Laura Bright teaching

Strategic Communication Graduate Certificate

Strategic communication skills are a critical component for professionals in any field. Whether you are navigating the corporate landscape, working in media, or leading teams, this certificate program provides a comprehensive understanding of strategic communication strategies, as well as how to navigate interpersonal communications, advance advocacy and gain influence. Acquire the skills and insights you need to strategically position organizations, manage reputations and drive results in an increasingly complex communication landscape.

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5 Courses Earn Certificate

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Face-to-Face Instruction

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Cohort Based Program

Build Essential Communication Skills to Advance Your Goals

  • The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication is a stackable graduate certificate providing transcripted academic credit and designed to help students build in-demand skills and succeed in an increasingly complex communication world.
  • Open to students who have completed a bachelor’s degree in any field, this stackable graduate certificate, completed in just one year, offers students a curriculum designed to prepare them for an ever-changing communication landscape. Taught by renowned faculty from top-ranked Moody College of Communication, students will be enriched, challenged, and inspired.

Key Skills and Competencies You Will Learn

  • Principles for communication across careers
  • Advocacy
  • Communicating with diverse audiences
  • Media management
  • Professional use of social media
  • Team building

How It Works

The program consists of courses taken in two long semesters - one fall and one spring. No summer classes are offered. Students will take 3 classes one semester and 2 classes the other semester with the options of starting either in the fall or the spring and of choosing whether to take 3 classes in their first or second semester.

  • Take five total courses in strategic communication in a one-year period. Course topics are:
    • Persuasion, Advocacy, and Social Influence
    • The Art and Science of Social Media
    • Communicating for Careers
    • Team Building
    • Resisting Stereotyping and Prejudice
  • Engage with peers in your cohort for team collaboration and networking
  • Interact Face-to-face with award-winning faculty

You can read the full student handbook for 2024-2025 here. 

You can read answers to frequently asked questions at this link. 

How to Apply

Prospective students must apply through the Graduate School Application for Admission. After completing the data entry sections and paying the application fee, applicants must upload supporting documents on their MyStatus page.

All applicants must meet the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School admission requirements. Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, or be on track to graduate before enrolling in the certificate.

  • Bachelor’s degree in any field
  • GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale, though conditional admission may be possible for GPAs under 3.0 in extenuating circumstances
  • For international applicants only, TOEFL score of at least 79 or IELTS score of at least 6.5
  • Please note, the Communication Studies Stackable Graduate Certificate programs do not meet the U.S. government requirements for students to be eligible for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. However, international applicants on an eligible non-student VISA are welcome to apply.

 

Applications are accepted through the Graduate School Application for Admission. To apply for the Strategic Communication Graduate Certificate, select the choice "Communication Studies: Strategic Communication- Nondegree Stackable Certificate Program." After completing the data entry sections and paying the application fee, applicants must upload supporting documents on their MyStatus page. 

Additional documents required:

  • Official transcripts, dated one year or less, from all undergraduate and graduate institutions attended
  • Resume
  • A statement of purpose (maximum of 1000 words) responding to the following prompt: Describe your reasons for pursuing graduate study and your academic and professional interests and goals.
  • Letter of Recommendation: 1 required / 1 maximum
  • Official TOEFL or IELTS scores taken within the past two years (for International Applicants only)
  • No GRE or GMAT is required

All required documents must be submitted electronically to MyStatus. This page will become available to you approximately three to four business days after you complete your online application.

  • The Admissions Committee for the Strategic Communication stackable graduate certificate will review complete applications after the deadline. All additional documents must have been uploaded in order for the committee to consider the application. Partial applications will not be reviewed.
  • Admitted applicants will be notified by email from the Department of Communication Studies. They will also receive official e-letters from the Graduate Admissions Center with instructions on how to check your application status for your admission decision.
  • Both the Department of Communication Studies and the Office of Graduate Studies must accept applicants before they can enroll.
  • Please note, the Communication Studies Stackable Graduate Certificate programs do not meet the U.S. government requirements for students to be eligible for an F-1 or J-1 student visa. However, international applicants on an eligible non-student VISA are welcome to apply.

Program Costs and Financial Aid

Students in the program pay a flat program fee for the entire certificate of $22,500.

For students starting the program in August 2025 or January 2026:

Three courses   $13,500
Two courses      $  9,000

Total:                 $ 22,500

A non-refundable $1,000 deposit is required when applicants accept an offer of admission. This amount is credited toward your first semester’s program costs. Each semester's tuition is billed approximately 4-6 weeks before the semester starts and due during the first week of classes. Students will receive an exact due date when they are billed. After that date, a $100 late fee will be charged each week for non-payment

 

Non-degree-seeking students in an Option III program are not eligible for federal financial aid. They may be eligible for some private sector loans. Questions about financial aid should be directed to Texas One Stop. 

The Strategic Communication Graduate Certificate is eligible for use with GI Bill® education benefits. To learn more about how veteran benefits may support enrollment in our program you can access The University of Texas at Austin Catalog here or contact the Veteran Certification team. Please note, the Strategic Communication Graduate Certificate is considered a non-formula-funded program and is, therefore, not eligible for Texas Hazlewood Act Exemptions. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the cost per credit hour is $1493.93.

Application Deadlines

3/1/25

Application Due (for Fall 2025 Admission)

9/1/25

Application Due (for Spring 2026 Admission)

Contact Us

Option III Program Coordinator Christie Hodge
MoodyCollegeOption3@austin.utexas.edu