Supervision Essentials

Employee retention and engagement are key to successful companies. The Supervision Essentials program, developed by a faculty team with both academic and managerial experience, is designed for first-level supervisors, managers new to supervising others, and/or individuals likely to move into a supervision role. The program features four courses; each course consists of four half-day modules (for a total of 16 modules). All classes are instructor-led and held virtually, using Zoom video conferencing technology. This program is being held in partnership with Penn State Wilkes-Barre campus. Feel free to take just one course, or earn the Penn State Non-Credit Supervision Essentials certificate by completing all four!

Please call or email the Continuing Education Department for additional information.

Scroll down or click on the course titles below for course descriptions:

  • MDEV 6000: Supervisor Roles & Responsibilities 
  • MDEV 6001: Managing Employee Performance
  • MDEV 6002: Solving Problems and Managing Priorities

  • MDEV 6010: Developing Individuals and Team
     

    MDEV 6000: Supervisor Roles & Responsibilities 

    Course Content

    Module 1: Meeting Supervisory Responsibilities

  • The Transitions to Supervision

  • Supervisory Roles and Skills
  • Values and Ethics
  • Management Approaches and Styles
     

  • Module 2: Communicating Effectively

  • Interpersonal Communication
  • The Elements of a Message
  • Communication Barriers and Problems
  • Effective Listening
     

  • Module 3: Building Work Relationships

  • Interpersonal Styles
  • High Quality Work Relationships
  • Strengthening Work Relationships
  • Building Trust with Employees
     

  • Module 4: Leading Others

  • Characteristics of Effective Leaders
  • Leadership Focused Areas
  • Providing Excellent Direction
  • Delegating Effectively
     

  • Logistics

    Dates: TBA
    Times: TBA
    Location: Virtual instructor-led training via Zoom videoconferencing
    Cost: $745 per person

    MDEV 6001: Managing Employee Performance

    Course Content

    Module 1: Setting the Stage for Excellent Performance

  • Performance Management
  • What Motivates Employees
  • Supervisor as Performance Manager
  • Expectations for Excellence
     

  • Module 2: Clarifying Expectations and Observing Performance

  • SMART Performance Objectives
  • Setting Standards and Measures
  • Communicating Expectations
  • Observations and Performance Data
     

  • Module 3: Coaching and Providing Feedback

  • Supervisor as Coach
  • Providing Effective Feedback
  • Developing Coaching Skills
  • Planning a Coaching Session
     

  • Module 4: Dealing with Challenging Performance Situations

  • Performance Improvement Sessions
  • Positive Approach to Discipline
  • Planning for Performance Improvement
  • High-Quality Performance Evaluations
     

  • Logistics

    Dates: TBA
    Times: TBA
    Location: Virtual instructor-led training via Zoom videoconferencing
    Cost: $745 per person

    MDEV 6002: Solving Problems and Managing Priorities

    Course Content

    Module 1: Managing Time and Priorities

  • Identifying Priorities
  • Maintaining Focus
  • Dealing with Time Wasters
  • A Goal-Based Approach to Time Management
     

  • Module 2: Solving Problems

  • Problems Faced by Supervisors
  • The Six-Step Problem-Solving Process
  • Tools and Techniques for Solving Problems
  • Applying Tools to Current Problems
     

  • Module 3: Resolving Conflicts

  • Causes and Nature of Interpersonal Conflict
  • Conflict Resolution Styles
  • Planning Positive Resolutions
  • Guidelines for Positive Interactions
     

  • Module 4: Supervising Projects

  • What is a Project?
  • Project Stages and Elements
  • Tools for Project Planning, Coordination and Monitoring
  • Reducing Project-Related Problems
     

  • MDEV 6010: Developing Individuals and Teams

    Course Content

    Module 1: Interviewing and Selecting Employees

  • Behavioral Interviewing
  • Planning the Interview and Developing Questions
  • Conducting Effective Interviews
  • Legal Considerations in Employee Selection
     

  • Module 2: Developing Employee Skills

  • The Supervisor’s Role in Skill Development
  • Determining Employee Needs for Development
  • On-The-Job Training and Coaching
  • Tips for Effective Classroom Training
     

  • Module 3: Developing a Team

  • Characteristics of Effective Teams
  • Developing Teams for Success
  • Reducing Barriers to Teamwork
  • Virtual Teams
     

  • Module 4: Building a Positive Work Climate

  • Employee Interactions, Work Climates and Performance
  • Respect in a Diverse Workforce
  • Dealing with Difficult Behavior in Others
  • Keeping on Top of Stress