Communicate with clarity to thrive in the public sector.
This micro-credential course provides students with knowledge and practice in plain language communication. It focuses on learning to communicate in a clear, simple, and user-focused manner for a public sector setting. The goal of this course is to offer students the opportunity to develop a skill often sought after by public sector employers and valuable for work within such institutions.\
Course Details
Format: Online
Duration: 12 hours
Start Date:
- September 10 - November 30, 2026
- January 4- July 24, 2027
Cost: $195
Available Discounts
- Free for current Trent undergraduate students. Contact microcredential@trentu.ca for details.
- Trent University alumni receive a 10% discount. Contact alumni@trentu.ca for details.
Only one discount may be applied per registration.
Credential Earned: Digital Badge
Registration
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Note for Trent University Staff
Permanent OPSEU employees at Trent University are now eligible for tuition waivers for Trent University micro-credential courses. Please do not register or pay through this page. Visit Support → Human Resources / Payroll / Waivers → Micro-Credential - Staff for waiver and registration instructions.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this micro-credential, participants will be able to:
- Define plain language and explain its importance in public sector communication.
- Apply a structured process to plan, write, review, and improve plain language communications.
- Use plain language principles to create clear, concise, organized, and inclusive content.
- Identify and evaluate effective plain language practices in a variety of public sector documents.
- Develop and revise communications to meet the needs of specific audiences, purposes, and contexts.
- Demonstrate proficiency in creating plain language communications through practical assessment activities.
Course Modules
Module 1: What is Plain Language?
Module 2: Plain Language Processes
Module 3: Plain Language Practices
Module 4: Plain Language Examples
Module 5: Recap & Assessment
Assessment Requirements
To earn this micro-credential, participants must:
- Complete Modules 1-4, including content videos, learning resources, and interactive activities.
- Achieve a passing grade of 80% or higher on all module quizzes.
- Successfully complete the Module 5 final assessment.
Tax Receipt Information
Students may be eligible to receive a T2202 Tuition and Enrolment Certificate if their micro-credential meets Canada Revenue Agency requirements.
To qualify, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be enrolled in a qualifying educational program that provides at least 12 hours of instruction within a calendar month.
- Pay a minimum course fee of $150.
- Not receive a grant, reimbursement, benefit, or allowance for the program from an arm’s length party that would make the program ineligible under CRA guidelines.
Earn a Digital Badge
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a verified digital badge that can be shared on LinkedIn, resumes, portfolios, and professional profiles.
Conclusion
Students will leave this course with the knowledge of how to communicate in a clear, simple, and user-focused manner for a public sector setting.