<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="1" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> STEM-designated. Tar Heel ROI. No compromises. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA is designed for experienced professionals looking to take their career to the next level. Students have access to lifelong career benefits and a global network of 51,000+ business school alumni. Earn your MBA online in as few as 18 months or up to three years. MBA Fellowships Available.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-1" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-1" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemba.unc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UNC2UadCURRENT.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class="" alt=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemba.unc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="71" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> The Online MBA From Rice Business </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> Rethink Your Approach to Business </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>GMAT waivers are available for the online MBA from Rice Business, ranked a Top-20 Online MBA by U.S. News & World Report. Ranked #1 in graduate entrepreneurship in the U.S. by the Princeton Review for 2024, aspiring entrepreneurs can earn their MBA in as few as 24 months.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-71" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-71" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinebusiness.rice.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Rice2UadCURRENT.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class="" alt=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinebusiness.rice.edu/requestinfo/index/">Learn More</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

<div class="edu-card" data-widget-id="2" data-cy="edu-card"> <div class="edu-card-banner" data-cy="edu-card-banner"> Advertisement </div> <div class="edu-card-container" data-cy="edu-card-container"> <div class="edu-card-content" data-cy="edu-card-content"> <div class="edu-card-title" data-cy="edu-card-title"> <h1 class="edu-card-title-heading" data-cy="edu-card-title-heading"> UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA </h1> <p class="edu-card-title-subheading" data-cy="edu-card-title-subheading"> STEM-designated. Tar Heel ROI. No compromises. </p> </div> <div class="edu-card-content-description" data-cy="edu-card-content-description"> <div class="edu-card-content-description-content"> <p>UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA is designed for experienced professionals looking to take their career to the next level. Students have access to lifelong career benefits and a global network of 51,000+ business school alumni. Earn your MBA online in as few as 18 months or up to three years. MBA Fellowships Available.</p> </div> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore"> <input type="checkbox" id="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-2" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input" /> <label for="edu-card-content-description-readmore-input-2" class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label"> <span class="edu-card-content-description-readmore-label-arrow"></span> </label> </span> </div> <a class="edu-card-content-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemba.unc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-content-caption"> </span> </div> <div class="edu-card-action" data-cy="edu-card-action"> <picture class="edu-card-picture" data-cy="edu-card-picture"> <img src="https://fortune.com/img-assets/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/UNC2UadCURRENT.png?w=250&amp;h=165" class="" alt=""> <span class="edu-card-picture-label"> </span> </picture> <div class="edu-card-action-cta" data-cy="edu-card-action-cta"> <a class="edu-card-action-button" target="_blank" href="https://onlinemba.unc.edu/requestinfo/index/">Visit Website</a> <span class="edu-card-action-caption"> </span> </div> </div> </div></div><script> function checkWidgets() { document.querySelectorAll('.edu-card-content-description-content').forEach((content) => { const readMoreBtn = content.nextElementSibling; if (!readMoreBtn) { return; } if (content && content.clientHeight === content.scrollHeight) { readMoreBtn.style.display = 'none'; } else { delete readMoreBtn.style.removeProperty('display'); } }) } window.removeEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); window.addEventListener('resize', checkWidgets); checkWidgets();</script>

cat_Other

Low Intent

ptype_Explainer

Preston Fore

<p>If you ask almost any professional about the most important hard skills, communication is almost always top of the list. </p><div class="paywall-selector"></div><div class="paywall">



<p>The ability to discuss strategy, goals, and solutions with others is paramount to any business; communication can truly be the make or break for companies small and large. <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="http://onal-employee-development/cost-poor-communication" target="_blank">Millions of dollars can be lost</a> each year because of inadequate communication.</p>



<p>For these reasons, communication skills remain highly desired. Digital communication skills are the second most in-demand technical skill and communication more broadly—including written, oral, and presentation—remains among the top soft skills sought after by companies, according to <a href="https://fortune.com/2023/01/24/top-skills-employers-are-looking-for/">Wiley’s Closing the Skills Gap 2023 report</a>.</p>



