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Programs: Organizational Communication

 
Organizational communication involves the study of the ways people interact
within organizations, such as business, government, education and non-profit
groups. The specific focus of this program of study is internal and external
communication of organizations. This program of study prepares students for
careers in business and for the study of law.
In addition to the 15 hours of required communication studies courses, students
studying organizational communication must complete the following 18 hours from
among the depth requirements . Additionally, students are strongly encouraged to enroll
in an internship during their junior or senior year.

Courses

SCOM 350. Organizational Communication

SCOM 358 Business and Professional Communication

SCOM 331 Conflict and Communication

SCOM 449. Communication Training

SCOM 450. Advanced Organizational Communication

Communication research course (depth requirement)

 

 

Organizational Communication Student Advising Fact Sheet

For additional information please contact
Dr Toni S. Whitfield or Dr Tim C.Ball

 

 

Below you will find information regarding

 

   
Required Courses :

SCOM 350 Organizational Communication--Students will learn about types of management styles and the theories that go with those styles. Students will
learn to apply theories and concepts to service learning situations in the
community. This is a service-learning course. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring

SCOM 358 Business and Professional Communication--Students build skills in job interviewing, applying for jobs/graduate school, writing resumes and cover letters; creating a work skills portfolio, business etiquette and professional
presentation skills. The focus of this course is "getting the job and
keeping the job." Offered Fall, Spring and Summer.

SCOM 331 Conflict and Communication --An examination of communication in conflict situations. Emphasis on communication competencies required for
successful management and resolution of conflict. Consideration of theories of
conflict and application to different conflict levels including interpersonal
communication, small group communication and organizational communication.
Prerequisite: SCOM 231 recommended. 3 credits. Offered fall and spring.

SCOM 450 Advanced Organizational Communication-- Integrated study of organizational communication theory and research. Analysis of communication systems within organizations and at their boundaries. Special attention to
field studies. Prerequisite: SCOM 350 or permission of the instructor.
3 credits. Offered spring.

SCOM 449 Communication Training--An examination of methods for planning, arranging and conducting communication training. Students become familiar with
strategies and activities designed to help others improve their communication
skills. Prerequisites: Junior standing and 12 hours in communication studies
or permission of the instructor. 3 credits. Offered fall only.

2nd Research course:
Course choice here really depends on the path the student intends to take. If
the student is interested in consulting and training, SCOM 386 would be an
excellent choice because they might be asked to collect data and analyze it in
a survey format. All are completely acceptable and helpful to the student.

Recommended Courses:
 
SCOM 495 Internship. Students of Organizational Communication are STRONGLY
encouraged to participate in an internship either in the Fall, Spring or
Summer semesters. Internships can be done in the Harrisonburg area or an area
of your choice. Students MUST have completed the core of SCOM courses to be
placed in an internship. Please be sure to see Dr. Whitfield for information
regarding the internship. (Can take up to 6 credits) (160 hours of work = 3 credits)
 
   



Possible Careers in Organizational Communication-

Below are examples of organizational communication careers and a few job descriptions. These are just examples and by no means constitute an exhausted list.

Organizational Communication can be grouped into internal and external forms of communication.  
 
Internal Communication -- Job Description
Provide consultation, assistance, and guidance to management on the matters relating to employee communication; coordinates employee communication programs and activities; Coordinates publishing of regular employee media.  Coordinates and conducts attitudinal and other polls among employees; provides editorial and publishing services; produces, edits, and distributes special publications.  
Develops and maintains informational unit to serve the needs of the senior management and the communication department.  
Develops, coordinates, and implements small group, face-to-face communication programs to facilitate team building, problem identification, and problem solving.  

Job Titles
Director, Manager or Coordinator of:
--Internal Communication     --Employee Communication   --Employee Communication and Training --Employee Information --Upward Communication  --Management-Employee Communication     --Communication Services  --Marketing Communication --Labor Relations Specialist     --Communication Analyst  --Staff Consultant

External Communication -- Job Description
Responsible for a full range of external public relations activities, from corporate advertising through community, shareholder, financial, and government relations; produces corporate literature, sales promotions, and special publications.  
Directs and coordinates all activity in the development, implementation, and administration of a corporate identification system covering all aspects of visual communication, material, and media. Have administrative responsibilities for public relations and development departments.  
Is responsible for internal communication, communication with employees' families, and community relations.  
Plans and directs public information and community relations programs.  
Assists executive officers in the public aspects of his/her post.  

