TED’s Official Public Speaking Course

Master a variety of communication skills with TED’s official public speaking course, now available on YouTube Courses. This course will teach you how to identify, develop and share your best ideas with the world.

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YouTube Courses are currently only available in the United States, but YouTube is working on expanding into other regions in 2023.

The proceeds from this course support TED-Ed's nonprofit mission of creating and distributing free, high-quality animations.

Master the art of public speaking

  • Craft them into compelling narratives.
  • Present so that people want to listen.

Become a better communicator

  • Establish a connection with your listeners.
  • Give more persuasive presentations.
  • Explain complex ideas.

© 2024 TED Conferences, LLC. All rights reserved. Please note that the TED Talks Usage policy does not apply to this content and is not subject to our creative commons license.

Mastering Public Speaking

Mastering Public Speaking

Become an effective public speaker by discovering how to talk confidently and persuasively to both large and small groups. This course will help you equip yourself with the skills you need to communicate with ease and authority on the job or in any social setting.

Requirements

You can become an effective public speaker! In this course, you will discover how to talk confidently and persuasively to both large audiences and small groups. You will also learn how to plan and deliver your presentations skillfully and how to manage one of the most common public speaking barriers—fear.

You'll learn the secrets to presenting a speech, how to handle questions and manage conflict in meetings, and even how to shine in a job interview. You will get tips for training your voice and learn how to use both verbal and nonverbal communication effectively. By the time you finish this course, you'll have an entire set of skills you can use on the job, in social settings, and in any other situation where you need to communicate with ease and authority!

Enrollment Options:

Lesson 1 - you can do it, lesson 2 - understanding how communication works, lesson 3 - taking the fear out of fear, lesson 4 - developing a confident voice, lesson 5 - harnessing the power of nonverbal communication, lesson 6 - speaking well in social settings, lesson 7 - acing interviews, lesson 8 - impromptu speaking, lesson 9 - preparing and delivering short talks, lesson 10 - managing questions, conversations, and conflict, lesson 11 - mastering the long speech, lesson 12 - managing equipment and media.

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • This course can be taken on either a PC, Mac, or Chromebook.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader .
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

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Curt Simmons

Curt Simmons, B.A., M.Ed, is a best-selling author, trainer, and multi-media expert. He holds degrees in English and communication studies and has more than 10 years of experience teaching English and writing in the classroom. Additionally, Simmons has authored numerous books on a wide variety of technology topics and has been a technical editor for numerous other titles.

Instructor Interaction : The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

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Top 10 Public Speaking Courses, Classes, Certification & Training Online in 2024

Are you a student or a professional looking to enhance your public speaking skills these online public speaking courses and training classes can provide a kick start to your public speaking learning and help you become an excellent public speaker..

by Coleen Davis January 1, 2024, 9:22 am 1.6k Views

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We select and review courses independently. This post may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a commission, which helps to support our website.

Public speaking is one of the most important skills in today’s world. Public presentation skills allow individuals whether students, business professionals, elected officials, motivational authors or speakers, entertainers, or other professionals to persuade and captivate their audience effectively. Therefore, pursuing a public speaking certification can be a great way to advance your goals.

According to a study by sociologist Andrew Zekeri, college graduates consider oral communication and public speaking skills to be the number one skill. Thousands of college students and professionals take up public speaking courses online every year.

Public speaking training courses are designed to teach individuals the skills and techniques that they need to capture audience’s attention. These help to improve the ability to communicate, overcome fear and anxiety of public speaking, develop leadership skills and project confidence. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits of public speaking skills training –

  • Developing critical thinking skills – Individuals can develop critical thinking skills by pursuing public speaking classes. Since students, as well as professionals, need an ability to think critically as well as problem-solving skills, they can greatly benefit from these classes.
  • Analytical and research skills – Another great benefit of pursuing a speech communication class is that individuals can enhance their ability to conduct research and use their analytical skills. Since public speakers are required to provide evidence for the facts that they mention in their speeches, research and analytical skills are automatically strengthened.
  • Improving verbal as well as non-verbal skills – Another benefit of taking public speaking lessons is that individuals can improve their verbal and non-verbal skills. These help you to practice your communication skills, whether you’re speaking for the first time or have experience with public speaking. Sometimes, people who are speaking in public settings tend to pause too often or twirl their hair or mispronounce words repeatedly, without realizing. To overcome these tiny mistakes, a public speech course can be helpful.
  • Overcoming fear of public speaking – One of the most important benefits of pursuing speaking courses is overcoming the fear of public speaking. Most people experience some form of anxiety when they’re supposed to speak in public. Through public speaking workshops, they can learn various strategies to reduce their anxiety and become more confident.

We have compiled below a list of the best public speaking courses, certifications, training and classes online. These include both paid and free courses for individuals at all levels. Beginners can use these courses to quickly master the fundamentals of speaking. For seasoned speakers, these courses can help to better understand public speaking and push their skills to the next level.

1. Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization by University of Washington (Coursera)

Online Courses by University of Washington

The courses in this program teach the following skills:

  • How to organize talks clearly, and write them memorably
  • Rehearsal techniques to develop a strong and vibrant speaking voice
  • Dynamic movement and gestures for speech delivery
  • How to explain complex ideas vividly and accessibly
  • Designing clear and compelling presentation slides
  • Speaking dynamically from notes and/or a manuscript
  • Using rhetorical style strategically
  • How to persuade and motivate audience with solid arguments
  • How to incorporate evidence, storytelling, and humor in speech

By the end of the specialization, learners develop the experience and skills to design compelling presentations and deliver effective speeches for various purposes, occasions (workplace, special events, etc.), and audiences.

