7110 Master's Programs

7110.10 Business Communication Skills Requirement for Master's Students

All master's students (except those students in the Master of Science in Real Estate, Master of Taxation, Master of Professional Accountancy or MBA programs) must complete a one-day, non-credit workshop in business communication skills before registering for their fifth 8000-level course taught by the Robinson College of Business. (M.Tx. students satisfy this requirement by taking BCom 8250; MPA and MBA and students satisfy this requirement by taking MBA 8015; MSRE students satisfy this requirement by taking BCom 8250 or MBA 8015) The workshop is not graded and covers both written and spoken communication. Specifically, students will learn to:

• Analyze audiences and formulate a conscious communication strategy.
• Write business documents that are clear, concise and objective-oriented.
• Improve information accessibility through document design.
• Develop and deliver effective oral presentations, including appropriate, high-level visuals in support of key ideas.
• Improve personal delivery in presentations, interviews, telephone conversations, and meetings.

Students may petition for exemption from the business communication skills workshop by phoning Business Communication Programs in the Marketing Department at 404/413-7650 or faxing to 404/413-7699 if any of the following apply:

• Earned a grade of "B-" or higher in BCom 3950, Engl 8250, BCom 8250 or BCOM 8260 at Georgia State University.
• Earned a grade of "B-" or higher in a business communication course at another accredited college or university. The course must have included significant practice in instruction in both written and spoken communication.
• Earned a grade of "B-" or higher in both a public speaking course and a business writing course at another accredited college or university.
• Completed communication courses sponsored by their employer.

Students must provide documentation on the content of courses they have completed. Students will not be eligible to enroll in further 8000-level RCB coursework until they satisfy the requirement.

Additional Instruction in Business Communication

Most experts agree that excellence in communication is becoming a key differentiator in both individual and organizational success. Companies and managers are discovering that a sound communication strategy, combined with competent delivery of messages, can provide the competitive edge essential for thriving in today's marketplace.

The Robinson College offers graduate-level business communication courses to provide opportunities for master's students to improve their communication skills:

• BCom 7255 Communication Skills for Business
• BCom 8250 Effective Executive Communication
• BCom 8260 Corporate Communication
• MBA 8015 Strategic Business Communication

These courses address both issues of individual and organizational communication and provide students with the tools to excel in both areas. The content of each course is given in the Course Description chapter later in this catalog.

Completion of BCom 8250 with a grade of "C-" or higher in the first term of enrollment can replace the business communication skills workshop described above. The use of these courses for degree credit varies from program to program. Consult the program descriptions that follow and a counselor in the Office of Graduate Admissions and Student Services for additional information.