Live Online Certificate

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This certificate is part of the ASCE’s Leadership & Management Certificate Program 1, which includes the ASCE Certificate in Teamwork and ASCE Certificate in Leadership Fundamentals.

Purpose and background

Course facilitator(s): TBD

This certificate awards a certificate of completion and an optional digital badge. It does not award PDH or CEU credits.

This certificate is designed to enhance the communication skills of civil engineering professionals across a wide range of contexts and audiences. Participants will explore the principles of accessible, inclusive, and ethical communication while developing practical techniques for written, verbal, and interpersonal exchanges. The curriculum emphasizes clarity in technical writing, effective presentation strategies, and the ability to translate complex engineering concepts for non-technical stakeholders.

Through case studies, interactive exercises, and real-world scenarios, learners will gain experience in crafting project scopes, writing professional emails, and engaging diverse audiences through various communication channels. The certificate also addresses the importance of active listening, nonverbal cues, and adapting communication styles to suit various professional settings. Special attention is given to the role of accessibility and diversity, equity, and inclusion in engineering communication, as well as the ethical responsibilities engineers hold when using public platforms like social media.

By the end of the certificate, participants will be equipped with the tools and confidence to communicate more effectively within teams, with clients, and with public – ensuring that their messages are clear, professional, and impactful throughout every phase of a civil engineering project.

Format

This certificate is a hybrid asynchronous 8-week certificate with four live training sessions scheduled every other week with the course facilitator(s). Participants can expect to spend 2-4 hours/week course time to work through the content. Learning activities include PowerPoint presentations with voice over, subject-matter-expert video testimony, audio clips, written information, practice activities, quizzes, peer and facilitator reviewed assignments, and a discussion board.

Benefits and learning outcomes

Upon completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Conduct thoughtful and appropriate interpersonal communications in a civil engineering context to diverse audiences.
  • Practice inclusive communications and adapt messaging to accessible formats where appropriate.
  • Effectively explain civil engineering problems in both written and verbal communications to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Evaluate audience needs in a civil engineering setting and adapt communications channels, language, and messaging to ensure understanding.
  • Prepare and deliver tactful communications on civil engineering projects to a wide audience.
  • Maintain professional and ethical communications in workplace communications and in public forums.

Assessment of learning outcomes

Students' achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed via a short post-test assessment. The exam must be passed with at least a 70% and 3 attempts are granted.

Who should attend?

Early career civil engineers

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