Communication Skills For Professionals - Major #5433

Certificate Program Map
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The program map below represents an efficient and effective course taking sequence for this program. Individual circumstances might require some changes to this path. It is always recommended that you meet with your pathway counselor to develop a personalized educational plan.


The Communication Skills for Professionals Certificate program is designed to enable students to achieve recognition of development in such areas as public speaking, group problem solving and communication, leadership, persuasion and healthy interpersonal relationships in the workplace. In these courses, students will learn how to sharpen communication skills as well as deal with difficult situations with a flexible, genuine and self-confident approach. Students will also learn how to create persuasive messages based on a sound theoretical foundation and apply influence strategies to gain commitment from others and foster collaboration. The certificate can be completed either in traditional face-to-face classes or online hybrid courses.


Upon completion of the program, students will:
  1. 1. Construct effective messages, within a workplace context, that gain commitment from others and foster collaboration.
  2. 2. Respond appropriately and genuinely to messages within the workplace.
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester

Certificate Requirements 

12 units

COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
Part 1: In this course, students learn and apply foundational rhetorical theories and techniques of public speaking in a multicultural democratic society. Students discover, develop, and critically analyze ideas in public discourse through research, reasoning, organization, composition, delivery to a live audience and evaluation of various types of speeches, including informative and persuasive speeches.
Part 2: Emphasis is placed on the organization and criticism of public discourse. (A, CSU, UC, Cal-GETC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

COMM C1004
Interpersonal Communication

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
Part 1: This course covers theory, research, and application of ethical one-to-one communication practices in various and diverse interpersonal relationships including in personal, professional, and social situations.
Part 2: (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

COMM 4
Persuasion

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
This course explores the theories and practices of influence, advocacy, and reasoning from the perspective of both persuader and audience. Rhetorical and social theories of persuasion are studied, and historical and contemporary persuasive messages are analyzed. Students also practice by preparing effective and ethical persuasive speeches and other appeals. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000

COMM 8
Group Communication

3 units
Effective Term: 2026 Fall Semester
This course focuses on oral communication in small group settings, rhetorical principles, public speaking and public presentations, emphasizing small group communication theories. It provides students with the foundational knowledge and practice of speech making in a democratic society. This course covers topics like problem-solving, conflict management, decision-making, and leadership, while also developing students’ presentation, participation, and leadership skills. Students develop and deliver effective informative and persuasive oral presentations, and they engage in group activities in class and through team projects. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
Total: 12 units