# Communication & Connection Course Online Canonical URL: ## Overview In this course, you’ll learn how to build connections, make requests, engage in conflict management, and negotiate effectively. Focus on developing Emotional Intelligence and enhancing communication skills with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in mind. You’ll also learn the art of public speaking and how to use body language to communicate more effectively. This course is designed to strengthen your ability to solve problems, collaborate in teams, and lead with confidence. With group discussions and interactive forums, you’ll engage with instructors and classmates to refine these essential, often overlooked skills. ## Instructors ### Matt Morris — Instructor Matt Morris is a registered professional engineer and has extensive experience in many aspects of the engineering and construction industry. He holds a BS and MS in Civil Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder. In his roles as a civil engineering officer in the U.S. Air Force and a project manager for a major commercial general contractor, Matt has led over 160 projects totaling over $1 billion. As a professor at the United States Military Academy at West Point, the University of Colorado Boulder and Colorado School of Mines, Matt has taught over 2,000 students through 16 different university courses in addition to thousands of students online. Matt’s experience spans across many markets, including federal government, public works, healthcare, higher education, hospitality, manufacturing, laboratory, pharmaceutical, corporate, heavy civil and water conveyance. Additionally, Matt’s varied roles have enabled him to manage every phase of a project as an owner, contractor and designer. Matt is currently a Senior Instructor in the Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. ### David Nguyen — Instructor David is the AEC Software Specialist at VDCI, with a Bachelor of Science in Construction Management and an Associate’s degree of science in Drafting and General Design from ITT Technical Institute. A San Diego native with over 12 years working in the Design Industry and construction industry, David brings his construction and design expertise to help all students achieve their goals in the field. Outside of his professional life, David loves attending concerts, festivals, playing his guitar and restoring and repairing all types of vehicles. **Credentials:** - OSHA 30 hr. Construction Safety Certified - Construction Software: SketchUp, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Suite (AutoCAD, Fusion, Revit) - Mechanical Software: PTC Creo Parametric, SOLIDWORKS, Mastercam ### Matt F. — Instructor Matt F. is a well-rounded construction professional with a diverse background of construction industry experience. Matt has strong experience working on major commercial and residential construction projects, overseeing projects from pre-construction through to closeout. He also has a deep knowledge of the construction technology space, having hands-on experience with many of the major players in the construction technology landscape. Matt loves sharing his industry knowledge with others and continuing to learn about the newest trends in construction technology. ### Robert McElreavey — Instructor Robert McElreavey has been a master plumber since 2000 in the states of Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Vermont, with 40 years of experience in the construction industry. He began learning the trade in high school at a vocational technical school in Broomall, PA, working as an apprentice from age 16, passing his Journeyman's test at 21 to become a Jobsite Foreman, and focusing on the design and efficient construction of plumbing systems. He moved to Colorado in 1994 to expand his knowledge, building large commercial buildings and condominiums at ski resorts, and in 2004 ventured out as a plumbing contractor building plumbing, heating, and in-floor radiant systems for large custom homes. Robert has also dedicated much of his career to education, teaching plumbing, carpentry, and electrical to apprentices, high school students, and adult learners, working as a plumbing instructor and adjunct professor assisting students with concurrent community college enrollment. Over his career he has built over 75 large commercial buildings, completed over 200 single family homes, and set 15,000 plumbing fixtures in over 7,500 condominiums, and has worked in roles ranging from training management to plumbing service estimator for commercial and industrial clients. He now works as a consultant for a construction company, providing design and installation guidelines for contractors, and remains passionate about passing on what he has learned to help others achieve their goals in the plumbing field. **Credentials:** - Master Plumber (Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Vermont) - CTE License (Career and Technical Education) - HBI (Home Builders Institute) Certification - NCCER Certified Instructor (Colorado) ## FAQ ### Who is the target audience for this course? Individuals seeking to enhance their communication and interpersonal skills, including: Construction professionals, engineers, and architects aiming to improve team collaboration, client interactions, and leadership effectiveness Students and recent graduates preparing for careers in architecture, engineering, or construction, looking to strengthen their soft skills Career changers transitioning into the AEC industry who want to build confidence in public speaking, negotiation, and conflict resolution Project managers and team leads seeking to foster inclusive communication and emotional intelligence within diverse teams ### Is this course open to beginners? Yes, this course is open to beginners. Students must be comfortable using a computer. No other prior knowledge is required. ### Do you offer payment plans or student financing for this course? This course does not qualify for payment plans or student financing. See our Payment Options FAQ to find related programs that qualify. ### How long is this course? This course is 10 clock hours. Clock hours is the total estimated course time including watching the course videos and completing the projects. The time varies by student. Assuming that you work approximately 10 hours per week, you will complete this course in about 3 weeks. ### How long do I have access to the course materials? This course is available for 30 days. You can choose when to start your access period. Once you activate, you will have 30 days to complete it (access the course materials, quizzes, projects and videos). You may request one extension of seven (7) days. Other extension requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Videos are not downloadable. ### What is the cancellation and refund policy for this single course? For this course, you are entitled to a 90% refund (your payment less the nonrefundable 10% registration fee) within 30 days of purchase if you have not accessed the course materials. ### What’s included with my tuition? A hands-on learning experience working on projects and exercises, which is proven to boost comprehension, retention, and engagement Expert instructors who are industry professionals and experienced educators that are driven to help you succeed Extensive video training resources to support your learning journey Expert support with answers to your questions from real instructors throughout your learning journey Top-notch curricula that have been tried and tested over many years and are consistently improved for an optimal learning experience A certificate of completion to verify your accomplishment The confidence of learning at an accredited institution Assessment tools including quizzes to reinforce your learning and track your progress ### Are there any additional fees or expenses? There are no extra fees or taxes for our courses. The price you see on this page is the maximum you’ll pay us. However, you may need to obtain required software. We’ll help you get set up with a free trial of paid software prior to the class. Most of our coding classes utilize freely-available open-source software. For most of our design and motion graphics courses, we will help you get set up with a free trial of Adobe Creative Cloud. If you attend the course in-person, we will have a computer already set up for you with all of the required software for no additional cost. ### Do you offer any discounts for this course? Take this course as part of a certificate program and save: Construction Management Course Online Price: $1,499 | Hours: 180 Hours Construction Professional Course Online Price: $2,399 | Hours: 250 Hours Construction Soft Skills Course Online Price: $599 | Hours: 30 Hours OAD: Associate of Applied Science in Drafting and Design Price: $9,999 | Hours: 1170 Hours Construction Management Certification Course Online Price: $2,999 | Hours: 330 Hours ## Pricing **Tuition:** $329