Answer: Organizational communication is defined as the channels and forms of communication in which organizations such as corporations, non-profits, and governmental bodies engage, including both the internal communications that occur within an organization, and external-facing communications between an organization and its stakeholders. Optimizing organizational communication can have a powerful impact on the efficacy of an organization. Individuals with a bachelor’s and/or master’s in organizational communication can work in human resources, employee training and management, public relations and public affairs, marketing, communications consulting, media management, policy and advocacy, and research and instruction, among other areas. Show
Organizational communication is a broad field that encompasses all forms of communication that allow organizations such as companies, government agencies, and non-profits to function, grow, connect with stakeholders, and contribute to society. Organizational communication includes both internal communications, such as employee training modules, messaging around an organization’s mission, interpersonal communications between management and employees, and professional communication such as emails. It also includes external-facing communications such as public relations announcements, press releases, marketing materials, and branding. Organizational communication is complex in that there are many moving pieces within an organization, almost all of which require clear communication in order to maximize the efficacy of said organization. Indeed, organizational communication itself is comprised of many forms of information transfer and relationship mediation, from interpersonal communication, group communication, and cross-cultural communication, to mass communication and digital and social media. Due to the complexity and the importance of organizational communication, there is demand for individuals who are well trained in how to optimize internal communications as well as external-facing communications for corporations, non-profits, government agencies, and similar organizations. Positions in organizational communication range from those in public relations and project management to human resources, marketing, and corporate communication management. While organizational communication is primarily a professional practitioner’s field, there are also scholars who conduct research on the phenomenon of organizational communication, its components (i.e. interpersonal communication, group communication, media and its influence on human psychology and behavior, etc.), and its sociocultural, economic, and political effects. Scholars of organizational communication might study the impact of certain organizational and hierarchical structures on inter-team communications within an organization, or how internal communication dynamics within a corporation radiate outwards to affect external-facing communications with stakeholders, and subsequently the corporation’s brand identity. Other scholars might examine the intersection of organizational communication and cultural diversity or social justice. Bachelor’s in Organizational Communication ProgramsBachelor’s degree programs in organizational communication give students a broad, foundational overview of the communication principles and tactics that are central to an organization’s success, such as corporate communication best practices, media relations, interpersonal and group communication, and communication’s role in building and maintaining a strong and trustworthy brand identity. Undergraduate students who major in organizational communication can expect to take courses on the essential theories of communication, communication research methods, interpersonal communication and relationship management, multicultural and international communication, organizational leadership, group and team dynamics, marketing and public relations, public speaking, communication ethics, and risk and crisis communication. Depending on the program, students might also be required to take courses in business development principles to supplement their communication-specific coursework. Some bachelor’s in organizational communication programs require students to complete an internship in a relevant work setting, and/or a senior project wherein students work on an organizational communication project under the supervision of a faculty advisor. While an internship gives students real-world experience in the organizational communication space, the senior project enables students to research, design, and develop a professional artifact that reflects the knowledge and skills they have gained over the course of their undergraduate education. Master’s in Organizational Communication ProgramsMaster’s degree programs in organizational communication equip students with both foundational and advanced training in all key aspects of internal and external communication for an organization, as well as the research methods that should underpin communication strategy development. These programs typically give students concrete skills in areas such as interpersonal and organizational leadership, conflict mediation, public and media relations management, corporate reputation management, crisis communication, and marketing and advertising, with the goal of training professionals to manage and optimize the communications within an organization, as well as the communications between an organization and stakeholders. While the concepts, skills, and research methodologies covered in master’s in organizational communication programs may overlap with those covered in bachelor’s in organizational communication programs, master’s degrees in this field tend to include more advanced research methodologies, and typically focus more on communication management and organizational leadership. Students of master’s in organizational communication programs are generally required to complete a culminating experience, either in the form of a professional capstone project or a master’s thesis. A professional capstone project is a highly industry-focused deliverable that could take the form of an organizational communication plan, a media outreach campaign, a human resources or employee training module, or another similar project that involves optimizing communications within an organization or between an organization and its stakeholders. The master’s thesis generally has a more academic research bent, and involves students researching a particular issue, problem, or question in the organizational communication field, and conducting qualitative and/or quantitative research to arrive at an answer or potential solution to this question or problem. While master’s in organizational communication programs tend to focus on communication concepts and skills that are directly applicable to industry, some graduate programs in this field may allow students to pursue a more academic focus in preparation for further study of communication dynamics at the doctoral level. Such programs may have classes that invite students to analyze an organization’s internal and external-facing communications, to investigate interpersonal communication within small groups and large organizations, or to use media relations theory to examine the role of mass rhetoric in shaping the public’s perceptions of a company. Master’s in organizational communication programs that focus more on research are more likely to require a master’s thesis, rather than a professional project, for students’ culminating experience. For more information about the curriculum for master’s in organizational communication programs, as well as other degree requirements and a sample course schedule, please refer to our Master’s in Organizational, Corporate and Business Communication Programs page. Graduates of bachelor’s and master’s programs in corporate or organizational communication can work at companies in both the private and the public sectors, facilitating and improving channels of communication between managers and their employees, company leadership and the public, and leaders of different companies in the formation of partnerships. Organizational communication professionals may specialize in one area of corporate communication, or oversee communications across multiple departments within a company. Examples of roles that graduates of bachelor’s and/or master’s programs in corporate and organizational communication may pursue after they graduate include:
Note: Organizational communication is a broad field that covers a diversity of professional roles, teams, and departments. Due to the diversity of roles within the field of organizational communication, employer expectations for candidates likewise vary. While some employers may prefer and/or require a master’s degree in organizational communication for management positions, others may only require a bachelor’s degree in organizational communication or a related field, provided they have professional experience to demonstrate the necessary competencies for the job. Due to the variance in employers’ expectations for potential hires, candidates should research their desired places of employment, as well as the expectations for the specific positions to which they are applying. Finally, while a master’s degree might not be required for many organizational communication roles in industry, positions that involve intensive research and/or teaching in academia will generally require candidates to hold a master’s degree or higher. General Communication FAQs:What is interpersonal and organizational communication?This concentration examines communication among persons and groups, in formal and informal settings. It focuses on theories, concepts, and practices appropriate to institutional settings, including families. Students will explore various aspects of human behavior of people in groups and teams.
What is the difference between communication and interpersonal communication?Communication skills involve the variety of ways in which you can communicate with people. These are important skills to have in a small-business setting. Interpersonal communication skills represent the way in which you use your communication skills to communicate with people.
What is the meaning of organizational communication?Answer: Organizational communication is defined as the channels and forms of communication in which organizations such as corporations, non-profits, and governmental bodies engage, including both the internal communications that occur within an organization, and external-facing communications between an organization ...
What is the difference between organizational communication and corporate communication?Unlike organizational communication, which concerns internal communications within an organization, business and corporate communication is external-facing, and its goal is to establish and grow commerce – the production and distribution of goods and services.
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