Master's in Communication & Leadership - FAQs

Jesuits have been educating people since 1540 with a focus on the whole person, not just your mind. Gonzaga was founded in 1887 and continues to pursue a mission of educating leaders with the capacity for reflective and critical thought. Gonzaga's graduate programs offer you the opportunity to pursue a degree that strives to educate you intellectually, spiritually, physically and emotionally.

Yes, Gonzaga is regionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Schools (NWCCS). Gonzaga is also member of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

The average student completes the program in 2 - 2.5 years. If you are able to add additional credits in any given period, you can accelerate your graduation.

You will take ten classes to complete the degree. Four core classes to set the foundation of your communication and leadership education along with five elective courses that can be customized to your interests and goals, plus one capstone course.

There are five optional concentrations you can choose to declare. They will be noted on your transcripts as an additional specialty. They are a way to structure your elective courses to dive further into a special area of study. You do not have to choose a concentration, but you have the option to choose from:

• Change Leadership
• College Teaching of Communication
• Digital Media Strategies
• Global Leadership
• Servant Leadership
• Strategic & Organizational Communication

No, students come from all industries looking to make an impact by learning effective and intentional communication practices paired with the most effective leadership skills.

Our Master's in Communication & Leadership program challenges you to harness communication on all levels and in all types of organizations, whether through a crisis communication plan, an internal strategic plan or a social media strategy. You will learn to analyze your audience, understand your influence and leverage various platforms to communicate your message to become a more effective, ethical leader.

Our Master's in Organizational Leadership program challenges you to formulate your own leadership practice, allowing you to lead change, resolve conflict and motivate groups within your organization.  We focus on diversity, global strategy and organizational behavior. You can take elective courses within either program to fulfill your elective credit requirements.

You may transfer credits with the approval of the Department Chair, the Dean of your program and the Registrar's Office. A maximum of 1/5 of program credits (usually 6 semester credits for graduate level students) may be transferred.

Coursework must be distinctively graduate level by the transfer institution and must have been taken within the last five years. A minimum grade of a B (P grades must be defined as B or better) must be earned. Courses previously applied to a completed degree are not transferable to the student's current program.

The COML degree can be completed fully online, but you do have the opportunity to take courses on campus with our short term domestic immersions.  Our immersions are a hybrid of online and on-campus coursework that involve coming to campus in Spokane for a few days. We also offer other immersions that include travel to Mt. Adams in Washington, St. Andrew's Abbey in California and short-term study abroad courses. 

Yes, your final degree will read "Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies" from Gonzaga University.

15-20 students are in a course, which is often split into smaller discussion groups. Class sizes are kept small to allow professors more one-on-one time with you.

Every class is designed by our Gonzaga faculty. Most classes are taught by faculty who have a PhD, or Master's degree or have achieved distinction as a practitioner of communication.

This will vary, depending on the courses you are taking, your learning style and your course load. However, most students dedicate approximately 10-15 hours per week towards coursework. This may fluctuate up and down. During a week with a major paper or project due, you might spend more time on coursework than other weeks. What remains true is that you will get out of this program what you put into it.

We believe the best learning is experiential and occurs in the context of community. The immersion is designed to be taken early in your graduate degree journey so that you can come to campus, meet fellow classmates, get to know faculty and ground yourself in the sense of what it means to be a Zag. 

However, we understand not everyone has the flexibility to come to campus for the immersion, therefore we are offering the required COML 599 immersion course online twice a year, once during the Fall and Spring semesters.

The Student Services team is available to answer your questions and connect you to the resources you need.  You will also be assigned a faculty advisor to help you meet your academic goals.

Online students have access to all of Gonzaga's resources including:

Foley Library

IT Help Desk

Career Center

Grad Student Association

Disability Access

University Ministry 

We are all here to help you succeed.

Tuition is based on the cost of a credit. Currently a credit costs a competitive $1,050*. The COML program is 30-credits, with a total tuition cost of $31,500**. Most students finish the program in two years, so the program ends up running approximately $15,750** per year.

*Tuition rates subject to change.
**Does not include additional fees or travel for immersions.

We have a number of resources to help you fund your education.

As a graduate student you qualify for Federal Student Aid. This funding is not need based, follow the link to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Gonzaga also offers payment plan options and other financial resources.

The Master's in Communication & Leadership Studies program offers new student scholarships every semester, funds permitting.  Gonzaga's Financial Aid Office maintains a database of scholarships for students to access, search and apply for awards.

We offer a 10% discount to active members of the military and their spouses, as well as to veterans.

10% Discount

Federal Employees

Boeing Employees

Bank of America Employees

50% Discount

Diocese of Spokane - qualified full-time teachers, principals and Pastoral/Diocesan Ministers working in schools or parishes under the auspices of the Diocese of Spokane.