<p>And with the workplace looking a lot different than it did just five years ago—with more remote work and AI integration, for example—the best ways to communicate are also changing.</p>



<p>“Skills today can generally get outmoded in about three to five years and so that means that we need to upskill really often,” says Angie Kamath, dean of the <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NYU School of Professional Studies</a>.</p>



<p><em>Fortune</em> has laid out some of the offerings on the market for you to upskill in the world of business communication. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-table optimized-table-widget"><table><thead><tr><th>Courses</th><th>Cost</th><th>Length</th><th>Learn more</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Duke Continuing Studies Program: Business Communication Certificate</td><td>$145 per course; $250 for package</td><td>10–20 hours to complete entire package</td><td><a href="https://learnmore.duke.edu/certificates/business_communication">See details</a></td></tr><tr><td>eCornell: Business Communication Certificate Program</td><td>$3,900</td><td>3 months</td><td><a href="https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/financial-management/business-communication/">See details</a></td></tr><tr><td>Harvard Extension School: <a href="https://extension.harvard.edu/academics/programs/business-communication-certificate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Communications Graduate Certificate</a></td><td>$9,660 ($3,220/course)</td><td>Within three years</td><td><a href="https://extension.harvard.edu/academics/programs/business-communication-certificate/">See details</a></td></tr><tr><td>Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: Executive Certificate in Business Communication</td><td>$11,400 ($3,800/course)</td><td>Self-determined</td><td><a href="https://carey.jhu.edu/programs/executive-education/programs-individuals/executive-certificates/business-communication">See details</a></td></tr><tr><td>NYU School of Professional Studies: Certificate in Professional Writing and Communications</td><td>~$5,400 ($799–$999/course)</td><td>Within three years</td><td><a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/certificates/media-writing-and-communications/professional-writing-and-communications.html">See details</a></td></tr><tr><td>UCLA Extension: Business Communications Certificate</td><td>~$6,700</td><td>Self-determined</td><td><a href="https://www.uclaextension.edu/business-management/leadership-management/certificate/business-communications">See details</a></td></tr><tr><td>University of Colorado—Boulder: Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization</td><td>$49/month</td><td>2 months (10 hours/week)</td><td><a href="https://www.coursera.org/specializations/effective-business-communication">See details</a></td></tr></tbody></table><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Business communication courses</figcaption></figure>



<hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity">



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Duke Continuing Studies Program: <a href="https://learnmore.duke.edu/certificates/business_communication" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Communication Certificate</a></h2>



<p><strong>Requirements: </strong>2 courses to gain certification</p>



<p><strong>Cost:</strong> $145 per course; $250 for package</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>10–20 hours to complete entire package</p>



<p><strong>Course examples</strong>: Effective Business Writing; Effective Presentations; Communicating Collaboratively</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">eCornell: <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://ecornell.cornell.edu/certificates/financial-management/business-communication/" target="_blank">Business Communication Certificate Program</a></h2>



<p><strong>Cost:</strong> $3,900</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>3 months</p>



<p><strong>Course examples</strong>: Cross-Cultural Communication; Persuasive Writing; Impactful Unscripted Communication</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Harvard Extension School: <a href="https://extension.harvard.edu/academics/programs/business-communication-certificate/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Communications Graduate Certificate</a></h2>



<p><strong>Requirements: </strong>Take 3 business communication courses to gain certification</p>



<p><strong>Cost:</strong> $9,660 ($3,220/course)</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online or in-person</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>Within three years</p>



<p><strong>Course examples</strong>: Information Technology Finance and Communications; Grant Proposal Writing; Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Johns Hopkins Carey Business School: <a href="https://carey.jhu.edu/programs/executive-education/programs-individuals/executive-certificates/business-communication" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Executive Certificate in Business Communication</a></h2>



<p><strong>Requirements: </strong>Take 3 18-hour courses to gain certification</p>



