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Communication Processes Certificate

This 18 credit hour certificate is ideal for teachers who wish to teach dual-credit public speaking classes as well as working professionals who wish to bolster their understanding and application of communication theories and concepts.

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Communication Processes Certificate

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Degree Level
Certificate
Delivery
Fully Online
Time to Degree
3 Semesters
Credit Hours
18 Total, 18 in Major
Careers
Specialists, Training, Teachers
Communication Processes Certificate students at EIU

Why Study Communication Processes Certificate at EIU?

  • Build practical, career-ready communication skills
  • Earn credentials that demonstrate specialized communication expertise
  • Advance your knowledge and skills without committing to a full master's degree
  • Create a pathway to a master's degree by applying certificate hours to the MA in Applied Communication
See it for yourself Schedule a Visit
"From the moment I stepped onto campus, every professor, staff member, and student I encountered treated me with such genuine warmth and respect, as if I were already a valued member of their community. Despite not having officially joined the EIU family, I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging. The atmosphere was one of comfort and inclusivity, where everyone seemed genuinely invested in my success and well-being."
Abbey McCord
Communication Processes Certificate | Class of 2025
Abbey McCord, Communication Processes Certificate at EIU

Hands-On Experience

  • Apply communication theory to real-world challenges
  • Practice communication skills valued by employers
  • Explore communication contexts related to your specific interests
Hands-On Experience, Communication Processes Certificate students at EIU

What You'll Learn

The online Graduate Certificate in Communication Processes is designed for teachers and working professionals who do not wish to pursue a full master's degree in Communication Studies but want the communication skills to advance in their professions.

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$90,943
Median Salary for These CareersMedian salaryThe median is the middle value: half of the people counted earn more and half earn less. It is an estimate for a typical graduate, not a promise of what you will earn. Pay varies by employer, location, experience and the specific job.

Career OutcomesCareer outcomesThese are example careers that graduates of this program often pursue, taken from the U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET occupation list. They are examples, not job guarantees, and many graduates work in other fields.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

  • Public Relations Specialists
  • Training & Development Specialists
  • Secondary School Teachers
  • Human Resources Specialists
  • Educational, Guidance, & Career…

Career Insights

Job Outlook ★ Bright Outlook Bright OutlookBright Outlook careers are ones with a promising future. They're expected to grow quickly, to have lots of job openings, or to be brand new and emerging. A career earns the label if it meets any one of these: projected growth of 5% or more, at least 75,000 projected openings, or New & Emerging status.
Grow Rapidly: Jobs in this career are expected to grow 5% or more over the next several years, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics projections.
Openings: Employers are expected to need at least 75,000 people for this career over the next several years. That count includes new jobs created by growth and spots opened when workers move on.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor Grow Rapidly / Openings
Preparation Needed Considerable (4/5)Job Zone 4: Considerable preparationMost of these careers require a four-year bachelor's degree. They also tend to build on several years of work-related experience or training.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor
Personality Fit SocialSocial interest typeYou like helping people. This work centers on supporting others by helping, teaching, advising or serving them.Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Financing Your Degree Under the 2026 Rules

Federal graduate lending changed on July 1, 2026 - Grad PLUS loans ended for new borrowers and new federal borrowing caps now apply to graduate students. Here's why the math still works at EIU:

Estimated total for this degree: ~$8,262 (tuition and fees)

  • ✓ That's only about 8% of the new $100,000 lifetime graduate borrowing limit - leaving room for whatever comes next in your career.
  • ✓ A typical full-time year here runs about $8,262 - well under the new $20,500 annual federal loan limit. Annual limits are reduced in proportion for part-time enrollment.
  • ✓ Working? If your employer offers it, they can provide up to $5,250 per year tax-free toward your education.

Estimates use 2026-2027 Illinois-resident tuition and fees and typical full-time enrollment. Your actual costs and aid depend on your program, enrollment, FAFSA, and prior borrowing. Students who borrowed for the same program before July 1, 2026 may have different limits.

Talk to EIU Financial Aid → Read about the 2026 federal aid changes
8% of lifetime limit

$8,262 total, just 8% of your $100,000 federal graduate borrowing limit

Connect With Us

Samantha Szczur
Associate Professor & Graduate Coordinator
sszczur@eiu.edu
2417 Coleman Hall
217-581-6003
Samantha Szczur Message Samantha

Message Samantha

or email sszczur@eiu.edu directly
Matthew Gill
Department Chair
mjgill@eiu.edu
2526
217-581-6003
Matthew Gill Message Matthew

Message Matthew

or email mjgill@eiu.edu directly
Billy Panther
Head of Panther Pride
Old Main
217-581-2223
Billy the Panther Message Billy

Message Billy

or email billy@eiu.edu directly

Related Programs

Communication Studies Communication Studies Pedagogy: Interpersonal Communication Processes Communication Studies Pedagogy: Media & Critical Studies Communication Studies Pedagogy: Strategic Communication Communication Studies: Applied Communication Human Resource Management Management: Human Resource Management Reading Instruction Certificate > View All Programs

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EIU's programs, resources, and facilities are available to all students regardless of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity. Discrimination precluded by federal and state statutes is strictly prohibited.