Key Highlights

  • Regarded as one of the best Coursera Public Speaking courses
  • Excellent fit for speakers at any level
  • Opportunity to design, practice as well as record speeches and also receive feedback on the same, from the educators
  • Learn delivery techniques for voice, movement, and gesture that engage audiences
  • Master speechwriting techniques for storytelling, argument, style, topic framing, and discussing evidence
  • The skills learnt can be applied in academic as well as professional setting
  • On successful completion of the program, all participants would receive a shareable certificate
  • Learners can take the courses as per their schedule
  • The specialization is available in English, with English, French, Italian, Vietnamese, Spanish, German, Russian, and Arabic subtitles

Duration : 5 months, 3 hours per week Rating : 4.8 Sign up Here

2. The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course (Udemy)

Udemy Online Courses

Organized as 12 modules, the course covers all that one needs to know to prepare and deliver a great speech in both business and personal settings. It is full of exercises, examples and templates to help learners work smarter and not harder when making a speech. The following are covered:

  • How to identify with the audience (your customer/target market)
  • Begin with the end goal in mind of your speech
  • What to include in your speech and how to structure it
  • How to create incredible content for your speech
  • Using the best body language
  • How to ace the Q&A session of your speech and answer literally any question
  • Appearance secrets from professional television/movie stars, what to wear, nutrition tips and more
  • Post presentation to dos
  • It is a beginner-level course that anyone can pursue. No prior knowledge of public speaking or presentations is required
  • Individuals will learn how to increase their confidence, be more prepared, presentation skills, answer any question, post-presentation to-dos, and other such skills
  • Learners can take the entire course in order or choose to take up the topics that they’re interested
  • Access to 25 speech guides and well over 50 templates for every type of presentation/speech/public speaking occasion
  • Full lifetime access to all course content including future updates
  • Available in English with subtitles in other languages

Duration : 16 hours on-demand video Rating : 4.5 Sign up Here

3. Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion (Udemy)

The author of the course TJ Walker has over 30 years of experience in media training for Presidents, Prime Ministers and CEOs. He brings the same insights taught in his one-to-one programs to this online public speaking class making it suitable for every situation, audience and skill level.

There aren’t any prerequisites for this course. Learners only need to have the willingness to learn public speaking and get out of their comfort zone.

  • Highest rated Udemy Public Speaking course
  • Learn how to train, prepare, prep and rehearse for every speech
  • Master the art of messaging, answering questions, and most important, how to package and deliver your message to your audience
  • Anyone at any level can pursue this public speaking course for beginners to learn basic to advanced public speaking
  • Full lifetime access to all video content, articles and downloadable resources
  • 100% money back guarantee from Udemy

Duration : 31 hours on-demand video Rating : 4.5 Sign up Here

4. Public Speaking Certification by Rochester Institute of Technology (edX)

Online Courses by Rochester Institute of Technology

With this course, you can study the methods that will help you reduce anxiety and build your confidence. You will learn how to customize a method so that you can succeed at public speaking. You get to learn the principles that are required for speaking in public formally, along with evidence, strategy, ethics, organization, use of language, delivery as well as using media aids for your speech or presentation.

The course is suitable for both beginners looking to learn public speaking skills and pros looking to brush up their skills. It is presented by Keith B. Jenkins, Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity and Inclusion at RIT.

  • Build confidence as a speaker by learning how to use simple tools
  • Learn skills to prepare and deliver memorable presentations
  • Learn the basic elements of the speech communication process and how to apply them
  • Understand how to identify main and supporting ideas for your speech
  • Learn to critique other communicators using the principles of this course
  • Upon successfully completing the course, Get an official and verified certificate to add to your CV, resume, or LinkedIn profile
  • Self-paced learning to allow participants to progress at their own speed

Duration : 3 weeks, 4-6 hours per week Rating : 4.5 Sign up Here

5. Presentations: Speaking so that People Listen by UCI (Coursera)

Online Courses by University of California, Irvine

The course covers the following topics in four weekly modules:

  • Different types of presentations
  • How to structure your presentation
  • Developing and organizing ideas for your speech or presentation
  • Verbal and non-verbal delivery
  • Tips and tricks for presenting
  • Gain confidence to deliver speeches and communicate clearly
  • Learn to create and deliver memorable presentations
  • Intermediate-level course with flexible deadlines so can be pursued at own speed
  • On successfully completing the course, you can earn a shareable certificate
  • As part of the course, learners get to record videos of themselves giving presentations that are assigned to them and they also receive feedback on the same
  • Option to audit the course for free. If you want to access the peer feedback and quizzes as well as get the certificate, you need to pay for it

Duration : Approx. 25 hours Rating : 4.5 Sign up Here

6. Successful Presentation by University of Colorado Boulder (Coursera)

Online Courses by University of Colorado Boulder

In this course, Prof. William Kuskin presents practical videos and exercises to teach public speaking as well as presentation. There are four themes in the course – how to master your fear, how to develop a creative formula, how to use your verbal as well as body language, and how to read the room. The tips that he offers can help you find your power as a speaker and give excellent speeches and presentations.

  • Learn practical formula for successful presentations that can be used for various presentation scenarios
  • Learn to focus your language to express your personal style of passion
  • Learn how to engage with your audience and how to deal with interruptions and hostility
  • Beginner-level course with no prerequisites
  • Flexible deadlines allowing participants to pursue the course at their convenience

Duration : Approx. 20 hours Rating : 4.7 Sign up Here

7. Storytelling and influencing: Communicate with impact by Macquarie University (Coursera)

Online Courses by Macquarie University

The course focuses on practical learning and includes several structured learning activities in addition to video lectures, such as quizzes, discussion prompts and written assessments that help participants to develop their capacity to communicate appropriately in different situational and cultural contexts. This sets the tone towards helping them become highly influential leaders.

