business communication skills course

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Sharpen Your Communication Skills

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Communication is key to compelling leadership. Learn effective communication practices that increase your impact.

Sharpen Your Communication Skills will explore the behavioral science research behind effective communication practices to help you refine your communication skills — and be sure that your message is heard.

This self-paced, on-demand online course gives you same day access to proprietary Stanford GSB research-based content.

Key Benefits

This on-demand online course is designed to help you become a more savvy communicator, and to use your communication skills to elevate your impact.

• Examine key concepts of communication theory and practices including: communication biases, communicating through behavior, delivering praise, persuasive communication, and compelling presentations to further hone your communication style and expand your impact.
• Explore examples of leaders who successfully managed their communications to demonstrate how key communication frameworks can be applied to real-life situations.
• Reflect upon your own communication style and engage in experiential exercises designed to build keen communication skills that you can apply across all of your communications and interactions.

Who Should Attend?

• Highly-motivated individuals who see the value in improving their communication skills across all of their interactions to increase their personal and professional impact
• Professionals who want to use nuanced communication skills to extend their influence and embrace larger leadership roles
• Leaders who want to elevate their communication delivery and practices to craft compelling messages and presentations to their teams

At-a-Glance

Payment information.

Payment is due upon registration. Your 60-day access begins upon receipt of full payment.

Group Discounts Offered

Learn together and save up to 15%. Contact us for more details on discounts and benefits for groups of five or more.

Awarded Upon completion

Program overview, learn more about the program.

Explore our carefully designed curriculum, and go deeper with select course descriptions or a sample schedule.

Learn more about our past participants, and find out if the program is right for you.

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Associated program Topics

• General Management,
• Negotiation,
• Organizational Leadership,
• Personal Leadership,

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Business Communications Graduate Certificate

Learn to deliver clear, concise, and convincing messaging to advance ideas, build consensus, and resolve conflict.

Get Started

No Application Required

Online and On Campus Options

Number of Required Courses

What You'll Learn

• Compose effective business communications, including proposals, presentations, and reports.
• Apply key communication methods—such as informational briefing, persuasive messaging, or conflict management—to meet specific objectives.
• Master the techniques of public speaking, including message development, content, projection, inflection, and delivery.

Our Community at a Glance

It may seem daunting to tackle schoolwork while maintaining a job, but you won’t be alone. You’ll bring challenges you face at work or in your community into the classroom to consult with faculty and peers on new, innovative solutions. Test a fresh concept or framework in the workplace and see immediate results.

Average Age

Working Full Time

Students Outside the U.S.

Average Time to Complete

Certificate Courses

The professional graduate certificate in Business Communications requires three courses.

You may choose any three courses from the Business Communications certificate course group, using the certificate course search.

Search for Courses

You can find certificate courses in the DCE Course Search and Registration platform.

Upcoming Term: Summer 2024

Summer course registration is open through June 20. Learn more about how to register →

Fall 2024 courses and registration details will be live in June.

Earning Your Certificate

To meet the requirements for the certificate, you must:

• Complete three courses for graduate credit .
• Earn at least a  B grade  in each course.
• Complete the courses within three years .

Learn more about  pursuing a certificate  and the process of  requesting your certificate .

Anyone with the drive and right support network can write the next chapter of their story here at Harvard Extension.

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

This graduate certificate stacks to the following degrees:

• Journalism Master’s Degree Program
• Management Master’s Degree Program

Harvard Division of Continuing Education

The Division of Continuing Education (DCE) at Harvard University is dedicated to bringing rigorous academics and innovative teaching capabilities to those seeking to improve their lives through education. We make Harvard education accessible to lifelong learners from high school to retirement.