Job Titles
Vice-President, Director, or Manager of:
--External Communications     --Information Department      --Public Information      --Public Affairs
--Public Communications      --Corporate Relations      --Special Projects
Also:
--Community Relations Officer     --Director, Government Affairs      --Government Relations Counselor     --Manager, Press Relations
--Press Relations Consultant      --Press Information Officer     --Media Relations Manager     --Public Relations Supervisor
--Public Affairs Representative     --Public Information Director      --Public Information Manager     --Public Information Specialist
--Manager, Investor Relations     --Field Publicity Consultant


Other Fields of Organizational Communication


Events Coordinator- internal or external.   Help support strategic planning initiatives for all external events on the conferences and seminars, client appreciation events Event budget and event calendar management for assigned projects. Oversees event production and logistics from development of content, promotions, presentations, graphics/multimedia and other event-related marketing materials, to technical projects, such as audio/video production, lighting, and staging. Analyze programs for effectiveness; conduct post-event reporting and analysis.

Events and Fundraising- interacts with vendors, partners, company executives and a wide range of functional activities. 

Plans, organizes and oversees all fundraising events and activities; including appeals, membership campaign, events, grant proposals, donor identification and solicitation, and donor relations.

Assists in the development of the annual fundraising goals and objectives. Develops and carries out solicitation plans. Identifies funding trends; develops and cultivates new funding sources.

Ensures that the organization operates in compliance with all foundation and government and grant requirements.

Recruits and trains volunteers to participate in the organization's fundraising programs and activities. Maintains development database and monitors the flow of income, including membership renewals and the acknowledgment and receipt of gifts.

Monitors and prepares reports of fundraising progress. Provides financial progress reports. Writes grant proposals to solicit funding from private, government, and public foundations.


Publications -- Job Description

Supervises writers responsible for writing and publishing in-house publications.
Is responsible for acquisition, development, and production of books in the communication fields; also responsible for presenting books to sales staff and working with the advertising staff on promotional materials.
Writes and edits news releases, publications, special projects, recruiting brochures; maintain archives, mailing lists, and biographical files.
Prepares brochures for physicians and materials for the Food and Drug Administration.
Produce monthly employee newsletter gathers news, coordinates news staff, takes pictures, edits, prepares layout, writes, proofreads.

Job Titles


Manager or Supervisor of Employee Publications; Corporate Information; or Supervisor, Staff Publications and Services Specialist, Corporate Information -- Publications Advisor   -- General News Manager -- News Manager -- News Supervisor  -- Supervisory Editor -- Publications Editor;     --Associate Publisher -- Employee Publications Editor -- Editorial Director -- Editor -- Senior Editor  --Associate Editor -- Production Editor -- Assistant Editor -- Copy Editor -- Editorial Assistant     --Medical Editor --Industrial Editor -- Writer-Editor -- Writer -- Product Promotion Writer  

Sales Promotion Writer --Specifications Writer --Technical Writer --Audiovisual Writer --Advertising Copywriter -- Reporter --Sports Information Director -- Book Designer

Training -- Job Description
Includes programs in training, conference planning, information services, and associated evaluation activities for research and training organizations.
Plans, organizes, and coordinates training and development activities; conducts management development programs; determines training and developmental needs; consults with management.

Job Titles
--Group Supervisor --Training and Development Leader  --Training and Communication Administrator
--Training and Development Specialist --Training Materials

Media -- Job Description
Responsible for the development for coordinated programs in the photo-audio-visual arts areas.

Job Titles

Supervisor, Coordinator, Director, or Project Manager:
--Photo-Audio-Visual Services --Graphic and Audiovisual
Also:
--Art Director --Assistant Art Director --Photo Services Manager --Photographer
--Motion Picture Manager --Film Producer --Coordinator, Corporate Internal Television    
 --Television Specialist -- Radio and Television Publicity -- Director, Cable Television Project

Research -- Job Description
Is responsible for the development of research program to support policy and programs activities of the branch; organizes conferences, symposia, and meetings.
Directs research projects.
Assists in the technical administration of the department and undertakes special assignments in relation to planning and coordinating education, extension, and research services, communications, staff development and training.

Job Titles
--Assistant Director of Research --Research Coordinator --Research Scientist --Research Specialist
--Social Scientist --Research and Editorial Associate --Corporate Communications Research Analyst
 --Senior Scientific Services Officer