The course comprises of 6 weekly modules that discuss the following:

  • Basic theory of persuasive communication, including models of information processing, motivational appeals, message acceptance, fast and slow decision making and rules of effective human interactions
  • Storytelling principles like shaping the beginning, building the middle, and making the ending powerful
  • Use of verbal and non-verbal cues and the techniques of matching and mirroring the body language
  • How to lead influential group conversation
  • How to prepare for stressful conversations and deal with objections and overcome resistance
  • How to pitch a brilliant idea
  • Most highly rated Public Speaking training course on Coursera
  • Learn how to speak authentically, and how to quickly build and maintain rapport
  • Learn the power of impression management
  • Understand how to apply a range of different strategies to a variety of contexts to overcome resistance and find acceptance
  • Learn how to find the winning idea for your story and quickly connect to ideas in people’s mind

Duration : Approx. 18 hours Rating : 4.8 Sign up Here

8. Free Public Speaking Courses & Training (LinkedIn Learning)

LinkedIn Learning Online Courses

LinkedIn Learning offers a learning path – Develop Your Presentation Skills , which is a series of 7 courses that will help you to learn how to design presentations that will hold people’s attention, present your ideas with confidence, and engage an audience by presenting well‐organized material in an understandable format.

You may also take up individual courses that suit your learning needs. Some of the best public speaking certificate courses on LinkedIn Learning include the following:

  • Communicating with Confidence By: Jeff Ansell Duration: 1h 16m
  • Speaking Confidently and Effectively By: Pete Mockaitis Duration: 22m
  • Public Speaking Foundations By: Laura Bergells Duration: 1h 3m
  • Managing Your Anxiety While Presenting By: Matt Abrahams Duration: 25m
  • Jodi Glickman on Pitching Yourself By: Jodi Glickman Duration: 15m
  • Own Your Voice: Improve Presentations and Executive Presence By: genConnectU Duration: 37m
  • Shane Snow on Storytelling By: Shane Snow Duration: 1h 8m
  • Overcoming Your Fear of Public Speaking By: Todd Dewett Duration: 19m
  • Creating and Giving Business Presentations By: Tatiana Kolovou Duration: 1h 8m
  • Master Confident Presentations By: Chris Croft Duration: 1h 50m
  • Delivery Tips for Speaking in Public By: Daisy Lovelace Duration: 31m
  • Learn to be confident when presenting
  • Establish credibility as a speaker
  • Create professional and engaging PowerPoint presentations
  • Courses developed by expert professionals and instructors with extensive domain knowledge
  • Free trial for one month
  • Option to cancel anytime
  • Complete flexibility of timelines allowing one to pursue at their own speed and convenience

Duration : Self-Paced Rating : 4.5 Sign up Here

9. Public Speaking Courses & Certification Online (Udemy)

Some of the best public speaking classes on Udemy include –

  • Powerful Speaking by Julian Treasure, a 5-Time TED speaker – This course is of 1.5 hours and includes 19 lectures. It is for individuals of all levels.
  • The Complete Presentation and Public Speaking/Speech Course by Chris Haroun – This is a 16-hour course, consisting of 25 lectures, for individuals of all levels.
  • 2021 Complete Public Speaking Masterclass For Every Occasion by TJ Walker – This course consists of 601 lectures, for individuals of all levels and can be completed in 31 hours.
  • Hacking Public Speaking by David Nihill – This course includes 4.5 hours of video lectures with 12 articles and is suitable for people of any experience level.
  • Speak Like a Pro: Public Speaking for Professionals by Jennifer Hennings – This is a NASBA CPE accredited course, with 1 hour of video and 17 downloadable resources. It also includes 1 practice test.
  • Courses designed for all levels of individuals from beginner to seasoned speakers
  • Classes taught by real world experts
  • Learn the basic elements of great public speaking
  • Learn helpful tips on speaking in front of others
  • Learn risk free with 30 day money back guarantee offer by Udemy
  • Full access to all course materials for life along with any future updates
  • Earn a certificate of completion with each course
  • Learn at your own pace on mobile or desktop

10. Free Public Speaking Classes & Workshops Online (Skillshare)

Skillshare Online Courses

Some of the best public speaking training courses on Skillshare include –

  • Communication Skills: Become More Clear, Concise, & Confident – This is a 9 video lessons, 53 minutes course offered by Alex Lyon, to help develop communication skills and make an impact as a team leader and manager.
  • How to Speak Confidently on Camera: A Guide for Content Creators – If you are a content creator who’s looking for public speech training, this is your go-to course. It is a 75-minute course offered by Nathaniel Drew, for anyone at any level. There are 11 videos in the course from which you can learn to express yourself honestly and authentically, be comfortable and at ease in front of the camera and be confident, spontaneous, and authentic.
  • Intro to Public Speaking – Give a 5-Minute Talk without Dying – Another one of the best public speaking classes on Skillshare is this. It is a 9-lesson, 47-minute course wherein individuals can learn how to deliver their concept in highly visual slides, connect with their audience on a personal level, convey your idea and act, sound, and look like a professional while speaking in public.
  • Public speaking lessons and tutorials taught by experts and pros in the field
  • Learn all about body language, confidence, voice improvement and presentation skills
  • Classes broken up into short lessons for ease of learning
  • Several hands on projects included for practice
  • Get access to an entire community of learners

If you think that you can benefit by becoming an effective and polished public speaker and if you have the time to put in the efforts, then you should definitely consider pursuing one of these public speaking courses. You can learn highly valuable skills that will be useful in every situation.

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Best Communication Skills Courses

List of the top communication skills courses to improve your public speaking, selling techniques, networking, body language, ability to persuade, and more.

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Communicating Across Cultures

Linkedin learning.

In order to communicate effectively in a cross-cultural business setting, it's important to understand your international colleagues' underlying values, beliefs, and history. In this course, you’ll discover techniques to communicate well across cultures as a manager, peer, and co-worker.

Course link:  Learn more

Auther: Tatiana Kolovou

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Influencing People

Futurelearn - michigan university.

Influence in the workplace is essential in making your voice heard and respected. It’s also a driving factor in helping you and your team collaborate effectively. On this four-week course, you’ll build skills in influencing tactics to help with communication and gaining power in the workplace.

