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.

• Course and Program Catalogue

• 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.

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