Course list

The key to persuasion is knowing your audience, their perspective and needs, and how your solution will benefit them. Through this course, you will understand that the bulk of the persuasion process is spent learning about your audience. Once this is achieved, you use what you've discovered to persuade them toward your way of thinking. While this goes against a natural tendency to think of persuasion as being about you — your cause, your beliefs, your mission — true persuasion requires you to take your needs out of the equation. By focusing on your audience's needs, you will more solidly persuade them and, ultimately, everyone will benefit.
  • Apr 22, 2026
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Success in business often depends on the ability to influence others and gain their support for your objectives, but it takes more than charisma to win over your leaders or colleagues. Persuasive writing can help you present your case in a way that will secure critical stakeholder support.

This course will help you gain and strengthen your persuasive writing skills. You will be guided through the process of narrowing your objective to a very specific "ask," analyzing your audience to know how to appeal to their sense of reason as well as their emotions, and then building the evidence that you will use to present your case.

You will examine how to create a one-page proposal, step by step, and delve into basic design principles to maximize your writing's impact. Since electronic communication is so predominant in today's business world, you will also discover how to transform your proposal into an email. Through this course, you'll be on your way to becoming a stronger writer and business professional.

  • Apr 22, 2026
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  • Oct 7, 2026

Symposium sessions feature two days of live, highly interactive virtual Zoom sessions that will explore today's most pressing topics. The Leadership Symposium offers you a unique opportunity to engage in real-time conversations with peers and experts from the Cornell community and beyond. Using the context of your own experiences, you will take part in reflections and small-group discussions to build on the skills and knowledge you have gained from your courses.

Join us for the next Symposium in which we'll discuss the ways that leaders across industries have continued engaging their teams over the past two years while pivoting in strategic ways. You will support your coursework by applying your knowledge and experiences to relevant topics for leaders. Throughout this Symposium, you will examine different areas of leadership, including the psychology of leadership; women in leadership; and leading in a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world. By participating in relevant and engaging discussions, you will discover a variety of perspectives and build connections with your fellow participants from various industries.

All sessions are held on Zoom.

Future dates are subject to change. You may participate in as many sessions as you wish. Attending Symposium sessions is not required to successfully complete any certificate program. Once enrolled in your courses, you will receive information about upcoming events. Accessibility accommodations will be available upon request. For future reference, download our Symposium course flyer.

eCornell Online Workshops are live, interactive 3-hour learning experiences led by Cornell faculty experts. These premium short-format sessions focus on AI topics and are designed for busy professionals who want to gain immediately applicable skills and strategic perspectives. Workshops include faculty presentations, breakout discussions, and guided hands-on practice.

The AI Workshops All-Access Pass provides you with unlimited participation for 6 months from your date of purchase. Whether you choose to attend one workshop per month, or several per week, the All-Access Pass will allow you to customize your AI journey and stay on top of the latest AI trends.

Workshops cover a range of cutting-edge AI topics applicable across industries, hosted by Cornell faculty at the forefront of their fields. Whether you are just getting started with AI, seeking to build your AI skillset, or exploring advanced applications of AI, Workshops will provide you with an action-oriented learning experience for immediate application in your career. Sample Workshops include:

  • Work Smarter with AI Agents: Individual and Team Effectiveness
  • Leading AI Transformation: Bigger Than You Imagine, Harder Than You Expect
  • Using AI at Work: Practical Choices and Better Results
  • Search & Discoverability in the Era of AI
  • Don't Just Prompt AI - Govern it
  • AI-Powered Product Manager
  • Leverage AI and Human Connection to Lead through Uncertainty

To be an effective leader, you must be able to articulate your thoughts and positions in a clear and concise manner.

Professor Angela Noble-Grange of Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management draws on her own extensive experience as a speaker and communicator to guide students through the preparation and delivery process. She discusses how to identify the communication purpose and analyze your expected audience. She then shares how to formulate and rehearse your message, including how to pay attention to nonverbal communication.