Auther: Multiple

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Essential Public Speaking (with Practice Exercises)

Virtualspeech.

Perfect your speaking, communication and presentation skills with traditional tutorial classes combined with practice exercises. Learn the fundamentals of communication online, then practice these topics in realistic exercises, with real-time speech analysis and feedback.

Auther: Dom Barnard

speech communication skills class

Successful Negotiation: Strategies and Skills

Negotiation is the key to business success and can lead to your career advancement. In this course, you’ll learn four steps to a successful negotiation: planning the negotiation strategy, key tactics for success, closing and creating a contract and evaluating the end game.

Auther: George Siedel

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Chris Anderson on Public Speaking

A carefully crafted talk can be the key to unlocking empathy, stirring excitement, spreading knowledge, and promoting a shared dream. As the Head of TED, Chris Anderson knows this first hand. In this course, you’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to use public speaking to share powerful ideas.

Auther: Chris Anderson

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Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking

Harvard university.

This course is an introduction to the theory and practice of rhetoric, the art of persuasive writing and speech. In it, you will learn to construct and defend compelling arguments, a crucial skill in many settings. We will be using selected speeches from prominent twentieth-century Americans.

Auther: James Engell

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The Art of Networking

Creativelive.

You arrive at an event and your heart is beating quickly and your palms get sweaty. Most people get very nervous at networking events and struggle to connect with people. This course will help grow your confidence, build real relationships and maximize your networking potential.

Auther: Jordan, AJ, and Johnny

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Communicating with Confidence

Most people are afraid of speaking in public, but effective oral communication is a key skill in business. This course provides simple communication tools, strategies, and tips that are easy to use and produce immediate results. He'll help you sound more confident, use body and language to better express ideas, and overcome anxiety.

Auther: Jeff Ansell

speech communication skills class

Business Fundamentals: Effective Communication

Futurelearn.

Faced with a daily deluge of information, we have never had greater need of clear communication skills. This online course offers you a practical grounding in using a range of communication media, to boost your personal effectiveness, save you time and reduce your stress levels.

Auther: Hilary Collins

Effective Communication: Writing, Design, and Presentation Specialization

You’ll hone your written, visual, and verbal business presentation skills, and learn to write well-organized, clear business documents that showcase your ideas; to design elegant presentation slides, reports, documents, and other visual products; and to present and speak with confidence.

Become a Better Communicator

This course provides an introduction to the communication and mindfulness skills required by professionals. You’ll learn about the three styles of communication: instinctual, emotional, and rational, and by the end of the course, you’ll have a deeper understanding of who you are as a communicator.

Auther: Susan Piver

Communicating with Empathy

When empathetic communication is encouraged at work, individuals feel more comfortable speaking openly, they feel like they matter, and they feel safe. This course explains the principles of empathetic communication and specific strategies to help improve your approach to difficult conversations.

Auther: Sharon Steed

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Impromptu Speaking (with Online Practice)

This short course will give you the techniques to speak convincingly in impromptu situations. Learn why impromptu speaking is so critical to your career, how to structure your words to give a clear and strong message, and what to do when you have no time to prepare and have to think on your feet.

Auther: Julian Mayhew

Digital Body Language

This course will teach you what your digital brand says about you through your social media pictures, website and more. You have 0.05 seconds to make a good first impression online - you have to hook someone and convey who you are, why they should connect with you and build trust.

Auther: Vanessa Van Edwards

Business English Communication Skills Specialization

Communicate effectively in English in professional contexts. You will expand your English vocabulary, improve your ability to write and speak in English, and learn terminology that you can apply to business negotiations, telephone conversations, written reports and emails, and professional presentations.

Communicating Complex Information: Presenting Your Ideas Clearly and Effectively

In a time when experts are all too often ignored or misunderstood, communicating complex information accurately is essential. On this course, you will learn specific strategies to get your ideas across; discovering how to organize your messages, and how to use and create visuals to enhance understanding.

Auther: Melanie Morgan, Douglas Pruim

10 Tips for Improving Your Public Speaking Skills

Few are immune to the fear of public speaking. Marjorie North offers 10 tips for speakers to calm the nerves and deliverable memorable orations.

Marjorie North

Snakes? Fine. Flying? No problem. Public speaking? Yikes! Just thinking about public speaking — routinely described as one of the greatest (and most common) fears — can make your palms sweat. But there are many ways to tackle this anxiety and learn to deliver a memorable speech.

In part one of this series,  Mastering the Basics of Communication , I shared strategies to improve how you communicate. In part two, How to Communicate More Effectively in the Workplace , I examined how to apply these techniques as you interact with colleagues and supervisors in the workplace. For the third and final part of this series, I’m providing you with public speaking tips that will help reduce your anxiety, dispel myths, and improve your performance.

Here Are My 10 Tips for Public Speaking:

1. nervousness is normal. practice and prepare.

All people feel some physiological reactions like pounding hearts and trembling hands. Do not associate these feelings with the sense that you will perform poorly or make a fool of yourself. Some nerves are good. The adrenaline rush that makes you sweat also makes you more alert and ready to give your best performance.

The best way to overcome anxiety is to prepare, prepare, and prepare some more. Take the time to go over your notes several times. Once you have become comfortable with the material, practice — a lot. Videotape yourself, or get a friend to critique your performance.

Communication Strategies: Presenting with Impact

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2. Know Your Audience. Your Speech Is About Them, Not You.

Before you begin to craft your message, consider who the message is intended for. Learn as much about your listeners as you can. This will help you determine your choice of words, level of information, organization pattern, and motivational statement.

3. Organize Your Material in the Most Effective Manner to Attain Your Purpose.

Create the framework for your speech. Write down the topic, general purpose, specific purpose, central idea, and main points. Make sure to grab the audience’s attention in the first 30 seconds.

