When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
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There are 3 modules in this course
By the end of this course, you will be able to: prepare strategically for negotiations, communicate with influence, recognize and use power dynamics, and apply collaborative techniques to reach durable agreements in real-world situations.
This course equips you with practical tools to negotiate confidently and ethically across professional and personal contexts. You’ll learn how to clarify goals, limits, and alternatives, uncover underlying interests, and understand how assumptions, emotions, and perceptions shape outcomes. You’ll also distinguish between different negotiation approaches and know when to apply each effectively.
You’ll develop high-impact questioning and listening skills, read verbal and nonverbal signals, and identify sources of leverage. Emotional awareness will help you build trust, manage tension, and strengthen your influence in any negotiation.
Through realistic scenarios, you’ll practice collaborative problem-solving, navigate conflict and resistance, and adapt your approach to complex, high-stakes situations. What makes this course unique is its focus on both strategy and human dynamics—combining clear frameworks with immediately usable skills—so you don’t just negotiate more often, you negotiate better.
Foundational concepts shape how negotiations unfold long before a conversation begins. In this module, learners explore key negotiation approaches, including distributive and integrative strategies, while learning to distinguish between interests and positions. Psychological factors that influence negotiation behavior are introduced alongside practical preparation techniques, helping learners define goals, priorities, limits, and alternatives with confidence.
What's included
5 videos1 reading3 assignments1 plugin
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 16 minutes
Welcome & Introduction•1 minute
What Counts as a Negotiation•4 minutes
Dividing vs. Creating Value•4 minutes
Requests, Reasons, and What’s Really Driving People•3 minutes
Preparing with Goals, Options, and Walk-Away Points•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 18 minutes
Key Negotiation Concepts and Distinctions•18 minutes
3 assignments•Total 105 minutes
Ungraded Knowledge Check•30 minutes
Identifying Negotiation Moments•30 minutes
Graded Quiz •45 minutes
1 plugin•Total 8 minutes
Understanding Needs in Negotiation (TED Talk)•8 minutes
Communication, Power, and Influence
Module 2•2 hours to complete
Module details
Effective negotiation depends on how ideas are communicated and relationships are managed. This module focuses on strategic questioning, active listening, and awareness of verbal and nonverbal signals that influence outcomes. Learners also examine sources of power and ethical influence, along with emotional intelligence strategies that help build trust, manage tension, and maintain rapport.
What's included
4 videos1 reading3 assignments
Show info about module content
4 videos•Total 15 minutes
Asking Better Questions and Listening for What Matters•4 minutes
What People Say vs. What They Signal•4 minutes
Where Power Comes From in Negotiation•4 minutes
Trust, Emotion, and Influence•3 minutes
1 reading•Total 20 minutes
Key communication behaviors that support productive negotiation•20 minutes
3 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Ungraded Knowledge Check•30 minutes
Reframing Communication Under Pressure•30 minutes
Graded Quiz •30 minutes
Applying Negotiation in Real-World Scenarios
Module 3•2 hours to complete
Module details
Real-world negotiations often involve uncertainty, resistance, and competing pressures. In this module, learners apply collaborative problem-solving strategies to move conversations forward, navigate conflict and impasse, and adapt their approach to complex situations. Challenging contexts, including difficult personalities, cross-cultural interactions, and virtual negotiations, are explored to support confident, flexible application of negotiation skills.
What's included
5 videos1 reading2 assignments
Show info about module content
5 videos•Total 19 minutes
From Positions to Problems•5 minutes
Momentum, Resistance, and Stalled Conversations•3 minutes
Adapting Across Contexts•5 minutes
Responsive, Not Rigid•4 minutes
Course Conclusion & Congratulations•2 minutes
1 reading•Total 17 minutes
Practical strategies for moving negotiations forward when progress stalls•17 minutes
2 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Ungraded Knowledge Check•30 minutes
Graded Quiz •30 minutes
Earn a career certificate
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At Minnesota State University, Mankato, we believe in big ideas paired with real-world thinking and practice. We ignite a passion for lifelong learning by making academic excellence accessible to all. Our programs empower learners to thrive throughout their life’s journey.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.