Crisis Communication - CTCCOM

Delivery Mode: Fully online or hybrid with an in-person workshop

Terms of Entry: Fall, Spring, Summer

Enrollment Eligibility: Non-degree status or current degree-seeking student

Certificate Overview

Words and actions prior to a crisis, as well as within a crisis, can positively or negatively impact lives and organizations. While extended coverage and interest was once limited to natural disasters, all types of crises with organizational and life impacts now merit news coverage and public interest. Events that have, at their core, effective communication impact the short-term and long-term circumstances positively or negatively. There is a significant national gap in formal and relevant education to prepare communication professionals and leaders when a crisis impacts an organization. Students who complete the certificate will be prepared to guide and communicate before, within, and after a crisis using strategies and tools that include social media.

The certificate consists of three courses totaling 12 credit hours, and can normally be completed in two semesters or less. Typically, students begin this certificate by enrolling in a 1 credit hour seminar: COMM 5011 - Crisis Communication Seminar . This seminar is offered in a fully online, synchronous modality. Students can also choose to participate in the online offering asynchronously. At times, this seminar can also be available as a full day, in person offering. The remaining courses do not need to be taken in sequence. Courses will all be delivered online; sections may also be available (subject to demand) in person, or in hybrid modality.

Certificate Learning Outcomes

• Students will be able to define a crisis and identify the four fundamental categories of crises; identify and understand the two major types of crises; and develop the crisis communication plan as the key component within the overall crisis plan.
• Through exploring crisis events, case studies of organizations, and developing the fundamental structure of a crisis plan outline and crisis communication plan, students will develop abilities to plan for a crisis; recognize, communicate, and operate within a crisis to ensure resiliency; and to recover from a crisis
• Students will able to develop key message baselines before a crisis; communicate with speed, accuracy, and provide credibility skills in a crisis; monitor information and prevail with the truth in a crisis; and provide perspective on cause marketing and communication beyond the crisis.
• Students will be able to monitor, evaluate, and prepare for crisis to ensure resiliency and timely crisis management. The student will demonstrate understanding of online social interactions in crisis situations using analytics techniques.

Opportunities upon Completion

We live in a world punctuated by crises that are diffused via social media and a 24-hour news cycle. While both the private and public sectors spend more time trying to prevent crises than preparing for them, crisis readiness and communication planning have become major priorities for both these groups. While naturally caused crises are not new, nor are human-caused tragic events, the near frequency, impact and consequences of crises have virtually eliminated perception that a personally impacting event won’t occur. Key findings following every major crisis in the last twenty years include the need for effective communication before, during and after an event. In fact, from active shooter incidents and natural disasters to organizational trust damaging events such as cyber breaches or employee misconduct, effective communication is the key element to establishing, maintaining, and re-building trust. Lives, property, and organizational longevity are directly connected to effective crisis communication. The coronovirus pandemic spearheaded by United States Centers for Disease Control or recent private financial institution cyber breaches demonstrated to organizations even well prepared for crises that effective crisis communication is not an option or after thought. As a national leader in communication education, the Scripps College of Communication is uniquely positioned to provide formal and informal and practical education and skills for professionals in leadership and communication roles.

Related Certificates

This certificate can also apply to the elective options in the Master of Arts in Organizational Communication (MA5332 ) degree and the Master of Communication (MC5385 ) degree. The related certificates listed below can also apply to the elective options in the Master of Communication (MC5385 ) degree. 

• Communication and Change Certificate (CTCCTG )¹
• Communication Diversity, Ethics, and Inclusivity Certificate (CTDEIG )
• Digital Media Transformation & Innovation Certificate (CTCMTI )
• Interacting with Media for Non-Journalists Certificate (CTIMNJ )²
• Interacting with Media for STEM Professionals and Researchers Certificate (CTISPR )² 
• Media Tools for Professional Communication Certificate (CTMTCG )
• Strategic Communication Management Certificate (CTSCOG )¹
• Team Leadership and Communication Certificate (CTTLCG )¹

​¹These certificates can also apply to the Master of Arts in Organizational Communication (MA5332) degree.

²A student may only receive credit for one Interacting with Media certificate.

Admission Requirements

No additional requirements beyond Ohio University graduate admission requirements.

International Students

An I-20 cannot be issued based on admission to this program.

Completion Requirements