Learn Communications – Professional Communication Course
This online professional communication course transforms students into authentic, persuasive communicators. Students learn essential communication skills through engaging workshops, mock interviews, and improv games. And they put those skills into practice in their own presentations–all while earning transferable college credits.
A New Way to Learn Professional Communication
In Professional Communication, students will:
- Analyze the importance of storytelling and communication at every stage of career development
- Define core values and personal messages to form the basis of an authentic approach to professional communication
- Gain proficiency in impromptu and extemporaneous communication to be better prepared in employment interviews
- Learn communication strategies to build confidence and flexibility, and practice them in live and written forms of communication
Professional Communication Course from Outlier by Savvas
Interactive, Mastery-Based Learning
Students enjoy cinematic lectures from top-rated instructors—all in a custom interface built by game designers and education experts to maximize student engagement and retention.
Ultimate Flexibility & Visibility
This turnkey asynchronous course adapts to your scheduling and staffing needs. Plus, educators get complete visibility into student progress with real-time monitoring, grade pacing, and forecasting.
Real College Course Worth Real College Credit From a Top 50 University
Students have reported successfully transferring their credits to academic institutions across the country—from community colleges to the Ivy League.
Discover the magic of learning with Professional Communication
Watch the Trailer
Develop students’ comms skills for the real world.
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Key Concepts
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Learning Outcomes
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Assessments
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Educator Support
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World-Class Instructors
Key Concepts Covered
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Communication and Storytelling
- Why communication matters
- How to tell a story
- Principles of communication
- Story structure and function
- Attention, memory, and recall in storytelling
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The Job Search
- Public speaking in the real world
- Kicking off the job search
- Interview preparation, format, and etiquette
- Cultivating professionalism in writing
- Resumes and cover letters
- Identifying and overcoming anxieties
- Confident cross-cultural communication
- Communicating confidence in body language
- Coping with the unexpected
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Presentations
- Choosing a topic
- Research and citation
- Organization and structure
- Presentation delivery
- Transitions
- Presentation aids
- Slide design and formats
- Informative vs. persuasive presentations
- Audience analysis
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Interpersonal Communication
- Understanding your personal communication style
- Identity and intersectionality
- Building cultural awareness
- Interpersonal communication
- Communication in the workplace
- Active listening and barriers to listening
- Recognizing and improving nonverbal communication
- Movement, gestures, and voice as a public speaker
- Nonverbal communication at work
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Group Communication
- Group roles and dynamics
- Teamwork, problem-solving, and decision-making
- Persuasion 101
- Types of persuasive speeches
- Structuring a persuasive presentation
- Making and supporting arguments
- Giving and receiving feedback
Learning Outcomes
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Course Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the importance of storytelling and communication at every stage of career development
- Define core values and personal messages to form the basis of an authentic approach to professional communication
- Gain proficiency in impromptu and extemporaneous communication to be better prepared in employment interviews
- Learn communication strategies to build confidence and flexibility, and practice them in live and written forms of communication
- Plan and deliver informative and persuasive presentations based on carefully conducted research and resource evaluation, organized and iterative outlines, and effective audience analysis
Assessments
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Quizzes, Oral Presentations & Writing Assignments:
Course quizzes consist of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and matching questions. All are autograded by the LMS, so educators can spend more time with students and less time grading.
Oral presentations, speech prep, and written assignments give students the opportunity to practice what they learn and receive substantive evaluation and feedback. From writing a resume and cover letter to delivering an elevator pitch, each assessment prepares students for the professional world.
Educator Support & Dashboard
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Access All Course MaterialEducators and administrators have full access to the Partner Dashboard and all course material from Day 1.
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View Course MilestonesEasy-to-use tools show milestone dates and deadlines for the cohort, as well as the full weekly course schedule.
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Monitor Student Progress in Real TimeCoach students throughout the course—from registration to the final exam—with complete reporting on their current course grades, assessment scores, and engagement with course material.
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Download Student Grades & ProgressEducators and administrators can download student grades and full progress report details in CSV format.
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Review Student Submissions for Graded AssessmentsEducators and administrators can view student-submitted answers to assignments, quizzes, and exams.
World-Class Instructors
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World-Class Instructors
We selected a dream team of 3 instructors who bring their personal stories and unique approaches to teaching professional communication.
- Gretchen Eng, Roosevelt University: As a trained comedian, she brings a playful teaching style and helps students develop confidence in uncertain situations.
- Joshua Hamzehee, Ph.D., Santa Rosa Junior College: He uses his experience coaching a nationally ranked speech and debate team to help students become more persuasive communicators.
- M. “Shae” Hsieh, Ed.D., Los Angeles City College: Dr. Hsieh leads by example to demonstrate the power of storytelling and authenticity in professional life.
Frequently Asked Questions About Professional Communication
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How are Outlier courses structured?Outlier courses are divided into a series of chapters and sections. Each section contains cinematic video lectures and active learning (our interactive digital textbook) that help students learn the course content. Students demonstrate their knowledge on graded assessments, including mastery-based quizzes they can retake up to 3 times.
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Are there any course prerequisites?No.
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Are there any student eligibility requirements?
Students must be at least 13 years old. Students who enroll in an Outlier course should be ready for the academic rigor of college-level coursework and carefully consider their existing responsibilities and dedication.
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What technology does my school need to take Outlier courses?
Each student must have access to technology that meets the technical requirements noted in this Help Center article.
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What is the minimum/maximum enrollment?
All Outlier courses have unlimited enrollment, with no minimum or maximum. So they easily adapt to your scheduling and staffing needs.
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What support is available for educators?
Your educators get complete visibility into student progress in the Partner Dashboard, including:
- Progress monitoring based on the course syllabus and schedule
- Grade pacing and forecasting based on students’ performance
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Is Principles of Economics completely online?Yes, Outlier courses are 100% online and asynchronous. Your students can learn during any class period—anywhere in the universe with Wi-Fi and a laptop or desktop computer.
Prepare your students for college and career success. All with one solution.
Whether you want to empower your students to explore potential careers, prepare for college, or become certified professionals, it’s easy to do it all with Savvas PathMaker. Simply mix and match dual enrollment courses and CTE courses from our comprehensive catalog to create personalized pathways for every student.
Mix and match to build your perfect career pathways:
| Example Pathway | What students learn | What students earn |
|---|---|---|
| IT Associate | Networking† Cybersecurity 1† Professional Communication * |
Cisco Certified Network Associate 3 college credits |
| Aerospace Technology | Aeronautics and Space Travel † Drones: Remote Pilot † Intro to Astronomy * |
FAA Part 107 Commercial Drone Pilot 3 college credits |
| Digital Marketing | Meta® Social Media * Adobe InDesign® † Professional Communication * |
Meta® Certified Digital Marketing Associate Adobe® Certified Professional in Print & Digital Media Publication using Adobe InDesign® 3 college credits |
* Outlier by Savvas Dual Enrollment