KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 9, 2017

Board of Regents approves major in organizational and professional communication

Students pursuing a degree in communication at Kennesaw State University will now have the option of earning a Bachelor of Science with a major in Organizational and Professional Communication following a vote Tuesday by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. 

The new major expands the curriculum of a program previously offered as a concentration within Kennesaw State’s School of Communication & Media. Effective immediately, the major will give the more than 100 students enrolled in the concentration the opportunity to earn a degree in an increasingly sought-after field.

“The Organizational and Professional Communication major emphasizes skills in writing, public speaking, intercultural and team communication, conflict management, training design and delivery, and assessment of organizational communication – skills in high demand in corporate and nonprofit organizations,” said Barbara S. Gainey, director of Kennesaw State’s School of Communication & Media.

Gainey noted that the new major represents the School’s third undergraduate program to move from a concentration to a stand-alone major. Other Bachelor of Science degrees offered include majors in either Communication (Media and Entertainment Studies), Public Relations, and Journalism and Emerging Media.

“These developments have come in response to feedback we get from hiring organizations that want to identify the focus of study of each student graduating in communication and media,” Gainey explained. “Students graduating from the new program can expect competitive job opportunities based on their writing, analytic, research and speaking skills.”

In addition, Gainey cited the Occupational Outlook Handbook, which projects a 4 percent growth in employment in communication and media occupations through 2024. Entry level jobs linked to the new major include communication specialist/analyst, training coordinator, client services specialist and human relations generalist.

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 45,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.