<p><strong>Cost:</strong> $11,400 ($3,800/course)</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online or in-person</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>Self-determined</p>



<p><strong>Course examples:</strong> Interpersonal Communication &amp; Conflict Management; Written and Visual Communication; Public Speaking for Professionals</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NYU School of Professional Studies: <a href="https://www.sps.nyu.edu/professional-pathways/certificates/media-writing-and-communications/professional-writing-and-communications.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Certificate in Professional Writing and Communications</a></h2>



<p><strong>Requirements: </strong>3 core courses + 3 electives to gain certification</p>



<p><strong>Cost:</strong> ~$5,400 ($799–$999/course)</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online; instructor-led or self-paced options</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>Within three years</p>



<p><strong>Course examples:</strong> Digital Communication in a Changing Workplace; Persuading in Business: Leadership, Public Speaking, and Executive Communication; Strategic Communications and Corporate Storytelling</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">UCLA Extension: <a href="https://www.uclaextension.edu/business-management/leadership-management/certificate/business-communications" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Business Communications Certificate</a></h2>



<p><strong>Requirements:</strong> Complete 7 courses (5 required + 2 electives)</p>



<p><strong>Cost</strong>: ~$6,700 (includes fee, tuition, program materials)</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online or in-person</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>Self-determined</p>



<p><strong>Course examples:</strong> The Dynamics of Interpersonal Communication; Crisis Management and Communications: Safeguarding Image and Viability; Best Practices in Social Media for the Communications Professional</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">University of Colorado—Boulder: <a href="https://www.coursera.org/specializations/effective-business-communication" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization</a></h2>



<p><strong>Requirements:</strong> 4 course series</p>



<p><strong>Cost</strong>: $49/month</p>



<p><strong>Format</strong>: Online</p>



<p><strong>Timeline: </strong>2 months (10 hours/week)</p>



<p><strong>Course examples:</strong> Business Writing; Graphic Design; Successful PresentationBeyond these examples, platforms like <a href="https://coupons.fortune.com/udemy">Udemy</a>, Coursera, and <a href="https://coupons.fortune.com/edx">edX</a> offer a variety of course offerings in the business communication space. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Changing communication dynamics</h2>



<p>One way to get ahead of the curve is to explore business communication courses. While they previously focused more on writing professional emails, completing research reports, creating effective presentations, today, the area has shifted to focus more deeply on data analytics, customer communication, social impact, and social media, Kamath notes.</p>



<p>Social media in particular has created new opportunities for businesses to sell products. According to <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/11/21/for-shopping-phones-are-common-and-influencers-have-become-a-factor-especially-for-young-adults/#:~:text=Not%20only%20do%20some%20social%20media%20users%20follow%20influencers%2C%20they%20are%20also%20turning%20to%20these%20accounts%20to%20inform%20their%20buying%20decisions" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Pew Research Center</a>, 3 in 10 adult social media users have purchased a product after seeing it on social media—with the number rising if it is mentioned by a content creator they follow.</p>



<p>Because this shift is so broad and impactful, Kamath says integrated marketing has become the most popular master’s program that NYU’s professional studies school offers. For those who work deeply in the marketing and communications space—upskilling via a graduate program could be a great opportunity. </p>



<p>For others, completing a certification program or even simply taking a one-off communication course could be a great way to learn the most up-to-date practices—especially in the wake of new technology.</p>



<p>“So, we often try to help people understand how to use technology—flavor of the month or flavor for year is AI—but how to use technology to enhance what you’re doing from a communications standpoint,” Kamath tells <em>Fortune</em>.</p>



<p>At the same time, there are also human dynamics that have changed in the workforce, including around gender, diversity, aging, hybridity, and Gen Z. Therefore, in part, exiting your algorithm is critically important to learning new ideas and having conversation, Kamath says.</p>



<p>“Whether it’s in our job life or work life or personal life like social media, is sucking us in,” she adds. “We get to be in our echo chamber because the algorithm is telling us what to consume.”</p>



<p>Her advice is to find an offering that best addresses your interests and learning desires within three large skill buckets: human, business-enabling, and technical. A course may be able to touch on all three or focus deeply on one subject. </p>



<p>The good news is that there are a variety of program lengths, costs, requirements, and focuses, and while certificates are offered, you can also choose to just enroll in individual courses. Ultimately, it is most important to choose one that best fits into your modern career goals as well as personal circumstances. </p>
</div>

Business communication programs can help you learn the most up-to-date ways to communicate using data, social media, and presentations.


