Online Class: Interpersonal Communication

no certificate
with CEU Certificate*
-
14Lessons
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18Exams &
Assignments -
2,077Students
have taken this course -
7Hours
average time -
0.7CEUs
Course Description
This is a course on interpersonal communication, which is essentially a focus on communication within two-person relationships. This course presents concepts essential to understanding the complex dynamics that go into constructing and maintaining our relationships, offering a multitude of research-based insights that will help students better understand themselves, their relationship partners, and relationship dynamics. The concepts presented here can be applied to relationships of all types--personal and professional: family, friends, romantic partners, co-workers, and supervisors.
Through this course, you will understand what our basic human needs are as we seek and engage in human relationships, as well as how to have your own needs met and meet the needs of the other person through your communication behaviors. Through more conscious communication, we can achieve happier and more fulfilling relationships. Also, in understanding common pitfalls and challenges in communication within relationships, you will be better positioned to confront those challenging situations with knowledge to defuse the toughest ones and be effective in your communications nonetheless.
Employing the insights presented here will very likely lead to increased satisfaction within your relationships as you learn to navigate those relationships with a consciousness of your own communication behaviors and the personal, human needs of the other person. When your own needs are increasingly being met and you are more sensitive to meeting the needs of the other person, how can your relationship not improve?
This course is a must for anyone seeking to have a better, happier existence with more fulfilling and satisfactory relationships a key component of that contentment.
Course Motivation
In this course, we will traverse several components of interpersonal communication. First, we will address individual components that comprise the complexities of interpersonal communication, and in the later units we will present how these individual components work together to create certain impressions. Our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and tools you need to make conscious decisions in your interpersonal communication with the hope of improving your communications and, in turn, improving your relationships and your successes.
Communication Defined
We begin with a brief discussion and some basic definitions of communication so that we have a clear idea of what we're working with. Communication is the sending and receiving of messages. These messages can be written, verbal, or nonverbal. Former interpersonal communication research suggested that communication occurred along one-way channels, where a message was sent, then received, then a response message was sent, then received, and so on -- each message was conceived of as individually sent and received. This way of viewing communication meant that an individual was either sending or receiving a message at any given time. Current research has evolved to the point of positing that communication is more complex than that. In fact, messages are sent and received simultaneously. If you consider yourself telling a story to an individual, or group of individuals, this will make more sense. As you tell your story, you "read" the impressions of your audience, and adapt your story accordingly. If your audience doesn't understand, their facial expressions will likely let you know, and you then know that you must elaborate further. If your audience is growing impatient, you will be able to sense this largely through their nonverbal communication, and you know that you should progress more quickly or lose your audience completely. This example illustrates how messages are simultaneously sent and received.
Interpersonal Communication Defined
When we talk about interpersonal communication, we are talking about communication that occurs between two individuals, what researchers call a dyad. We are not talking about three or more individuals, as this then becomes small group communication; similarly, we are not talking about self-talk alone. This is not to say that the principles in this course do not apply to small groups and/or to self-talk, but rather that the focus here is on dyads.
With these brief definitions in mind, let us begin our journey to further understanding the complex dynamics that occur in interpersonal communication.
- Completely Online
- Self-Paced
- Printable Lessons
- Full HD Video
- 6 Months to Complete
- 24/7 Availability
- Start Anytime
- PC & Mac Compatible
- Android & iOS Friendly
- Accredited CEUs

Course Lessons
Introduction
Lesson 1 Video
Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
Complete Assignment: An Introduction
Lesson 1: Communication Competence
Lesson 2 Video
Assessment: Lesson 1 Exam
Lesson 2: Intercultural Communication
Lesson 3 Video
Assessment: Lesson 2 Exam
Lesson 3: Communication and the Self
Lesson 4 Video
Complete: Lesson 3 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 3 Exam
Lesson 4: Nonverbal Communication
Lesson 5 Video
Complete: Lesson 4 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 4 Exam
Lesson 5: Interpersonal Perception
Lesson 6 Video
Assessment: Lesson 5 Exam
Lesson 6: Listening
Lesson 7 Video
Complete: Lesson 6 Assignment
Assessment: Lesson 6 Exam
Lesson 7: Social Relationships
Lesson 8 Video
Assessment: Lesson 7 Exam
Lesson 8: Emotions
Lesson 9 Video
Assessment: Lesson 8 Exam
Lesson 9: Conflict
Lesson 10 Video
Assessment: Lesson 9 Exam
Lesson 10: Argumentative and Aggressive Communication
Lesson 11 Video
Assessment: Lesson 10 Exam
Lesson 11: Communicating With Confidence and Assertiveness
Lesson 12 Video
Assessment: Lesson 11 Exam
Lesson 12: Targeting Your Message
Lesson 13 Video
Assessment: Lesson 12 Exam
Lesson 13: Being Approachable
Lesson 14 Video
Lesson discussions: How would you rate this course?; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course); Course Comments
Assessment: Lesson 13 Exam
Assessment: The Final Exam
Learning Outcomes
- Define communication competence.
- Describe intercultural communication.
- Summarize communication and the self.
- Identify nonverbal communication.
- Summarize interpersonal perception.
- Describe listening skills and styles.
- Recognize social relationships, emotions, and conflict and how to deal with them.
- Describe argumentative and aggressive communication.
- Demonstrate communicating with confidence and assertiveness.
- Summarize techniques for targeting your message and being approachable.
- Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
Additional Course Information

- Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
- Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
- Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
- View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
- Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media

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Includes CEUs | X |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificate & CEUs
This course only
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 6 months |
No. of courses | 1 course |
Certificates & CEUs
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 12 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Certificates & CEUs
Includes all 600+ courses
Includes certificate |
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Includes CEUs |
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Self-paced |
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Instructor support |
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Time to complete | 24 Months |
No. of courses | 600+ |
Student Testimonials
- "The instructor was excellent and provided great feedback. Thank you very much!" -- Jean B.
- "The course was very well-thought out and thorough." -- Joyce S.
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