4. Watch for Feedback and Adapt to It.

Keep the focus on the audience. Gauge their reactions, adjust your message, and stay flexible. Delivering a canned speech will guarantee that you lose the attention of or confuse even the most devoted listeners.

5. Let Your Personality Come Through.

Be yourself, don’t become a talking head — in any type of communication. You will establish better credibility if your personality shines through, and your audience will trust what you have to say if they can see you as a real person.

6. Use Humor, Tell Stories, and Use Effective Language.

Inject a funny anecdote in your presentation, and you will certainly grab your audience’s attention. Audiences generally like a personal touch in a speech. A story can provide that.

7. Don’t Read Unless You Have to. Work from an Outline.

Reading from a script or slide fractures the interpersonal connection. By maintaining eye contact with the audience, you keep the focus on yourself and your message. A brief outline can serve to jog your memory and keep you on task.

8. Use Your Voice and Hands Effectively. Omit Nervous Gestures.

Nonverbal communication carries most of the message. Good delivery does not call attention to itself, but instead conveys the speaker’s ideas clearly and without distraction.

9. Grab Attention at the Beginning, and Close with a Dynamic End.

Do you enjoy hearing a speech start with “Today I’m going to talk to you about X”? Most people don’t. Instead, use a startling statistic, an interesting anecdote, or concise quotation. Conclude your speech with a summary and a strong statement that your audience is sure to remember.

10. Use Audiovisual Aids Wisely.

Too many can break the direct connection to the audience, so use them sparingly. They should enhance or clarify your content, or capture and maintain your audience’s attention.

Practice Does Not Make Perfect

Good communication is never perfect, and nobody expects you to be perfect. However, putting in the requisite time to prepare will help you deliver a better speech. You may not be able to shake your nerves entirely, but you can learn to minimize them.

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About the Author

North is a consultant for political candidates, physicians, and lawyers, and runs a private practice specializing in public speaking, and executive communication skills. Previously, she was the clinical director in the department of speech and language pathology and audiology at Northeastern University.

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Each time you open your mouth to speak, it’s a presentation of your thoughts. That’s why our coaches are formally educated in all areas related to communication. Our coaches have been on Oprah , TED talks, CNN , ABC , Bloomberg , FOX , and more! They are in high demand around the world and are often seen as the authority on all things related to communication. While our flag ship program is presentation skills, we do so much more. Our team has worked with Harvard University , MIT , Johns Hopkins University , the White House , the FBI , and thousands of companies, hospitals, design firms, doctors, executives, teachers, celebrities, politicians, and others who use talking in their job. Our team works with global leaders on presentation skills and many other areas in their communication. Each program we create is custom-designed to fit your needs and implemented by our highly trained, formally educated, internationally recognized speech coaches. Whether you’re delivering a formal presentation and need to polish your presentation skills, or you need individual communication skill building, our highly trained coaches will help you learn and develop the presentation skills you need to be both comfortable and effective

You can speak with confidence knowing that you have been vetted and helped by a Speech Improvement Company coach. In addition to the formal educations in areas related to speech communication, our team meets every month for an entire day of continued development. You might only imagine what it is like to be a fly on the wall during those meetings!

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Private Coaching – Group Workshops – In-person or Remote

Our world-class communication coaches have decades of experience, across four continents, helping people communicate more effectively at large corporations, small companies, governments and universities. We teach productive communication to individuals such as Fortune 500 executives, board members, managers, politicians, professional athletes, doctors, teachers, administrators, salespeople, service agents, entrepreneurs, and even  professional speakers . They all attend our one-on-one coaching and group workshops to learn a diverse set of skills, from  speaking clearly  to persuasive public speaking to overcoming  fear of speaking,  handling challenging customers, and the importance of communication skills in selling.

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speech communication skills class

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Visual aids can help or hurt a presentation. Whether you are using PowerPoint, Keynote, Prezi, slides, video, a software interface, or other visual support, you need to make sure that the visuals won’t distract from the presentation. Many speakers have chosen abandon visual aids altogether and even proclaim that they are above using such tools. However, well-utilized visuals will significantly improve a presentation. This training will teach the best visual aid practices and offer the opportunity to practice techniques with individualized coaching feedback. Listeners will appreciate how the skillful use of visual aids truly enhances your presentations.

Speakers must prepare to answer real questions about their topic. Sometimes, listeners ask friendly, genuine questions, but often, you might be tasked with answering aggressive or set-up questions. In either case, the ability to handle even the most challenging question in a clear, comfortable, and competent manner is an important skill. Whether you have been called to answer questions at a congressional committee, in a sales meeting, or during a team presentation, this module will teach you how to hear and understand questions in order to respond with practical answers.

Have you ever wondered how some people always have the right thing to say at the right time? There is an art to handling yourself well in just about any setting—from dealing with an angry customer to holding a political debate or managing a contentious investor meeting.

Imagine yourself in front of the executive committee, the board of directors, the press, or a client, and someone requests that you speak on an unfamiliar topic. Perhaps you are asked a tough question that you hadn’t anticipated. What do you say? Thinking on your feet is a module that teaches you how to process and organize your thoughts quickly in a way that will help you communicate clearly and with confidence

What two words would you like people to say about you after you have left a meeting or a conversation? The answer defines your communication style. Style coaching is one of our most popular leadership and management offerings. It allows senior executives, managers, and emerging leaders to achieve their personal vision of how they wish to present themselves. Our coaches work with clients on their core communication skills, beginning with their two style words. The result is authentic, comfortable, and effective leadership or management capabilities.

Most crucial business communication occurs between leaders, managers, board members, and shareholders. Because Boards advise and direct management teams on key decisions, it is critical that leaders and managers clearly communicate the vision, metrics, and progress of the organization. Having worked with thousands of managers and board members, we have developed valuable insight into how relationships, presentations, handling questions, and more can affect your communication success. Whether you’re new to senior management or an old pro, this module will allow you to hone your Board and shareholder presentations and share your thoughts in a clear, concise manner. Our guidance will help you strengthen your relationships and effectiveness with your Board and shareholders.

