Strategic and Organizational Communication The University of Akron

Overview

The Strategic and Organizational Communication programme at The University of Akron is designed to equip students with the essential skills required to navigate complex professional environments. By blending theoretical constructs with practical application, the curriculum ensures that graduates can craft meaningful messages across interpersonal and corporate contexts.

Students are encouraged to become ethical communicators and critical thinkers who can evaluate public messaging and construct sound arguments. The course structure emphasizes the importance of understanding rhetoric while providing the tools necessary to lead productive discussions in the workplace and the broader community.

The faculty consists of seasoned professionals and esteemed researchers whose work is frequently published in respected scholarly journals.

Why Strategic and Organizational Communication at The University of Akron?

The University of Akron offers extensive experiential opportunities that allow students to practice their skills through various on-campus clubs and organisations. These activities provide a platform for hands-on experience that complements the rigorous academic training provided within the School of Communication.

A robust internship programme is a cornerstone of the student experience, offering the chance to earn academic credit while working in diverse professional settings. Students can choose to intern in almost any department or organisation where creativity and communication are highly valued, helping them to build professional networks.

The institution focuses on developing "citizen-critics" who are capable of identifying less trustworthy forms of communication and critique faulty reasoning. This distinctive teaching approach ensures that graduates are not only skilled employees but also informed participants in public advocacy and legal contexts.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

• International fee: USD 21650 per year
• National fee: USD 21650 per year
• Local fee: USD 13740 per year

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

• Rhetoric
• Organizational Communication
• Small Group Communication
• Interpersonal Communication
• Persuasion
• Intercultural Communication
• Communication and Conflict
• Rhetorical Criticism
• Training Methods in Communication
• Analyzing Organizational Communication
• Communication Theory
• Advanced Presentational Speaking
• Political Communication
• Freedom of Speech
• Social Media and Relationships

Careers with Strategic and Organizational Communication

Graduates from this programme are well-prepared for a variety of sectors, including healthcare, education, and marketing. Recent alumni have secured roles in training and development, human resources, sales, and speech writing, reflecting the high demand for effective communication competencies in the modern job market.

The skills acquired during the course allow individuals to create persuasive messages tailored to target audiences and use active listening to understand diverse perspectives. These qualifications are consistently ranked by employers as some of the most desirable attributes for new hires in rapidly changing business environments.

Many graduates have found employment with prominent organisations such as First Energy, Akron Children’s Hospital, and Summa Health. Other notable employers include Goodyear, The Cleveland Guardians, and the Akron Zoo, demonstrating the broad geographical and industrial reach of the degree's professional outcomes.