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. Using the workplace as a context, students will construct effective messages that gain commitment from others and foster collaboration.
  2. 2. Respond appropriately and genuinely to messages within the workplace.
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester

Certificate Requirements 

12 units

COMM C1000
Introduction to Public Speaking

3 units
Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
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. Emphasis is placed on the organization and criticism of public discourse. (A, CSU, UC)
Course Details:
  1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
  1. C: Oral Communication
  1. A1 - Oral Communication
  2. CSU Transfer Course

    COMM 2
    Interpersonal Communication

    3 units
    Effective Term: 2025 Spring Semester
    In this course students will study a variety of interpersonal communication theories, research, concepts, and principles. Students will learn and apply the importance of interpersonal communication, verbal and nonverbal communication, diversity and culture, relationships, and conflict. This will be achieved through research and analysis of interpersonal interactions and self reflection. (A, CSU-GE, UC)
    Course Details:
    1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
      1. A1 - Oral Communication
      2. CSU Transfer Course

        COMM 4
        Persuasion

        3 units
        Effective Term: 2025 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
        1. C: Oral Communication
        1. A1 - Oral Communication
        2. CSU Transfer Course

          COMM 8
          Group Communication

          3 units
          Effective Term: 2025 Fall Semester
          This course is an introduction to group communication as a vehicle for solving problems, reaching decisions, making recommendations on policy and communicating group decisions to a larger audience. Students will study and practice the theories, behaviors and processes of group communication. (A, CSU, UC)
          Course Details:
          1. Advisory: ENGL C1000
          1. C: Oral Communication
          1. A1 - Oral Communication
          2. CSU Transfer Course
            Total: 12 units