Business Writing and Communication
The Business Writing and Communication certificate program is designed for professionals who are responsible for developing business communication, whether that communication is within an organization or with customers. The program combines current theories of organizational communication and persuasion with the practices of business writing. Students will learn principles of effective communication while developing their own writing skills as they create persuasive and informational business documents.
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Post-baccalaureate students at Northwestern's School of Professional Studies pay per course. For more information about financial obligations and tuition, please visit the Tuition page.
In addition to completing an online application, you'll also need to submit a few supplemental materials. A list of requirements for admission including application deadlines and tips on how to apply can be found at the Admission page.
Whether you're a first-time registrant or current and returning student, all students register using our online student registration and records systems. Important information about registering for courses at SPS, including registration timelines and adding or dropping courses in which you are already enrolled, can be found on the Registration Information page.
| Program Courses: | Course Detail |
|---|---|
| Intro to Public Relations <> ADVT 370-CN | Public relations is a core management function for every type of organization, whether public or private. Public relations spans a wide range of marketing disciplines including media relations, corporate reputation, community affairs, issues/crisis management, investor relations, and government affairs. PR is one of the primary tools used to reinforce a company's brand and support its competitive position. Students learn the essential components of an effective PR strategy; how to evaluate and manage outside PR counsel; essentials of media relations and crisis management; and how to draft PR messages. Students select a "beat" or coverage area to investigate as part of the class homework projects. This course involves heavy writing; it may not be audited.This course is cross-listed as MKTG 390-CN. View ADVT 370-CN Sections |
| Theories of Persuasion <> COMM_ST 205-CN | This course provides an overview of the role communication plays in the social influence process. The primary goal of this course is to help students understand the techniques and factors that lead to changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behavior. To reach this goal, in the course, we will (1) define key terms used by social influence researchers and practitioners, (2) explain major classic and contemporary social influence theories and models, (3) identify common heuristics, or simple decision rules, that guide the decision making process, (4) review how various source, receiver, situation, and message characteristics impact the social influence process, (5) demonstrate how to use and defend against the various social influence techniques discussed in class, and (6) discuss the ethical implications involved in the social influence process. There is no available section. |
| Theories of Persuasion <> COMM_ST 205-DL | Acts of persuasion influence us in all aspects of our lives.
This course will examine the different ways in which we utilize
persuasion in the communication we have with our families and
friends, our workplace, and the general public. How effective are
we? How are we affected? This will culminate in assessments of how
persuasion impacts us, as individuals and as a society. View COMM_ST 205-DL Sections |
| Professional-Client Communication <> COMM_ST 362-CN | This course is designed to explore the various processes of
professional-client communications, including organizational
theory, social, and managerial activities. Special emphasis is
given to areas of interpersonal and intergroup conflict as well as
ethics and its links to decision-making in business contexts. In
addition, specific business frameworks are used to show practical
applications of professional-client theory, including sales,
consulting, and legal perspectives, among others. The primary
purpose of the course is for each participant to gain insight into
his or her own communication style and to become a more effective
communicator, especially in the professional world where most
people spend a major portion of their lives. The course involves
extensive use of self-evaluation methodologies and participative
activities, enhanced by cases, rigorous self-review and
introspection. View COMM_ST 362-CN Sections |
| Bargaining & Negotiation <> COMM_ST 363-CN | This course is designed to explore the processes of bargaining
and negotiation as theoretical, social, and managerial activities.
It provides an overview of the basic theoretical approaches,
concepts, processes, and research in bargaining and negotiation.
Special emphasis is given in the areas of interpersonal and
intergroup conflict as well as language bias and its links to
negotiating. In addition, interpersonal influence techniques and
the tactics and strategies involved with improved bargaining and
negotiation are covered. The major purpose of the course is for
each participant to gain insight into his or her own negotiating
style and to become a more effective negotiator, as well as a more
astute observer of social processes. The course involves extensive
use of cases, role-plays, and related participative activities,
enhanced by rigorous self-review and introspection. View COMM_ST 363-CN Sections |
| Intermediate Composition: Business Communication <> ENGLISH 205-CN | This course is designed for students who have experience with
college-level writing but who want to sharpen their writing and
communication skills. Students learn to apply measures of
excellence in business writing and communication. Assignments
relate to business environments, including audience analysis,
persuasive writing, verbal and interpersonal communication, and
document design and graphics. Writers gain experience writing in
collaborative environments, producing multiple drafts and receive
feedback from their peers and the instructor. This course combines
in-class lecture and discussion on campus with online sessions.
Attendance is strongly encouraged for all sessions. Homework will
be due in class and online. View ENGLISH 205-CN Sections |
| Intermediate Composition: Business Communication <> ENGLISH 205-CN | This course is designed for students who have experience with college-level writing but who want to sharpen their writing and communication skills. Students learn to apply measures of excellence in business writing and communication. Assignments relate to business environments, including audience analysis, persuasive writing, verbal and interpersonal communication, and document design and graphics. Writers gain experience writing in collaborative environments. Students produce multiple drafts and receive feedback from their peers and the instructor. Carries business credit. View ENGLISH 205-CN Sections |
| Writing for Media JRN_WRIT 201-A | This course focuses on fundamental journalistic writing techniques -- skills that work well in any academic or vocational setting and result in clear, crisp, concise writing. The format is straightforward: lectures and exercises followed by rewrites and editing. And then more rewriting. Through interactive instruction, students develop capability to compose quickly and meet real-world deadlines. Some instruction may be remote -- computer interaction and telephone discussion with the professor. A schedule will be provided early in the quarter. View JRN_WRIT 201-A Sections |