To fine-tune these skills, this course includes interacting with fellow students. Students will participate in discussion forums and will record and share a video of a short presentation that serves as the course project. This provides rich opportunities for students to hone their communication and presentation skills in a practical way, and to learn from the efforts of others.

Participants in this certificate need a high-speed internet connection and a computer or device that can shoot digital videos with reasonable quality. The eCornell course delivery system provides the ability to record and upload videos, so you won't need special video software.
  • Apr 22, 2026
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When communicating your ideas or significant data through PowerPoint, it is essential that your presentation clearly articulates your points. PowerPoint templates can be visually distracting and obscure valuable insights when used incorrectly. Creating your own template allows you to customize a presentation that specifically targets your audience and embodies visual integrity.

Reading reports are a summary of the most valuable points of your PowerPoint presentation that you can send out to key stakeholders after a presentation or in place of a presentation. Using PowerPoint slides to develop a report allows you to easily manipulate images or content to create a visually appealing summary of your presentation for key decision-makers.

In this course, you will discover the visual design principles and content guidelines necessary to curate a professional PowerPoint presentation or reading report. This will first involve developing your own PowerPoint template using the visual standards that specifically target your audience. You will have the opportunity to develop two supporting PowerPoint slides with appropriate message titles and visual evidence such as charts, graphs, photographs, or artistic elements. You will explore the structural components used in PowerPoint presentations to create a sound structure that guides your audience through your points seamlessly. Finally, you will convert two existing PowerPoint slides into a compelling and professional one-page report.

Students will require access to Microsoft PowerPoint in order to successfully complete this course.

  • Apr 22, 2026
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Mediation is widely used to settle disputes ranging from conflict between neighbors to conflict between nations. Though personal disagreements and international commerce don't share the same substance or consequences, the key procedural elements of the mediation process are the same for both, so workplace conflicts tend to take the same shape regardless of the industry or the size of the conflict.

In this course you will focus on the use of mediation in resolving organizational conflict where the manager or supervisor serves in the role of mediator. Even if you are not a trained mediator, you can draw on proven mediation techniques to help resolve workplace conflict in productive ways. During this course, you will closely examine a workplace scenario and practice properly setting expectations for mediation of that conflict. In each module, new information will be revealed that will ask you to adapt to the various needs of the disputing parties. Additionally, you will practice handling unforeseen emotional outbursts in a productive way and ultimately propose solutions that consider everyone's interests. Through creative work in examining the scenario and reflecting on how the lessons might apply to your own workplace conflicts, you will learn how to expertly prevent inevitable workplace conflicts from escalating.

  • Apr 22, 2026
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  • Oct 7, 2026

From the moment you wake up to the time you go to sleep, you are engaging in impromptu communication that involves presenting ideas that need buy-in from your audience, whether it's seeking an extension on a work assignment or something as seemingly simple as deciding which parent should drive the kids to school. These are typical aspects of everyday life, but the reality is that the better prepared and adaptable you are for these situations, the more impactful you can be in your areas of communication, especially the workplace. You should obviously be rehearsed, but the more effortless and self-assured you come across while speaking, the more convincing you will be. This preparedness will give you the skills and confidence to succeed in various circumstances where effective communication is crucial.

In this course, you will be provided with a foundation in how improving your everyday communication can make your speaking skills more impactful. You will examine how to set up your message while considering its purpose, its context, and its audience. Keep in mind that this is not about speech writing but about crafting an unscripted message. You will then practice these skills in front of real people to test your ability to deliver your message in applicable environments. You'll explore what it's like to adapt that message to different surroundings and challenges. You will also develop emotional intelligence skills as you navigate how to better gauge your audience's reaction. You'll understand how applying these concepts will make your messages resonate, from a routine low-stakes situation to a formal pitch that affects your career goals.

