Program Overview

Wake Forest University

The School of Professional Studies offers a range of programs, including the Communication (CMS) program.

Communication (CMS) Program

The Communication (CMS) program provides students with the knowledge and skills to be effective leaders in their organizations. The program includes the following courses:

• CMS 710: Communications Today (3 hours) This course prepares students to be effective leaders in an increasingly complex organizational environment. Students learn to use emerging digital tools, apply real-world problem-solving skills, and improve their business writing and presentation skills.
• CMS 712: Communications Research (3 hours) This course provides students with the knowledge of research design and data interpretation, helping them become proficient consumers and ethical producers of research-based arguments.
• CMS 714: Digital Communications Engagement (3 hours) This course helps students build a foundation in current digital practices and emerging media technologies, including digital brand storytelling, content marketing strategy, social media marketing, influencer marketing, and search engine optimization (SEO).
• CMS 720: Crisis and Issues Communications (3 hours) This course provides students with the tools, approaches, and confidence to manage long-term challenges as part of crisis and issues management and public relations strategy.
• CMS 722: Strategic Communications (3 hours) This course emphasizes the practice of internal and external strategic communications through the analysis of case studies spanning corporate communications, public relations, marketing, and social media.
• CMS 724: Public Relations (3 hours) This course introduces practical approaches to communicating persuasively and building and maintaining multi-directional relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• CMS 730: Communications Leadership, Organizational Culture & Ethics (3 hours) This course helps students identify leadership strategies for ensuring organizational strategies are aligned with the organization's mission and values and serve the broader goals of business and society.
• CMS 732: Leading through Intercultural Communications (3 hours) This course teaches students to develop intercultural awareness and competence that reflect diversity of thought, culture, and experience.
• CMS 750: Champion Corporate Branding (3 hours) This course helps students recognize strong brands and identify strategies for strengthening brand purpose.
• CMS 799: Consultative Project (3 hours) This immersive course applies communications skills and knowledge through a hands-on consultative project, where students develop a communications plan to solve a current real-world challenge for an existing company or organization.

Other Programs

The School of Professional Studies also offers other programs, including:

• Curriculum & Instruction (CUI)
• Digital Marketing (DMG)
• Educational Leadership (EDL)
• Enterprise Risk Management (ERM)
• Ethical and Inclusive Leadership (EIL)
• Faith & Health Equity (FAH)
• Financial Tech & Analytics (FTA)
• Health Administration (HAD)
• Health Informatics (HIF)
• Leadership (LDR)
• Project Management (PMP)
• Public Administration (PAD)