Since the 1990s, coaching and mentoring have become widely used to develop employees in the business world and are important skills for anyone in a managerial or leadership role. Learn how to communicate in both coaching and mentoring styles while learning the differences between the two. Among other things, learn Socratic questioning, goal setting, skills in accountability, and ways to inspire that lead to complete development.

At times, speaking with coworkers, your staff, your boss, and, yes, your customers can be difficult. They may come to you with stories about their problems or your mistakes. They might even mistreat you. We need to remember that there are always two sides to every story. Learn how to diffuse difficult situations and become the difficult person’s advocate rather than the enemy.

When relationships are strong, you can communicate anything. When they are not strong, even the simplest feedback becomes difficult. This module provides an understanding of why and how strong relationships are created using our original research, which has unveiled the two most essential characteristics for building a solid working relationship. This module utilizes practice to strengthen the techniques and skills that foster trusting relationships.

Listening is not just about hearing—it involves the understanding and evaluation of what is heard. Whether you’re in a face-to-face meeting or talking on the phone, leaders and managers must exhibit comfort and proficiency in six specific areas of listening, or messages can be misunderstood. These qualities and techniques are the focus of this module. In addition, this module covers the top ten barriers to listening and how to overcome them. This is one of our most popular topics.

Have you ever felt that your listeners were confused? Have listeners ever asked you to get to the point? Truly connecting with your listeners is fundamental to all communication and critical for a successful presentation. This module teaches you how to make your point and engage all of your listeners. It does not provide a one-size-fits-all methodology but instead covers a whole range of skills from which you may choose the best approach for specific groups.

Business speaking requires a mixture of information and persuasion. Both are critical, and you use both in different situations and for various reasons. The distinction between these two types of speaking is that informative speaking lists data and impartially clarifies and enlightens with no particular goal other than making information clear. Persuasive speaking urges a partisan decision, favors a position, and tries to garner acceptance for that position. In many presentations, the speaker will use both information and persuasion in order to convince the listeners.

This training will help you understand the difference between informative and persuasive presentation. It teaches how to implement these concepts in your content and delivery and the three ways of persuasion that are used in virtually all presentations we see today. You’ll learn how to choose the proper mode of persuasion and how to match your message to your listeners.

Do your listeners ask you to repeat keywords? The ability to speak clearly is an important skill, no matter who you are. There are several ways to lose your listeners, but poor articulation, mumbling, and lack of volume are the most preventable. Don’t force listeners to work harder to understand the words coming out of your mouth! This module on communication excellence will teach key sounds and practice techniques to ensure that you are speaking clearly.

Your customers will often pay attention to how you sound as much as what you are saying. A positive interaction can depend on your tone and inflection, speed, and projection.

Plus, words matter! Your choice of words, such as “customers,” “clients,” “guests,” or “patrons,” will shape their perception, and perception shapes service communication. Don’t let your choice of words become a distraction during a customer interaction. This teaches participants the various sounds of service and how to master their sounds to best communicate with customers.

How to Choose a Speech Coach

speech communication skills class

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Speech Communication – COMS 101

CG • Section 8WK • 11/08/2019 to 04/16/2020 • Modified 02/01/2024

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Course Description

For information regarding prerequisites for this course, please refer to the  Academic Course Catalog .

Communication skills are vital in nearly every career field, including education, business, politics, human services, Christian ministry, and the health professions. Learning these skills will also allow students to use their words to become even more effective agents for change and godly influence among their peers and others in our society. Students will understand and apply healthy and effective communication principles and practices to speaking before audiences, in small groups, and in conversations with others.

Course Assignment

Textbook readings and video presentations

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations , the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Video Discussions (2)

Video Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will demonstrate his/her understanding of covered communication concepts by creating and posting a critical, thoughtful thread in response to both of the Video Discussion prompts. For each new thread, the student must provide a substantive response to the prompt required by the specific Discussion instructions. Properly formatted replies of at least 75 words must be posted in response to 3 or more other students’ threads. (FSLO: CIL 1, 2, and 3)

Discussion: Speech Analysis Dialogue

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student will demonstrate his/her understanding of the covered communication concepts by creating and posting a critical, thoughtful thread in response to the Discussion prompt. In the initial thread, the student must provide a substantive response to the prompt required by the specific Discussion instructions. Properly formatted replies of at least 75 words must be posted in response to 3 or more other students’ threads. (FSLO: CIL 1, 2, and 3)

Speech Outline Assignments (2)

The student will demonstrate his/her understanding of covered communication concepts by using the provided outline templates to compose a properly formatted outline for the informative speech presentation and the persuasive speech presentation that he/she will submit for credit in this course. The Speech Outline may be submitted, initially, as an optional rough draft and will then be submitted, by its designated due date, as a required final outline. Each speech outline must be composed in Microsoft Word. The Informative Speech Outline Assignment must cite at least 3 expert sources, and the Persuasive Speech Outline Assignment must cite at least 4 expert sources. (FSLO: CIL 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; CT 2 and 4)

Speech Presentation Assignments (2)

The student will demonstrate his/her understanding of covered public communication concepts by presenting an informative speech and a persuasive speech, respectively, before a visually documented live audience of 3 or more adults. The Informative Speech Outline Assignment must cite at least 3 expert sources, and the Persuasive Speech Outline Assignment must cite at least 4 expert sources. Each speech must be 4-6 minutes and satisfy the other criteria set forth in the assignment instructions. Once the speech is recorded, the student will upload the recording to Mindtap/Bongo, and then post the video’s link to the instructor. (FSLO: CIL 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5; CGE 5; CC 3 and 4)

Quizzes (16)

Each quiz will cover a chapter of textbook readings for the assigned Module: Week. Each quiz will be open-book/open-notes, contain 10 true/false and multiple-choice questions, and have a time limit of 30 minutes. (FSLO: CIL 1, 3, and 5; and CT 1)

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Home » Blog » General » A Comprehensive Guide to High School Speech Curriculum

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A Comprehensive Guide to High School Speech Curriculum

Welcome to my blog post on high school speech curriculum! In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the importance of speech curriculum in high school and provide an overview of key components, benefits, implementation strategies, and available resources. Whether you are a teacher, parent, or student, this guide will provide valuable insights to help you understand and prioritize speech education in high school.