  • May 6, 2026
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Effectively using humor to win or gain influence can make you a more effective leader. In this course, you will identify situations and environments where utilizing humor may help you gain influence, and you will identify situations where you should avoid attempting humor. You will develop skills in constructing jokes that suit specific scenarios or audiences and deciding which medium is most effective for the joke. This course also provides strategies to course-correct when a joke doesn't land well so you can safely defuse any incidental tension a joke might cause if the delivery was inappropriate or ineffective. You will review examples and stories translated from ancient Roman philosophy on using humor for influence, and you will be guided to draw parallels between ancient and modern scenarios where humor can be applied.

You will be required to purchase a copy of "How to Tell a Joke: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Humor" by course author Mike Fontaine.

  • Jun 3, 2026
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Humor can be utilized in many different situations and scenarios, but when it comes to professional settings or in the workplace, the rules and strategies for applying humor can vary. Using humor effectively requires a developed sense of both confidence and empathy to relate to others, enabling an individual to successfully manage and navigate everyday work relations and social dynamics. With these two pillars of confidence and empathy guiding your use of humor, you can empower both yourself and the people with whom you work.

In this course, you will analyze humor as applied specifically to the workplace, focusing on the social dynamics of your work peers, superiors, and subordinates. By utilizing these multiple lenses, you will strengthen your empathy and understanding of varying perspectives, gaining insight into how or why humor can help or hinder the attitudes of a team.

  • Apr 22, 2026
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  • Mar 24, 2027

Negotiations occur in large and small ways across all industries and in our personal lives. So often, though, we lack the skills necessary to reach productive resolutions: Many negotiators focus on getting exactly what they want, but the negotiation usually ends with both parties feeling unsatisfied. What if both parties strove to create value for each other and find solutions that meet both of their needs?

In this course, you will discover the art of integrative negotiation, where the focus is on creating value and finding solutions that satisfy the needs of all parties involved. Using policy case studies, you will break past the surface-level statements of the other party and examine their true motivations and interests in order to build trust and foster long-term, productive relationships. You will distinguish between several different negotiation types so that you can customize an appropriate integrative approach based on the context and goals of each negotiation. Utilizing a strategic framework, you will position yourself to understand the impact of the objectives, biases, and external factors involved in your negotiation. Applying the tools from this course will enable professionals from all walks of life, including those making policy decisions in governments and business decisions in organizations, to gain value. By the end of this course, you will have new skills and strategies to apply to reach productive resolutions in your negotiations.

  • Apr 22, 2026
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  • Jun 16, 2027

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How It Works

“
As a seasoned executive and law school graduate, this program at Cornell was an excellent experience that gave me a fresh perspective on successful strategies, sharpening my negotiation techniques and equipping me with valuable tools to create fantastic value for my employer.
‐ Brandon C.
Brandon C.

Frequently Asked Questions

Persuasion is a career-critical skill because your best ideas only move forward when other people understand them, believe them, and choose to act. Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate helps you become more intentional and repeatable in how you influence decisions, whether you are making a high-stakes pitch, writing for stakeholder approval, or navigating everyday conversations that require buy-in.

In this certificate program from the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business, you will build a practical toolkit for audience-centered communication. That includes interviewing and analyzing your audience’s needs, using credibility, evidence, and emotion appropriately, structuring persuasive messages with proven frameworks, and improving how you deliver in both planned and unscripted moments.

The experience is designed to translate directly into performance at work. You will practice through structured projects, peer discussion, and facilitator feedback so you can refine your message, strengthen your presence, and communicate with more clarity under pressure.

If you want clearer influence in meetings, stronger stakeholder buy-in for your ideas, and a set of frameworks you can apply immediately, you should choose Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate.

Many online communication courses are primarily self-directed and content-heavy, which can leave you knowing concepts but still unsure how to apply them when stakes are real. Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate is built around guided practice: You apply specific frameworks to your own workplace situations, share work with peers, and receive expert facilitator feedback that helps you improve your communication skills.

