Master the art of effective communication and prepare to thrive under the responsibilities of leadership.
Locations
- Statesboro Campus (In Person)
- Armstrong Campus (In Person)
- Online
Why Get a Professional Leadership and Communication Certificate?
- Complete your certificate requirements in 15 credit hours.
- Choose between a flexible, fully online education ideal for working professionals or an in-person experience on either the Statesboro or Armstrong Campuses.
- Hone your leadership and communication skills to propel your career forward in a variety of fields.
- Thrive in a program built on both academic research and real-world application.
- Build connections in the Georgia Southern community that stretch long past graduation.
The Professional Communication and Leadership Certificate program focuses on the importance of written and verbal communication, critical thinking and leadership skills with particular application in the workplace. This community-driven program is developed to help students gain not only the knowledge but also the practical skills required to be successful in their careers.
Through the program, students will become familiar with communication strategies, technical editing, organizational communication in diverse contexts, leadership skills and more. Graduates of the Professional Communication and Leadership program find themselves prepared for employment in a variety of workplace settings thanks to the interdisciplinary nature of the curriculum.
Ready to Apply?
What Can You Do With a Professional Leadership and Communication Certificate?
Our graduates have used their degree to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in communication, marketing, public relations, criminal justice, athletic coaching, education, the health professions and military service. The PCL program also prepares students to pursue advanced graduate degrees in law, leadership and communication-related disciplines.
Where our graduates work:
What our graduates do:
What You’ll Learn
Students in the Professional Communication and Leadership Certificate program will learn the essential skills of written and verbal communication, critical thinking and leadership in a professional context. At the core of the certificate program are four courses that focus on writing, professional communication, and leadership:
- Communication and Leadership in the Public Arena
- Leadership in the Public Area: From Ideas to Action
- Organizational Communication in Diverse Contexts
- Professional Communication Strategies
Find an Advisor
The College of Arts and Humanities Advisement Center exists to serve students in their academic journey and provide them with resources for graduation.
Graduate Assistantships
Assistantships are awarded each year on a competitive basis following a highly qualified student’s nomination by their graduate program and using predetermined criteria. Assistantships include teaching, research, and graduate assistantships.
Apply for Financial Aid
Graduate students are eligible for financial aid. Graduate students who take 9 credit hours per semester are considered full-time for purposes of financial aid; 5 credit hours is considered part-time.
Take Action
Application Deadlines:
Applications must be submitted online by the following deadlines. These deadlines apply to both the Armstrong & Statesboro campuses:
- Fall: July 1 for regular applicants; July 15 for the Army Education Center
- Spring: November 15
- Summer: April 1
Admission Requirements:
- Applicants must submit: official transcripts that demonstrate completion of requirements for the baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution; a 2.75 overall grade point average or a 2.50 overall grade point average with a minimum 2.75 major grade point average on all undergraduate work.
- Applicants must submit a resume or C.V.
- Applicants must submit a letter of intent—a writing sample of 200-500 words that describes how a Graduate Certificate in Professional Communication and Leadership would help you meet your personal and professional goals. This essay may include a discussion of any weaknesses in your academic record.
- Applicants must submit two professional letters of recommendation.
- Note: all degree requirements must be completed with seven years.
Follow these steps to complete the Georgia Southern application:
- Create an application account.
- Complete our online application using the PIN you received after creating your application account.
- Pay the $50 application fee or upload a valid fee waiver once complete. (Previous Georgia Southern applicants and dual-enrollment students do not need to pay the fee.)
Check your application status at My.GeorgiaSouthern.edu/admissions three days after completing your application. This page contains live information about your admission status, including a checklist of missing documents we need to make a decision.
Transfer to Georgia SouthernGeorgia Southern University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associates, baccalaureate, masters, educational specialists and doctorate degrees.
The Graduate Student Organization (GSO) is committed to representing and supporting the interests of all current and prospective graduate students at Georgia Southern University and seeks to support scholarly activities as well as to promote social opportunities for the development of graduate students.
The College of Arts and Humanities hosts several student organizations dedicated to furthering the arts and providing opportunities to students and alumni.
