Communication Micro-Credential Course

Build the skills to communicate clearly, support understanding, and promote health literacy across every interaction.

Communication is a 9-module, self-paced course that addresses the use of plain language principles into any form of communication. The Communication course also includes assessing materials to see if they are understandable, actionable, and usable, and assessing key characteristics of the communication’s intended audience. It also covers best practices, such as working with subject matter experts and eliciting end-user feedback in an iterative process to improve communication (9 CECHs).

This course is part of IHA’s Health Literacy Specialist Certificate Program, but is available to complete individually to develop specific skill sets. Group discounts available for teams of 5 or more (tiered pricing based on number of participants), please use the team enrollment form for a custom quote.

Why This Course Matters

Clear communication is one of the strongest predictors of positive health outcomes. Whether you’re writing materials, speaking with patients, educating consumers, or designing digital content, your ability to simplify, clarify, and tailor information directly impacts understanding and decision-making. This course equips you with practical, evidence-based communication strategies that you can immediately apply in clinical, community, or public-facing settings.

What You’ll Be Able to Do

After completing this course, you’ll know how to:

  • Apply plain language techniques to written and verbal communication
  • Design print and digital materials that are visually clear and easy to navigate
  • Identify audience needs, interests, literacy levels, and communication barriers
  • Use assessment tools (PEMAT, SAM, CCI) to evaluate and improve materials
  • Recognize red flags for limited fundamental literacy
  • Engage subject matter experts effectively when developing health materials
  • Use the “teach-back” method to confirm understanding and support safer care

How to Enroll

Standard Price: $360

Current Online Price: $210 with discount code WBCM424

Enroll today for $210 and save $150 (41%) from the regular program price of $360. Use the following code at checkout: WBCM424.

Enroll Today! Enroll Your Team!

What’s Inside the Curriculum

Note: This course takes approximately 9 hours to complete.

Learn about 3 plain language techniques providers can use to enhance clear and effective conversations about health information.

Explore the importance of plain language, 3 reasons audiences need it, 4 writing techniques, and essential grammar and punctuation rules.

Learn 4 typography principles, differences between serif and sans serif typefaces, 4 layout principles, rules for bulleted lists, 2 imagery principles, and how to choose visuals that align with captions.

Discover how to identify the primary audience, understand their needs and interests, and apply that knowledge to written and verbal communication.

Understand fundamental literacy, universal precautions, 7 red flags for limited literacy, and 5 provider actions when red flags appear.

Learn how to engage SMEs and collaborate effectively as you develop plain language materials.

Explore three free assessment tools, what they measure, how to use them, and how to interpret sample score reports.

Learn the benefits and limits of readability formulas, which tools are most accurate, how to use readability scores, and how to improve your text based on the results.

Learn what teach-back is, how to use it, strategies and tools to support it, and how to make teach-back part of organizational practice.

Learning Objectives

  1. Communicate clearly using plain language in every format.
  2. Tailor communication to the needs of your primary audience.
  3. Strengthen understanding through evidence-based assessment and teach-back.

Earn Continuing Education Credits and a Digital Badge

9 Continuing Education Credits in the following categories:

  • CHES/MCHES (Category 1 Continuing Education Contact Hours) from NCHEC, Provider #101864
  • California Nurses CEs from The California Board of Registered Nursing, CEP# 11933
  • CPH Recertification Credits from National Board of Public Health Examiners’

Digital Badge

Upon completion, you’ll earn a Communication digital badge—see FAQ About Digital Badges for complete info.

Take the next step in improving understanding, supporting safer care, and communicating clearly across all forms of health information.

For technical product or payment help, please use this online support form