Interpersonal skills are an essential aspect of building strong relationships, both in one’s personal and professional life. The ability to communicate effectively is at the core of creating and maintaining meaningful relationships, therefore gaining confidence in these skills is crucial to success in the workplace. While many assume these skills to be acquired naturally, they are actually characteristics that can be taught. UC Online is excited to promote “Interpersonal Communication Competence,” a fully remote course taught through UC Davis that introduces students to interpersonal communication skills needed for success in business and other professions. Through participation in this course, students will assess their current communication skills and be given the knowledge and resources needed for communication competency in the professional setting.

Interpersonal Communication Competence is an online course that invites students to critically analyze the potential impact of their own communication choices.

Through learning what it means to be “professional” in messaging, interactions, and self-presentation, students will be able to make practical choices about the most efficient and effective way to communicate and deliver messages.

This course aims to be collaborative and discussion-driven, therefore enabling students to acquire and demonstrate respect for everyone’s diverse cultural styles of communication needs within the business environment.

This course is open to all UC students and is offered in Fall 2024. All lectures and supplemental materials will be provided through Canvas, the learning management system that will be used to instruct this class. Piazza is the platform of use for all interactive student discussion, where instructors will frequently check and answer any questions or concerns. For success in this course, it is highly recommended that students put in the time and effort that reflect professional-level work. Students should treat this class as a new job, holding themselves accountable for their personal development and success. In addition to lecture videos and readings, this course contains several assignments, quizzes, and exams that are designed to ensure mastery and understanding of course content. All work will be turned in online through Canvas, and just as in the professional world, no late work is accepted. Final course grades will be determined by a Midterm Exam, a Final Exam, “Challenges”, Quizzes, and Post, Resume, and Cover Letter Assignments. Please refer to the syllabus for more information on course expectations, learning objectives, and grading.

All class assignments and learning materials are designed to expand upon course materials and provide students a comprehensive understanding of the importance of interpersonal skills in attaining workplace success. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be confident in their professional communication abilities and be prepared to navigate common workplace interpersonal challenges. These skills will make them well-positioned to compete in today’s professional marketplace and thrive in whatever career they choose!