These business communication courses can help grow in-demand skills for a changing workplace in 2024

Group of co-workers has a discussion around a conference table

F-Search

Education

Education Articles

Jasmine Suarez

Business

Business communication is among one of the most desired soft skills for employers across industries.

Business communication is always evolving. With these courses and certification programs, you can upskill for 2024

Business communication courses and certification programs that will help you to upskill

Fortune earns a commission for purchases made from affiliate partners via some links on our site; other links are not affiliate partner links. <a href='/affiliate-disclosure/'>Click here</a> to read the full Fortune advertiser disclosure and how we earn commissions.

We have independently evaluated the products and services below. We may earn affiliate revenue from links in the content.

Fortune Editors

Fortune Education is designed to be your guide to navigating this new, rich and somewhat overwhelming world of education. Our team of experienced editors is committed to scouring the universe of online offerings in order to rank, rate, provide comparisons and recommend the right solutions for you and your career.

Fortune Education

Uncategorized

homepage

articles

Articles Hub

By Region

By State

By Cost

Career Hub

Health and Wellness

Tech

EDUCATION

EDUCATION ARTICLES

THESE BUSINESS COMMUNICATION COURSES CAN HELP GROW IN-DEMAND SKILLS FOR A CHANGING WORKPLACE IN 2024

Business communication is always evolving. With these courses and certification programs, you can upskill for 2024 | Fortune Education

These business communication courses can help grow in-demand skills for a changing workplace in 2024 | Fortune Education

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

https://fortune.com/education/articles/real-estate-school-review-aceableagent/?itm_source=parsely-api

Rich Griset

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

https://fortune.com/education/articles/free-data-analytics-courses/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brad Haft

Best nutritionist certifications for 2024

https://fortune.com/education/articles/best-nutritionist-certifications/?itm_source=parsely-api

Brit Morse

A law associate making $300,000 a year at Skadden Arps quit over the firm’s deal with Donald Trump

/article/rachel-cohen-making-300k-year-law-associate-skadden-arps-quit-protest-firms-deal-trump/

Get ready to pay more than $2,000 for a new iPhone: Experts say Trump’s 125% tariff on China is a ‘complete disaster for Apple’ akin to ‘Armageddon’

/2025/04/10/apple-iphone-16-price-complete-disaster-china-trump-tariffs/

It’s about to get a lot harder for job seekers as tariffs are set to make the hiring landscape even more daunting

/2025/04/07/trump-tariffs-labor-market-more-challenging-job-seekers-economists-say/

This company does peer performance reviews—And then lets everyone read each other’s evaluations

/2025/03/24/performance-review-process-company-allows-all-workers-read-garner-health-workplace-culture/

2024 health coach certification review: Catalyst Coaching Institute

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-catalyst-coaching-institute/

A guide to a nurse’s salary: Broken down by all 50 states and industry type

/education/careers/nurse-salary/

2024 health coach certification review: Institute for Integrative Nutrition

/education/articles/health-coach-certification-review-institute-for-integrative-nutrition/

10 high-paying public health jobs right now

/education/careers/public-health-jobs/

Whether you’ve just completed your undergraduate degree or you are a professional with years of experience, Fortune is here to guide you on the next step of your educational journey.

Business communication courses and certification programs that will help you to upskill

About the Contributors

Top Articles

2024 real estate school review: AceableAgent

10 free data analytics courses you can take online

Best nutritionist certifications for 2024

UNC Kenan-Flagler’s top-ranked online MBA