You learn in a small cohort experience that emphasizes accountability and interaction. The coursework blends short, focused lessons with discussions, skill-building exercises, and projects that require you to analyze an audience, craft a clear ask, and deliver messages across multiple formats.

Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate also includes live engagement opportunities that extend beyond the modules. The result is a learning experience that is designed to change how you communicate on the job, not just what you know about communication.

Enrolling in this certificate also provides you with a 6-month All-Access Pass to eCornell's live online AI Workshops, interactive sessions led by world-class Cornell faculty that combine Ivy League insight with practical applications for busy professionals. Each 3-hour Workshop features structured instruction, guided practice, and real tools to build competitive AI capabilities, plus the opportunity to connect with a global cohort of growth-oriented peers. While AI Workshops are not required, they enhance certificate programs through:

  • Integrating AI perspectives across most curricula
  • Responding to emerging AI developments and trends
  • Offering direct engagement with Cornell faculty at the forefront of AI research

Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate is designed for professionals who need to influence decisions, alignment, and action across different audiences and situations. The program is a strong fit if you regularly present ideas, write proposals, negotiate priorities, or manage conflict and want a more structured, repeatable approach.

The Persuasive Communication Certificate works well for:

  • Individual contributors who need buy-in without formal authority
  • Managers and team leads who must communicate clearly, resolve conflict, and align stakeholders
  • Executives and senior professionals who need to persuade across functions and levels
  • Communications professionals and entrepreneurs who pitch ideas, shape narratives, or lead change

No specific industry background is assumed. The emphasis stays on audience analysis, message strategy, and practical delivery skills you can apply in your current role.

Your work in Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate is designed to produce tangible communication assets you can use in real professional situations. Across the program, you will complete multi-part projects that build from analysis to execution, with opportunities to revise based on feedback.

Examples of the types of projects you will complete include:

  • Interviewing a target audience to uncover their needs and resistance points, then using those findings to craft a persuasive pitch
  • Planning how you will use credibility, evidence, and emotion in a specific message, then recording a structured persuasive presentation with a clear ask
  • Defining a precise stakeholder “ask,” mapping the decision-makers, building an evidence-based argument, and drafting a one-page proposal
  • Transforming a longer proposal into a concise, mobile-friendly email that preserves the core argument
  • Recording and sharing a short professional presentation so you can practice structure, rehearsal, and nonverbal delivery
  • Building a clean slide-deck template, creating message-and-evidence slides, and converting slides into a one-page reading report
  • Drafting a manager’s mediation opening statement, selecting an appropriate mediation style, and proposing solutions that address underlying interests
  • Developing a negotiation plan that distinguishes positions from interests and applies integrative tactics to reach a more durable agreement

Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate helps you improve how you influence decisions and move work forward by equipping you with repeatable frameworks for persuasive writing, speaking, and stakeholder communication.

After completing the Persuasive Communication Certificate, you will be prepared to:

  • Convey ideas clearly and persuasively to achieve results, whether verbally or in writing
  • Powerfully and succinctly deliver a specific message in an unscripted setting to gain influence in the workplace
  • Effectively communicate your ideas through professional presentations and slide decks
  • Deliver a message with maximum effectiveness
  • Select an appropriate mediation style for resolving a conflict

Students report long-term benefits that center on communication that is more intentional and reliable, rather than trial and error. They highlight practical frameworks they can apply immediately in meetings, presentations, negotiations, and everyday leadership moments, plus step-by-step methods for planning and delivering stronger presentations. Learners also emphasize confidence gains from video-based practice, better ability to stay concise and focused, and stronger results from using structured templates, exercises, discussions, and coaching-style facilitator feedback. Many describe leaving with a practical toolkit they continue to use on the job.

What truly sets eCornell apart is how our programs unlock genuine career transformation. Learners earn promotions to senior positions, enjoy meaningful salary growth, build valuable professional networks, and navigate successful career transitions.

Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate, which consists of 6 short courses (2 core and 4 elective), is designed to be completed in 3 months. Each course runs for 2 weeks, with a typical weekly time commitment of 3 to 5 hours.

In practice, you should expect:

  • Coursework you can complete on your own schedule, including videos, readings, discussions, and project work
  • Clear weekly deadlines that help you stay on track while still offering flexibility across time zones
  • Opportunities for live sessions that add interaction and support, without requiring you to be online every day

Because the learning is facilitated, you can stay flexible while still getting feedback and guidance as you apply the tools to your real communication needs.

Students in Cornell's Persuasive Communication Certificate say the program helps them communicate with intention, not by trial and error, using clear frameworks and repeatable tools they can apply immediately in meetings, presentations, negotiations, and day-to-day leadership moments. They frequently highlight how the coursework turns concepts into on-the-job performance through structured projects, practice-based assignments, and coaching-style feedback.

What learners commonly highlight includes:

  • Practical frameworks for persuading specific audiences in real time
  • Step-by-step methods for planning and delivering stronger presentations
  • Video-based practice that builds confidence and presence under pressure
  • Strategies for handling interruptions, staying concise, and maintaining focus
  • Tools for building persuasive slide decks and distinguishing reading decks vs. presentation decks
  • Negotiation and mediation approaches that improve outcomes and reduce conflict
  • A fresh, professional approach to using humor appropriately to strengthen influence
  • Short, focused learning modules that keep the content crisp and actionable
  • Interactive exercises, simulations, and discussions that reinforce skill-building
  • Facilitator feedback that feels personalized, timely, and genuinely developmental
  • A flexible, self-paced format that works for busy professionals and global time zones
  • Downloadable templates and resources students continue to use after the course ends

Overall, students describe leaving with a practical toolkit for persuasive communication, stronger leadership presence, and the ability to prepare, adapt, and deliver messages more effectively across high-stakes professional settings.

Winning support from skeptical stakeholders often depends less on forceful delivery and more on disciplined audience analysis and a clear, mutual-benefit ask. Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate helps you shift from arguing your position to understanding what your audience values, what they resist, and what evidence and framing will help them say yes.

Throughout the Persuasive Communication Certificate, you will practice techniques that make persuasion feel collaborative rather than aggressive, including:

  • Interviewing or otherwise researching your audience to uncover needs and resistance points
  • Using credibility, logic, and emotion in a balanced way based on what your stakeholders respond to
  • Structuring your message so the problem and impact are clear before you propose a solution, then closing with a specific, actionable ask
  • Building evidence-based written proposals that anticipate counterarguments and make next steps easy to approve

These habits help you come across as prepared, respectful, and focused on outcomes that work for both sides.

Practical practice is a central feature of Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate. You will work on both written and spoken communication, with assignments that ask you to draft, deliver, and refine real messages rather than only reading about best practices.

You will practice across multiple formats, including:

  • Writing a concise, stakeholder-focused proposal and adapting it into a shorter communication format
  • Recording short presentations so you can improve structure, rehearsal habits, and nonverbal delivery
  • Participating in discussions and peer feedback activities that help you see how your message lands with different audiences
  • Applying communication frameworks to realistic scenarios, including situations with resistance, conflict, or competing interests

Because Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate is facilitated, you will also receive guidance and feedback that supports iteration and improvement over time.

Most learners can complete Cornell’s Persuasive Communication Certificate with everyday technology. You will, however, want a reliable way to record and upload short videos for speaking practice, since some assignments involve sharing recorded presentations for facilitator and peer review.

A good setup typically includes:

  • A computer or mobile device with a camera and microphone that can capture clear audio and video
  • High-speed internet for uploading recorded files and participating in live sessions when offered
  • Comfort using common presentation tools for slides and reports, since you will practice building professional decks and summaries

The goal is not studio-quality production. The focus stays on improving your message strategy, clarity, and delivery in realistic workplace conditions.