Will I earn university credit for completing the Specialization?

No, this specialization does not offer university credit.

Is this course really 100% online? Do I need to attend any classes in person?

This course is completely online, so there’s no need to show up to a classroom in person. You can access your lectures, readings and assignments anytime and anywhere via the web or your mobile device.

Can I just enroll in a single course?

Yes! To get started, click the course card that interests you and enroll. You can enroll and complete the course to earn a shareable certificate. When you subscribe to a course that is part of a Specialization, you’re automatically subscribed to the full Specialization. Visit your learner dashboard to track your progress.

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.

Can I take the course for free?

No, you cannot take this course for free. 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. If you cannot afford the fee, you can apply for financial aid.

Accelerate: Professional Development with an Advanced Degree Specialization

Accelerate: Professional Development with an Advanced Degree Specialization

Take Control of Your Professional Development. Learn strategic planning, networking, communication, and more

Instructor: UMN Graduate School Academic & Professional Development

Included with Coursera Plus

Learn more

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 5 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Earn a Certificate

With paid plans

4 course series

Get in-depth knowledge of a subject

Beginner level

Recommended experience

4 weeks to complete

at 5 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

Earn a Certificate

With paid plans

What you'll learn

Create a strategic Individual Development Plan (IDP) to align your skills, goals, and values.
Identify and communicate your transferable skills for academic and non-academic career paths.
Build meaningful professional connections and communicate effectively with diverse audiences.

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

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Advance your subject-matter expertise

Learn in-demand skills from university and industry experts
Master a subject or tool with hands-on projects
Develop a deep understanding of key concepts
Earn a career certificate from University of Minnesota

Specialization - 4 course series

This specialization helps graduate students, postdocs, and advanced degree holders take a strategic approach to professional development and career planning. Through four focused courses—on Individual Development Plans (IDPs), transferable skills, networking, and communicating with diverse audiences—you’ll build the mindset and tools needed to grow your career with purpose. Whether you’re pursuing academia, industry, or something in between, you’ll gain the confidence and clarity to navigate your next steps.

Applied Learning Project

Learners will complete practical projects such as creating a personalized Individual Development Plan (IDP), mapping transferable skills to career goals, crafting effective networking messages, and developing a communication strategy tailored to diverse audiences. These hands-on activities help learners apply what they’ve learned to real-world career planning and professional scenarios.

Individual Development Plan (IDP)

Course 18 hours

What you'll learn

Unlock your professional potential with our comprehensive course on mastering the Individual Development Plan (IDP). This course offers a structured approach to cultivating academic and professional success while building a robust support network. You will learn the importance of strategic planning in navigating professional opportunities and use the IDP as a dynamic tool for self-assessment, competency development, and goal-setting. Key topics include:

Planning for Success: Understanding how to set clear expectations and navigate academic or professional opportunities. IDP Framework: Assessing competencies, setting professional development goals, and effectively communicating strategies to potential mentors. Self-Assessment: Identifying and developing transferable skills to prepare for the job market. Writing the IDP: Crafting a comprehensive plan that includes focus areas, long and short-term goals, strategies, steps, timelines, and resources. Implementing the IDP: Seeking feedback, revising content, and maintaining accountability through regular mentor meetings.

Skills you'll gain

Goal Setting, Accountability, Strategic Thinking, Constructive Feedback, Timelines, Professional Development, Personal Development, Self-Awareness, Mentorship, Action Oriented, Planning, Time Management, Smart Goals, Adaptability, and Strategic Planning

Identifying Transferable Skills

Course 28 hours

What you'll learn

This course introduces graduate students, postdocs, and advanced degree holders to the concept of transferable skills—versatile abilities that are valuable across a wide range of careers. Through four focused modules, learners will explore what transferable skills are and gain a foundational understanding of three essential skill areas: cross-cultural communication, project management, and leadership. Each module offers practical examples, self-reflection opportunities, and curated resources to help learners begin developing these skills and recognize their relevance in both academic and professional settings.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to: Define transferable skills and explain their relevance across career paths. Identify key components of cross-cultural communication and explore strategies for strengthening this skill. Recognize the basic principles of project management and assess opportunities to apply them in academic or professional work. Describe core concepts of leadership and identify ways to begin building leadership experience.

Skills you'll gain

Leadership, Project Management, Intercultural Competence, Professional Development, Goal Setting, Cultural Diversity, Emotional Intelligence, Personal Development, Collaboration, Adaptability, Self-Awareness, and Communication Strategies

Networking

Course 36 hours

What you'll learn

Understand the importance of networking in academic and career growth.
Learn strategies for building and maintaining a professional network tailored to your academic and career goals.
Create a personal networking plan that aligns with your academic and professional goals.

Skills you'll gain

Stress Management, Relationship Building, General Networking, Professional Networking, Interviewing Skills, Public Speaking, Communication Strategies, Communication, Smart Goals, Verbal Communication Skills, Emotional Intelligence, Professional Development, and Rapport Building

Communicating to Diverse Audiences

Course 46 hours

What you'll learn

In today’s interconnected world, the ability to communicate effectively across differences is an essential skill. This course introduces strategies for engaging diverse audiences with clarity, empathy, and impact. Through focused modules on the power of storytelling and presentation skills, learners will develop practical tools to craft compelling messages that resonate across a range of backgrounds and settings.

Skills you'll gain

Communication Strategies, Communication, Persuasive Communication, Public Speaking, Verbal Communication Skills, Non-Verbal Communication, Empathy, Storytelling, Cultural Diversity, and Diversity Awareness

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

UMN Graduate School Academic & Professional Development

University of Minnesota

4 Courses1,180 learners

Offered by

University of Minnesota

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Frequently asked questions

We recommend that you take one week to complete each course, so it would take a month to complete this Specialization at a comfortable pace.

This specialization is designed for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and advanced degree holders across disciplines. No prior knowledge of career development frameworks is required—just a desire to take a strategic approach to your professional growth.

We recommend starting with the Individual Development Plan (IDP) course, as it provides a foundation for the rest of the specialization. However, the other courses can be taken in any order based on your interests and goals.

Upon completing this specialization, you'll be able to develop and implement a strategic career plan, identify and communicate your transferable skills, build professional networks with confidence, and tailor your communication to effectively reach diverse audiences. You'll be equipped with the tools and mindset to navigate your career path with clarity and purpose.

Accelerate: Professional Development with an Advanced Degree Specialization

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

Details to know

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Advance your subject-matter expertise