaging strategy, content creation, and audience engagement. Additionally, Communications Managers / Coordinators play a key role in managing campaigns, aligning communication efforts with organizational goals, and ensuring consistent messaging across platforms.
Top Industries
Several major industries offer strong career opportunities for professionals in strategic communication management. These include Colleges and Universities, Professional Schools, and Television Broadcasting Stations, all of which rely on strategic messaging to inform, educate, and engage diverse audiences. Additionally, General Medical and Surgical Hospitals, Corporations, and Government Agencies depend on communication leaders to manage public relations, support organizational goals, and ensure clear, effective information flow.
The Brian Lamb School’s New Director of Online Programs Brings Decades of Crisis Communication Experience to The Virtual Classroom
In the high-stakes world of crisis communication, trust is key. Few people understand this as well as Matt Charles, the new online graduate program director in Purdue’s Brian Lamb School of Communication. His career as a crisis communicator has spanned decades – and in that time, he’s collected a lot of stories and learned a thing or two about building trust.
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Get your questions answered, receive application help, or plan your degree journey by speaking with an enrollment counselor. Request more information today by filling out this form to connect with a Purdue University enrollment counselor and receive additional program materials.
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