Workplace Communication, Undergraduate Certificate

WKU COMM: Connect, Collaborate, Captivate

Communication skills within the workplace are rated by organizations and leaders as important for employee success, regardless of industry. In fact, many employers go so far as to emphasize communication skills such as team communication, problem-solving, and conflict resolution as more important than the technical skills needed for different professions. The Certificate in Workplace Communication is a 15-credit-hour program designed to equip students with practical and meaningful communication skills for workforce success. The certificate allows students to explore their patterns of communication and those of others so that they can construct competent messages for different audiences within professional and organizational settings. Through hands-on learning experiences, students will engage and practice the skills needed to communicate with confidence even in difficult situations.

Specific Learning Objectives:

Construct messages appropriate to various audience concerns and demonstrate competence in delivering those messages.
Demonstrate the ability to adapt one’s communication to diverse audiences.
Demonstrate ability to develop strong working relationships in organizations, using problem-solving and team-building behaviors.

Curriculum

Program Requirements (15 hours)

The certificate is available to students from any major and has been designed with transfer students and dual-credit students in mind. Additionally, the certificate is available to non-traditional students wishing solely to earn this undergraduate certificate. All classes must be completed with a “C” or higher.

Required Courses (9 Hours):

COMM 145: Fundamentals of Public Speaking and Communication
COMM 349: Small Group Communication
COMM 345: Advanced Presentational Speaking (COMM 145)

Electives (6 Hours) Select two of the following:

- COMM 240: Effective Listening
- COMM 330: Leadership Communication
- COMM 351: Communication in the Digital Age
- COMM 370: Organizational Relationships
- COMM 371: Communication in Multinational Organizations

Workplace Communication Certificate prior to Fall 2024

Contact/Advising

Bruce Crawley, M.A.
Instructor II / Communication Programs Advising Coordinator

Clint Haynes, M.A.
Associate Professor / Communication / Advertising and Public Relations Programs Advising Coordinator