Understanding High School Speech Curriculum

Before we delve into the benefits and implementation of high school speech curriculum, let’s first understand what it entails. High school speech curriculum refers to a structured set of activities, lessons, and assessments designed to develop and enhance students’ speech and language skills. It encompasses various components that address different aspects of communication. Let’s take a closer look at these key components:

1. Speech and Language Development

Speech and language development is a fundamental aspect of high school speech curriculum. It focuses on improving students’ ability to express themselves clearly and understand others effectively. This component includes activities that target vocabulary development, sentence structure, grammar, and comprehension skills.

2. Articulation and Phonology

Articulation and phonology are crucial components of high school speech curriculum, as they address difficulties in producing speech sounds accurately. Students with articulation and phonological disorders may struggle with pronouncing certain sounds or may exhibit patterns of sound errors. The curriculum includes activities and exercises to help students improve their speech sound production.

3. Fluency and Stuttering

Fluency and stuttering are areas of focus in high school speech curriculum for students who struggle with interruptions in their speech flow. This component aims to help students develop strategies to manage and reduce stuttering, improve speech fluency, and enhance overall communication skills.

4. Voice and Resonance

Voice and resonance refer to the quality, pitch, and volume of one’s voice. High school speech curriculum addresses voice disorders and helps students develop healthy vocal habits. It includes activities that promote proper breath support, vocal hygiene, and vocal projection.

5. Pragmatic Language Skills

Pragmatic language skills are essential for effective social communication. High school speech curriculum focuses on developing students’ ability to use language appropriately in different social contexts. It includes activities that target skills such as turn-taking, maintaining eye contact, understanding nonverbal cues, and engaging in conversations.

Benefits of High School Speech Curriculum

Now that we have a better understanding of high school speech curriculum, let’s explore the benefits it offers to students:

1. Academic Benefits

High school speech curriculum provides several academic benefits that can positively impact students’ overall educational experience:

  • Improved communication skills: By developing strong communication skills, students can effectively express their thoughts and ideas, both orally and in writing.
  • Enhanced critical thinking and problem-solving abilities: Speech curriculum encourages students to think critically, analyze information, and present logical arguments.
  • Increased confidence and self-esteem: As students improve their communication skills, they gain confidence in their abilities, which can positively impact their academic performance.

2. Social and Emotional Benefits

High school speech curriculum also offers significant social and emotional benefits:

  • Effective communication in personal relationships: Strong communication skills foster healthy relationships with family, friends, and romantic partners.
  • Improved social interactions and peer relationships: By developing pragmatic language skills, students can navigate social situations more effectively and build positive relationships with their peers.
  • Reduced anxiety and stress related to public speaking: Speech curriculum helps students develop confidence in public speaking, reducing anxiety and stress associated with presentations and public speaking engagements.

Implementing a Comprehensive High School Speech Curriculum

Implementing a comprehensive high school speech curriculum requires collaboration, assessment, and evidence-based practices. Here are some key steps to consider:

A. Collaboration with School Staff and Administrators

Collaboration with school staff and administrators is crucial for successful implementation. Engage in discussions with relevant stakeholders to gain support and ensure alignment with the school’s goals and curriculum.

B. Identifying and Assessing Students’ Speech and Language Needs

Identify students who may benefit from speech curriculum by conducting screenings or assessments. Collaborate with speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to determine students’ specific needs and develop appropriate intervention plans.

C. Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Speech Therapy Goals

For students with identified speech and language needs, develop Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) that outline specific goals and interventions. Collaborate with SLPs to ensure that therapy goals align with the high school speech curriculum.

D. Incorporating Evidence-Based Practices and Strategies

Ensure that the high school speech curriculum incorporates evidence-based practices and strategies. Stay updated with current research and best practices in the field of speech-language pathology to provide students with the most effective interventions.

E. Monitoring Progress and Adjusting Curriculum as Needed

Regularly monitor students’ progress and make adjustments to the curriculum as needed. Collect data, conduct periodic assessments, and collaborate with SLPs to ensure that students are making progress towards their speech and language goals.

Resources and Support for High School Speech Curriculum

Implementing a high school speech curriculum can be made easier with the help of various resources and support systems:

A. Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) and Their Role

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) play a vital role in supporting high school speech curriculum. Collaborate with SLPs to assess students, develop intervention plans, and provide ongoing support and guidance.

B. Professional Organizations and Associations

Professional organizations and associations, such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), provide valuable resources, research, and professional development opportunities for educators and SLPs. Explore their websites and publications for guidance and support.

C. Online Resources and Educational Websites

There are numerous online resources and educational websites that offer materials, activities, and lesson plans for high school speech curriculum. Websites like EverydaySpeech provide comprehensive speech and language resources that can be integrated into the curriculum.

D. Parent Involvement and Support

Involve parents in the high school speech curriculum by providing them with information, resources, and strategies to support their child’s speech and language development at home. Encourage open communication and collaboration between parents, educators, and SLPs.

High school speech curriculum plays a vital role in developing students’ communication skills, boosting academic performance, and enhancing social and emotional well-being. By prioritizing speech education, we can empower students to become effective communicators and confident individuals. I encourage you to explore and implement a comprehensive high school speech curriculum to unlock the full potential of your students.

