About
In the Certificate in Professional Communication – Leadership and Negotiation (CPC-LN), you will study leadership through the lens of communication. You will learn how persuasive communication skills can make leaders more effective as listeners, team builders and mediators. You will also become a more effective and more intuitive negotiator, learning the importance of language in persuasive communication.
- Part-time or full-time four-month certificate program
- Previous post-secondary study required
- In-person classes at USask's main campus in Saskatoon
- Can be completed concurrently alongside degree programs
What you will learn
In the Certificate in Professional Communication – Leadership and Negotiation (CPC-LN) you will learn both theory and practical strategies that will help you become an effective leader and negotiator, making you a well-rounded and versatile colleague.
In learning leadership as communication, you will be challenged to develop your abilities to guide, motivate and support others toward common goals. You will also learn more about the fundamental elements of negotiation as they relate to written and spoken communication. The program consists of three courses (9 credit units) delivered by the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development in the College of Engineering.
Many of the courses in the certificate program can also be used to satisfy degree requirements. Please speak with an academic advisor to see what options may be available to you if you are completing this program concurrently with another degree program.
Here are just a few of the classes you might take while you complete this certificate:
RCM 404: Leadership as Communication
Examines leadership as communication, and in particular as a form of rhetorical activity. Drawing on both traditional and contemporary scholarship, it will combine theoretical understanding with practical strategies for improving skill across several dimensions of the leadership dynamic: interpersonal, rhetorical, social, ethical, and political. Through reading, discussion, and a variety of practical case studies and exercises, students will be challenged to develop their ability to guide, motivate, and support others toward common goals. Topics include leadership as rhetoric; the ethics of leadership; face-saving, conflict resolution, and listening; community and team-building; group loyalty and identity formation; and persuasion.
RCM 409: Negotiation as Rhetorical Practice
Using rhetorical theories and methodologies, as well as organizational models, this course introduces students to effective negotiation as rhetorical practice. Designed to foster a rhetorical understanding of the most fundamental elements of the negotiation process, the course teaches theories of identification and common ground as well as persuasion, power, and ethics. It focuses on the tools necessary to examine communication processes and motivations that underpin the principles of negotiation, and it teaches how to do a rhetorical analysis of the negotiation context and audience as well as how to do strategic planning. The course also recognizes the interrelationship between language theories and the ability to frame negotiation communication.
RCM 402: Interpersonal Communication and Rhetoric
A survey of foundational concepts in interpersonal communication. Topics include the nature of communication, self-concept, face and politeness, ethics, listening, context and situation, human motivation, identity formation, and persuasion. The course will incorporate rhetorical as well as social-scientific theories, and its goal will be to encourage students to think about the dynamic and shifting nature of human interaction, and to develop strategies for managing their own interactions particularly in their professional relationships.
RCM 495: Rhetorical Peer Mentorship
In this course, students will further develop their understanding of rhetorical and learning theory, and will work collaboratively, under the supervision of the instructors, to apply the rhetorical skills they have learned in this class, and other rhetorical communication classes, in order to complete a capstone-mentorship project.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
- It takes only three classes to earn this certificate and you can highlight it as an official credential on your resume.
- At the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development, we offer three specialized certificates in professional communication that can help you best match your goals: persuasive communication, technical and professional writing, and leadership and negotiation.
- Our faculty equip students with skills that answer industry’s demand for employees who are effective at communicating with their colleagues, managers and others, including clients, government and the general public.
- We provide small class sizes, personal attention and feedback from faculty and opportunities to hone your skills in class.
- Our faculty are recognized experts in professional communication who have offered certificates in this area since 2007.
Careers
The Certificate in Professional Communication – Leadership and Negotiation provides critical skills for professionals who are leaders and those who aspire to become team leaders. Negotiation skills that you gain while earning this certificate will help you gain a better understanding of the persuasion, power and ethics that are part of negotiation.
Tuition estimates
Note: if you are taking this certificate concurrently with a degree program, there will be no additional student fees. Tuition will still be assessed for each course. With proper program planning, you will use the communication classes towards your degree and you will already be paying student fees as part of your studies.
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $947 per 3 credit unit class | $4,584 per 3 credit unit class |
| Student fees | $1,121 per year | $1,121 per year |
Tuition will vary depending on the type and number of classes you take in a year. This estimate reflects a typical amount you could expect to pay per class (2024-2025 Canadian dollar rates).
Student fees are used to fund specific student benefits, including health, vision and dental coverage, a bus pass, recreational programs and fitness centre access. This estimate reflects the price you would pay if you are a full-time student.
The cost of books and supplies varies widely depending on the courses you choose. It is recommended that you budget between $150-$250 for each class.
Program options
The Certificate in Professional Communication – Leadership and Negotiation is offered by the Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development in the College of Engineering. You may earn the certificate on its own, concurrently with a degree program from this college or others, or after completing a degree.
If you are already enrolled at USask, consult an academic advisor regarding enrolling in this program.
The Course and Program Catalogue has the complete and official listing of required classes and their descriptions for this program.
Admission requirements and deadlines
Admission requirements
All applicants to the Certificate in Professional Communication - Leadership and Negotiation must meet the following requirements in order to be considered for admission:
- Completed at least 60 credit units of post-secondary studies
- 60% average in the most recent 18 credit units of completed coursework
- Completion of RCM 200: Effective Professional Communication (formerly RCM 300), or an approved equivalent
- Proficiency in English
Applicants must have completed RCM 200.3 or an approved equivalent in order to be eligible for admission into the certificate program. Approved equivalencies include a minimum of six credit units in:
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level ANTH
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level ARTH
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level CMRS
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level DRAM
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level ENG
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level HIST
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level INDG
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level IS
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level LING
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level PHIL
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level POLS
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level PSY
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level RLST
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level SOC
- 100, 200, 300, or 400-level WGST
- Select CLAS Courses: CLAS 110.3, CLAS 111.3, CLAS 203.3, CLAS 220.3, CLAS 225.3, CLAS 228.3, CLAS 240.3, CLAS 242.3, CLAS 252.3, CLAS 259.3, CLAS 298.3, CLAS 299.3, CLAS 398.3, CLAS 399.3, CLAS 499.6
Deadlines
| Start term | Application deadline |
|---|---|
| 2024 Fall Term (September) | June 15, 2024 |
| 2025 Winter Term (January) | November 1, 2024 |
Ready to apply?
Both external applicants and current USask students must complete the online application form by the application deadline.
If you are a current USask student, consult your academic advisor regarding enrolling in this program. Current USask students do not need to pay an application fee.
If you are new to USask, create an admissions account and start your application today. When you are ready to submit your application, you will be assessed a non-refundable application fee of $120 CAD.
Questions?
Ron and Jane Graham School of Professional Development
College of Engineering
graham.school@usask.ca