This course rotation is dependent on the availability of faculty. The following courses will offered each semester:
- COMM 7100: PCL Research
- COMM 7150: Communication $ Leadership
- COMM 7200: Organizational Communication in Diverse Context
- ENGL 7400: Professional Communication Strategies
- LEAD 770: Internship
- LEAD 7900: Comprehensive Project
- ENGL 7453: Plain Language in Workplace Writing (not required from Fall 2024)
Elective courses are offered based on course demand and faculty availability.
We offer a tip sheet with suggestions for deciding which classes might be best for you to take.
Will I need to take courses on both campuses?
No, students can complete their entire course of study on either the Armstrong or Statesboro campus. While students have the option to take a course on another campus, it is not necessary. All required courses will be offered on both campuses during the academic year.
Can I pursue the MA if I begin the program as a certificate student?
Yes, many students do this and all certificate courses can be applied to the master’s degree.
I’m a senior and am planning to pursue the PCL degree after I graduate from Georgia Southern. What is Senior Privilege?
Senior Privilege is a great option for students transitioning to graduate school. To be eligible for Senior Privilege, students must be in their last semester of coursework and have no more than 12 hours left in their undergraduate degree.
Seniors are allowed to take up to 9 hours of graduate level courses (5000G, 6000, and 7000 level), with the total enrollment in graduate and undergraduate credits not exceeding 15 hours. Keep in mind, while the 5000G courses (and 6000/7000 courses) will count towards your graduate program of study once you have gained admission, they will not count towards your undergraduate degree requirements.
Seniors do not need to apply for admission into the graduate program, but would need to submit the Transient Student Request Form to your Program Director and Department Chair for approval. Once they have approved the form it would go to the Georgia Southern College of Graduate Studies for final approval.
How do I find out what classes to take?
Your academic advisor is Dr. Beom Bae. You can search for classes using the Georgia Southern University’s Course Search.
How can I fund my education?
There are several resources for funding your education. Graduate assistantships cover standard in-state and out-of-state tuition costs. You may also apply for internal and external scholarships. Additionally, you may borrow federal, state, and private loans to fund your education. If you are a GSU employee, you may be eligible for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), an employee supplemental educational assistance program.
How do I find out about graduate health insurance?
You can voluntarily enroll in the University System of Georgia’s (USG) Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP). Graduate assistants and other specific groups that are required to have health insurance are automatically enrolled in SHIP. However, they may apply for a waiver if they already have a personal health insurance plan.
What health and well-being resources and facilities are available to me?
You have access to online and in- person mental health and well-being resources as a PCL graduate student. For more information on the resources available to you, please visit the College of Graduate Studies website.
Where do I get my Eagle ID card?
You can visit the EagleCard Services website for information on where and how to get your Eagle ID card. The site also provides information on what to do if your Eagle ID card is lost or stolen.
Where do I go to receive academic support services on campus?As a PCL student, you have access to the Academic Success Center and the University Writing Center.
Candidates who wish to take courses at the Army Education Center at Fort Stewart should submit an application for the Fall 2025 semester and email Graduate Admissions at gradadmissions@georgiasouthern.edu.
Student Feature
Communication Arts Congratulates Alumna Liana Moran, Forty Under 40 Honoree
As a vice president at The Wilbert Grou, Liana Moran leads PR efforts for major real estate and professional service clients.She has secured coverage in top-tier publications such as Bloomberg, The Wall Street Journal and The New Your Times. She header PR efforts around North American Properties’ (NAP) opening in Avalon, sale of Atlantic Station to Hines and acquisition of Colony Square, which resulted in coverage in national trade and local media.
As an Atlanta native, Liana is excited about the growth of her city. She believes in developing communities that enhance the quality of life for all. Liana is actively involved on the advisory board for the Atlanta Community Food Bank and the PR advisory board at Georgia Southern University where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, won Student of the Year and served as PRSSA President.
See More Alumni Stories
Take the Next Step
Earn a graduate certificate as you master the art of speaking and writing in order to lead through strong communication.
Contact Us
Department of Communication Arts
Sanford Hall
P.O. Box 8091
Statesboro, GA 30460
Phone: 912-478-5138
Fax: 912-478-0822
Email: commarts@georgiasouthern.edu
Dr. BJ Bae
Program Director
Sanford Hall 3020
Phone: 912-478-5777
Email: pcl@georgiasouthern.edu
Black Box Theatre Box Office
Phone: 912-478-5379