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University of Melbourne

  • 37% international / 63% domestic

Persuasion for Policymakers - micro-credential

  • Non-Award

Understand how to persuade and influence government decision-makers and stakeholders. This micro-credential equips professionals with skills in social psychology, communication, and rhetoric to craft persuasive communication effectively.

Key details

Degree Type
Non-Award
Duration
6 - 6 weeks full-time
Study Mode
Online
International Fees
$1,990 per year

About this course

Persuasion for Policymakers

Understand how to persuade and influence government decision-makers and stakeholders.

The ability to persuade and influence is an essential skill for policymakers and public managers. Whether it's presenting advice to a senior decision-maker, influencing a group in a meeting or convincing colleagues to support an initiative, the ability to persuade is pivotal to effective public leadership.

This micro-credential will arm you with the skills you need to persuade and communicate effectively. You will be introduced to the latest thinking in the fields of social psychology, communication, and the art of rhetoric.

It is ideal for professionals working in or with governments, including NGO's, who are seeking a greater understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical strategies needed to craft persuasive communication.

Entry requirements

There are no formal eligibility requirements to enrol in this course, but it is recommended you have either an undergraduate degree or at least three years of professional experience in a relevant field (such as policy design/development, program implementation, management, evaluation, or corporate services).

Study locations

Online

What you will learn

What you will learn

Gain contemporary skills and knowledge for your job now.

The ability to persuade and influence is an essential skill for policymakers and public managers. Whether it's presenting advice to a senior decision-maker, influencing a group in a meeting or convincing colleagues to support an initiative, the ability to persuade is pivotal to effective public leadership.

This micro-credential will arm you with the skills you need to persuade and communicate effectively. You will be introduced to the latest thinking in the fields of social psychology, communication, and the art of rhetoric.

It is ideal for professionals working in or with governments, including NGO's, who are seeking a greater understanding of the theoretical concepts and practical strategies needed to craft persuasive communication.

Explore the foundations of persuasion and examine critical skills needed for effective communication

Study core elements of the communication process, including storytelling, and learn to apply 'sticky principles' to your work to effectively communicate your ideas.

Gain tools to better understand the art of rhetoric

Analyse classic rhetorical frameworks and explore their relevance to contemporary policymaking and public management. Assess and compare case studies that demonstrate effective use of rhetorical techniques.

Examine how power, influence, and authority shape decision making in government

Compare and contrast power and influence, and use established theoretical models such as the six sources of influence to build rapport and trust. Examine the seven bases of power to unpack how personal power differs from positional power.

Understand the importance of narrative and storytelling to governance

Draw on key concepts, including the pyramid principle, to structure arguments and write persuasive public policy stories. Learn to develop narrative storyboards that will help you plan your communication techniques.

Analyse and present a real-world example of persuasion in public policy

Use the techniques you've learned in this course to present an example of persuasion in public policy or government. You'll deliver a thoughtful analysis that demonstrates a strong understanding of the art of persuasion.

Course structure

Here's what Persuasion for Policymakers will cover.
  • Week 1: An introduction to persuasion
  • Week 2: The art of rhetoric
  • Week 3: Power and influence
  • Week 4: Storytelling in government

2 assessment tasks (due in week 2 and week 6) Your total time commitment will be approximately 42 hours.

Persuasion for Policymakers can be taken as a stand-alone course or complemented with any other micro-credential in The Craft of Government series to deepen your knowledge and skills.

The series includes:

  • Government Budget Essentials
  • Good Governance: Navigating Law for Public Managers.