Pathway Program

International Business

Essential Skills

The Essential Skills Pathway Program teaches critical skills in communication, leadership, problem solving, and more. Successful graduates will emerge better equipped to navigate organizations effectively, work cross-functionally across teams, and make data-driven decisions.

Next start date: July 1

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In high-performing cultures, skills set you apart


Regardless of the career you’re in—or the one you’re looking to pursue—the skills employers demand are nearly universal. The Essential Skills Pathway Program is designed for learners who want to be more effective—and have a greater impact--within their organizations. Whether in the public or private sectors, or at small start-ups or large multi-national corporations, learners gain the skills to:

Communicate across teams, countries, and cultures

Sell ideas and suggestions effectively

Understand, diagnose, and respond to problems and challenges

Analyze data to make data-driven decisions

Communicate effectively with company leadership

Program Courses

The Essential Skills Pathway Program consists of five (5) individual courses. Learners who successfully complete the program will receive a Certificate of Completion.

  • Professional Communication

    Professional Communication places an emphasis on communication styles and approaches in today's workplace to include digital, verbal and nonverbal communication. The course focuses on the evaluation of case analysis and discussion and on practical business and professional communication skills, including writing, speaking, and listening. Emphasis is on clarity, organization, format, appropriate language, and consideration of audience, for both written and oral communication.

    You’ll engage in self-assessment of communicative competence and learn strategies for enhancing their skills. The course explores how technology and other tools are integrated into communications within a professional setting and students will be able to identify appropriate and inappropriate professional communications.

  • Data Analytics

    Advances in data collection, machine learning, and computational power have fueled institutional progress. The volume of available data has grown exponentially, and algorithms have continued to advance along with greater computational power and storage. As organizations become more inundated with data, having systems and processes in place to better understand and interpret data is highly important. This course focuses on how organizations can identify, evaluate and use data effectively. As consumers become increasingly savvy with their use of data, organizations need to change their responses. The use of data for all types of business from a large organization to a small retail shop will continue to become more sophisticated. This course provides an understanding of the data analysis process. Learners examine how technology has improved the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data, and they investigate data analysis tools and technologies to improve the decision making process.

  • Intercultural Communication

    Intercultural Communication exposes learners to the principles of intercultural communication to advance their efforts to understand and attribute meaning to communicative behaviors among different cultures and social groups.

    Learners study communication and culture, intercultural messages, the role of context in intercultural communication, the impact of culture on one’s identity, and communication style. Learners master the practical skills necessary to improve one’s intercultural communication competence in an international world.

  • Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

    Problem Solving and Critical Thinking considers how most successful professionals of the 21st century will be able to assess an environment, analyze a situation, design alternative solutions, and assist organizations in creatively overcoming challenges and reaching strategic goals.

    This course focuses on the development of reasoning and problem solving skills by using the scientific method to analyze case studies and controversial topics. Learners consider cultural differences in reasoning, inductive and deductive logic, and how to use positive inquiry and synthesis to solve individual and organizational problems. Emphasis is placed on successful models and proven methods that are transferable within the work environment.

  • Business Communication for Leaders and Managers

    In the Business Communication for Leaders and Managers course, learners will expand their capacity to direct, inspire, and empower teams through effective communication. By adapting communication styles, leaders and managers are able to create dynamic environments that influence collaboration, engagement, and productivity across departments and teams.

FACT:

Soft skills make a hard impact

According to McKinsey, the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the need to develop employees’ soft skills, with the proportion of companies focused on improving interpersonal skills doubling from 2019 to 2020.

Source: McKinsey & Co.

Meet Elijah McQueen

Elijah is pursuing an education at Nexford University and earning his BBA remotely in New Zealand; he is learning new skills to implement in his business to be more successful with branding, legal and financial decisions, and budget planning.

Elijah says that Nexford is already giving him a great ROI!

Admissions Requirements

The admissions requirements for the Essential Skills Pathway Program are:

Age 18 or older

Proof of possession of a high school diploma or equivalent

Appropriate device with stable internet connection (view requirements)

*Note: The Essential Skills Pathway Program has separate admissions requirements from the BBA program. If you apply for, and enroll into, the BBA program, 80% of the credits earned in the Essential Skills Pathway Program will transfer into the BBA program.

Tuition & Duration

Monthly tuition

With our Essential Skills pathway program, you'll pay tuition monthly at a cost of . So the faster you finish, the more money you’ll save.

Complete in as little as 6 months

The Essential Skills Pathway Program can be completed in as little as 6 months. Learners should expect to spend approximately 18 hours/week watching lectures and completing course content.

It's 100% online

Study 100% online and prepare for the future today.

A pathway to a new future… or, a Nexford BBA

Global brands employ the thousands of learners making up the Nexford community, and the Essential Skills Pathway Program enables you to have a greater impact at companies just like these.

Want to pursue your BBA degree? Learners who complete the Essential Skills Pathway Program can transfer 80% of credits earned into the BBA program, contingent upon meeting the requirements for admission into the BBA program.

Note: The Essential Skills Pathway Program and BBA degree have separate admissions requirements. See Admissions Requirements for additional information.

Ready to take the next step in your career?

Take the next step to get started in the Essential Skills Pathway Program from Nexford University.