Communication Certificate

Effective communication is crucial to any industry or workplace. No matter what your career goals are, knowing how to convey your ideas clearly can greatly impact your success.

Offered in conjunction with the University of Pittsburgh's Communication department, this 24-credit certificate from the College of General Studies will help you develop your communication skills, whether you’re looking to enhance your persuasive speaking and presentation ability, improve your writing, or gain an understanding of how mass media affects society.

Who Should Participate

• Business people and professionals whose success may be enhanced by improved communication skills and further understanding of the communication process
• Those who wish to increase their personal knowledge of communication for use in their careers
• Citizens involved in community and public positions in which persuasive delivery and analysis are vital
• Persons seeking a better understanding of the impact of interpersonal, organizational, public, and mass communication in the contemporary world
• Students already enrolled in the College of General Studies or other University programs who want to concentrate on communication skills

Program Expectations

Graduates of this program will be able to:

• Understand the makeup of a persuasive presentation
• Polish and refine their written and oral communication skills
• Apply knowledge of specialized communications topics

This certificate is applicable to fields such as education, writing, broadcasting, public relations, sales, communication training, personnel, promotions, advertising, market research, lobbying, politics, communications, and related fields.

Credit Requirements

• The communication certificate is composed of three basic communication courses (nine credits) and five communication elective courses (15 credits), for a total of 24 credits.
• Students must achieve a minimum grade of C (2.0) or better for all courses required for the program.
• Up to nine credits may be transferred from other accredited educational institutions through a transfer-of-credit evaluation process. A minimum of five courses (15 credits) must be completed at Pitt.

REQUIRED COURSES: (9 credits)

Choose three of the following courses.

ELECTIVES: (15 credits)

Choose five COMMRC courses. Here is a sampling of courses that can be used to fulfill the certificate requirements. You may elect to concentrate your studies in such areas as nonverbal, small group, interpersonal, organizational, or mass communication; persuasion in political settings; or the construction, analysis, and delivery of public speech.:

Resources & Flexible Options

Note: Requirements are subject to change. Check with an academic advisor before registering.