Executive Certificate in Communication
Prepare for a Ph.D. Program While Boosting Your Current Credentials
If you’ve already completed a master’s degree, but you are wondering what the next step in your education should be, an Executive Certificate is something you may want to consider. These 21-credit-hour postgraduate programs allow you to complete doctoral-level studies before committing to a full doctorate. The Executive Certificate in Communication in particular can help you decide if a Ph.D. in Communication is the right path for you.
Studying communication at the postgraduate level can prepare you for executive-level positions in fields like advertising, public relations, customer relations, online sales, consumer research, and social media. If you are looking to work in higher-education, this program is a great option. Your credits from this certificate can seamlessly transfer into the Ph.D. in Communication so you can complete your terminal degree and teach as a university professor.
Military Tuition Discount
If you have served in the military, we want to go above and beyond to show you our gratitude. That’s why we designed our 21-credit-hour certificates to work especially well for you. Earning an Executive Certificate makes you eligible for our military alumni doctoral discount — you’ll receive the discounted $300/credit hour military rate both during the certificate and later during a doctoral degree.* Many of our certificates roll directly into a corresponding doctoral degree, allowing you to get a jumpstart on your doctorate!
If your plans to earn a doctoral degree lie further in the future, each certificate also stands on its own as a professional development credential, setting you apart from your peers and giving you the flexibility to start a doctoral degree whenever you’re ready. It’s one more way we show our appreciation.
*In order to retain the $300/credit hour rate, the doctoral degree must be started within 2 years of completing the Executive Certificate.
What Will You Study in Liberty University’s Executive Certificate in Communication?
After completing this certificate, you will be able to:
- Analyze theoretical and applied concepts based upon research and knowledge of the digital and strategic communication fields.
- Create effective digital and strategic communication solutions and applications using qualitative and quantitative tools.
- Integrate digital and strategic communication with a Christian worldview.
Liberty’s 21-credit-hour communication certificate will prepare you for career advancement, positions of leadership, and future doctoral studies in a Ph.D. program. Our certificate does this by providing you with courses focused on problem-solving, solution-oriented thinking, and the theoretical framework for digital and strategic communication as a whole.
Potential Careers for Executive Communication Certificate Graduates
- Advertising/public relations executive
- Chief customer experience officer
- Communications executive
- Director of online sales and services
- Research manager
- Social media executive
- University administrator
- University professor
- Vice president of customer satisfaction
Some of these occupations may require that you have a PhD. That’s why Liberty created Executive Certificates that can seamlessly transfer into one of our corresponding PhD programs. So if you are looking to further your studies after completing your certificate in communication, you will be able to transfer all 21 credits into our PhD in Communication!
Benefits of Pursuing Your Executive Certificate in Communication with Liberty University
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online Executive Certificate from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- Online undergraduate tuition rates have been frozen for the last 10 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
- You can complete this certificate program in as little as 1.5 years.
- Our Executive Certificates allow you to transfer all 21 credit hours into one of our corresponding Ph.D. programs. With the majority of our doctoral programs being 60-credit-hours long, you will need as few as 39 credits to complete your doctoral studies!
Military Benefits
Service is important to us, so whether you’re currently serving in the Armed Forces, have served, or are married to someone who serves, we’re here to serve you. Liberty’s military benefits are available to:
- Active duty service members of the U.S. Armed Forces
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/retirees
- Spouses of service members and veterans/retirees
- Current Department of Defense employees
We are proud to support you in your pursuit of a flexible and affordable online education by offering you the following benefits:
- Tuition discounts – $300 per credit hour for postgraduate courses
- 8-week courses, 8 different start dates each year, and no set login times (may exclude certain courses such as practicums, internships, or field experiences)
Please note: The $300/credit hour doctoral military rate cannot be combined with the First Responder Discount.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2024-2025. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours

Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the certificate total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC










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