Start your EverydaySpeech free trial today and access a wide range of resources and materials to support your high school speech curriculum. Together, let’s make speech education a priority!

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speech communication skills class

El Paso Community College

Speech Communication

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Oral and written communication skills are an integral element in academic, professional, technical, and personal/social facets of one’s life. Coursework in Speech Communication is intended to provide students with heightened self-awareness; dynamic presentational, persuasive, and interpersonal skills which promote career attainment; techniques which develop and enrich personal relationships; enhanced ability to apply critical-thinking and performance skills; increased technical proficiency; and a sensitivity toward multiculturalism.

Department/Office Title

El Paso Community College 12345 Some Street Dr. El Paso, TX 79999

[email protected]

915-831-3722

Pearce Center for Professional Communication

Pearce Center for Professional Communication

Clemson University

Four Benefits of Taking a Communication Course

speech communication skills class

When faced with the daunting duty of giving a speech, scared students begin to beg for snakes, heights, and germs instead of standing in front of their peers and presenting. A required course for undergraduates at many universities – including Clemson – public speaking is seen as a terrifying task to many. However, the majority of college students are unaware of the benefits that a communication course provides – regardless of any prior experience and major.

1. Power of Persuasion

Whether you are an engineer or an economics major – you will be required at some point to convince, control, and motivate others to change their beliefs, intentions, and attitudes. These skills can be sharpened when taking a communications course, because they typically include a unit about persuasive speeches. It is in these classes where you will learn important factors for effective persuasion – such as body language, establishing your ethos , and appealing to the audience. Being able to sway people’s mindsets will lead to great successes in both professional and personal aspects of your life – from a big business deal going your way to something as simple as persuading someone to grab you a coffee before class.

2. Ability to Inform

Another essential speaking skill taught in college-level communication courses is the ability to present informative speeches. Learning how to effectively communicate knowledge without information gaps to an audience will benefit you in all aspects of life – your relationships, extracurriculars, and especially your career. Without these skills, your hefty tuition bill and countless all-nighters are useless if you are unable to communicate the information you spent so much time learning. The decade spent studying to become a doctor serves no purpose if you cannot speak to a patient or a fellow nurse. Frustration may occur if you are unable to efficiently explain the new operating system to your coworkers. Being an organized, credible and capable speaker is incredibly important in all disciplines, and a public speaking class can assist in building a strong speaking foundation.

3. Listening

While speaking is an integral part of communication courses, the time spent seated and not standing in front of students is just as significant. Public speaking courses offer valuable lessons on listening that can carry you far in any career. Listening, and not just hearing, will lead you to better understand others and their expectations for you. Many professionals would consider listening a paramount strength to have before entering the workforce. It will also make you a better presenter because of your experience seated, in front of the podium. Having the ability to analyze your audience to appropriately adjust your message, tone, and delivery will transform you from a good speaker to an excellent one.

4. Confidence Booster

Regardless of your prior public speaking experience or major, there is no better feeling than knowing you just crushed a speech – in or out of the classroom. It is no secret speeches are tough and getting a great grade on one can be a needed boost to your self-confidence. With a few speeches under your belt, you will soon be feeling better about your creativity, writing, and speaking skills.

Before you panic, groan, or drop the class – consider the benefits of taking a public speaking course. In a mere semester, you will learn a new skill to carry with you in your relationships, internships, and future careers. College students can unknowingly close themselves off in major-specific courses and choosing to enroll in a communication class can lead to new friends, opinions, and attitudes that may alter your academic experience forever. So, choose to diversify and dare to register for a public speaking course – you never know how far it will take you!

jenna-poropatich

Written By: Jenna Poropatich 9/20/2018

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Communication Sciences and Disorders

Us news & world report ranks iowa audiology, speech-language pathology among the top in the nation.

Two UIowa programs in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders (CSD) are once again recognized among the best in their field according to the U.S. News & World Report Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2024 .  

Iowa’s audiology program is again ranked second best in the nation and remains the top public institution training audiologists. The speech-language pathology program climbed in the rankings to fifth and is now the third-ranked public institution. CSD is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.   

New rankings of nation-wide  Audiology and  Speech-Language Pathology graduate programs is available on the USNWR website.

“We are focused on training outstanding audiologists and speech-language pathologists,” said Eric Hunter , DEO and Harriet B. and Harold S. Brady Chair in Liberal Arts and Sciences. “These rankings recognize the daily efforts of our remarkable faculty and staff, who consistently strive to provide exceptional education to our students.”  

“Together, we are shaping the future of audiology and speech-language pathology, and we will continue to lead the way in delivering excellence,” Hunter added.  

Hunter, who has been at Iowa since August 2023 and is a nationally recognized expert in the field, was the first hire under the University of Iowa’s Transformational Faculty Hiring Program, which is aimed at attracting world-class faculty to strategic programs and areas of excellence. He received a PhD from Iowa’s Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders program in 2001.  

Iowa has long been a leader in communication sciences and disorders dating back to 1897, when the university, led by Carl Seashore’s pioneering work, developed speech pathology as a discipline of study.  

“CLAS is proud of our faculty and staff who continue to guide this storied program into the future,” said Dean Sara Sanders. “Because of their tremendous talent and dedication to their research and teaching, CSD continues to be at the forefront of audiology and speech-language pathology.”   

The university, college, and department continue to lead, ensuring students access to unparalleled opportunities. Construction has started on a new $249 million building that will provide a state-of-the-art learning space for Iowa students studying in the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Department of Health and Human Physiology, and the Carver College of Medicine’s Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science.  

Substantial completion of the building is anticipated in 2025.  

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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  21. US News & World Report ranks Iowa audiology, speech-language pathology

    The speech-language pathology program climbed in the rankings to fifth and is now the third-ranked public institution. CSD is housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. ... which is aimed at attracting world-class faculty to strategic programs and areas of excellence. He received a PhD from Iowa's Department of Communication Sciences ...