Those who prefer to learn in a classroom environment can choose a course such as "Improving Communication Skills," offered by the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Business. This course lasts three days and focuses on workplace communication. Students learn to identify the different types of communication styles, ways of adapting communication styles to suit other people's styles, identify areas of conflict due to mismatching communication types and practice conflict resolution. Ways to improve positive emotion in the workplace form part of the skills taught. Students earn two Continuing Education Units from the program and the course can be studied as part of the Fundamentals of Management certificate.
People who wish to improve their communication skills without committing to a classroom course can choose an option like the Serebra Learning Corporation's "Communication Skills for Leadership" online course. Once the course fee is paid, the student is entitled to a year's access to online material for self-directed study. Characteristics of an effective leader, such as appropriate delegation, establishing leadership credentials, resolving disputes, motivating employees and building teamwork are the main points covered during the course. Students must have certain common hardware and software to access the online materials. Serebra also offers a range of other communication skills courses, from call center communication to cross-cultural communication.
Students who find it convenient to study in a weekly evening situation should consider the "Developing Creative Communication Skills" course taught through the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies at Rice. Participants meet once a week for eight weeks in the evening and earn Continuing Education Units upon completion. This program benefits those who wish to improve the ability to think on their feet; reducing any feeling of intimidation produced by audiences.
Learning through an audio course is an ideal method for students and professionals who prefer to listen in on their own time. The HR Training Center company offers an audio CD on the topic "Communication Skills for Women," for women who feel they need to improve their skills in the workplace to boost their career success. As an alternative to the CD, students can choose to watch the presentation live online, or watch the recorded presentation online after the initial broadcast.