Skip to main content

StarID Alert: If you are unable to log in with your StarID, please visit https://starid.minnstate.edu/ to reset or update your password.
Metro State University (Home)

COMM 331 Interpersonal Communication for the Helping Professions

This course is designed to develop skills in perceiving and responding to others as whole persons. Particular attention is paid to working with individual in health care and human service settings. The course is organized into five major units: 1) Groundwork for helping relationships; 2) Basic skills; 3) Understanding the client¿s current situation and concerns; 4) Assisting the client in identifying and committing to a desired change; and 5) Facilitating the development of action strategies to move forward. The focus within each of the units will be on mastering the communication skills that contribute to the greatest likelihood of success with clients in the helping professions.
4 Undergraduate credits

Effective May 4, 2021 to present

Meets graduation requirements for

Learning outcomes

General

  • Communicate respect and empathic concern,
  • Ask effective questions to facilitate patient/client communication of concerns/problems,
  • Listen effectively,
  • Challenge the patient/client on issues relevant to well being,
  • Facilitate patient/client decision making, assist patients in developing strategies and plans, and
  • Increase motivation and commitment.
  • Students will also take into account race, ethnicity, class, gender, and type of family unit in understanding the values, beliefs, and communication processes engaged in by different patients/client.

Minnesota Transfer Curriculum

Goal 1: Communication

  • Understand/demonstrate the writing and speaking processes through invention, organization, drafting, revision, editing and presentation.
  • Participate effectively in groups with emphasis on listening, critical and reflective thinking, and responding.
  • Locate, evaluate, and synthesize in a responsible manner material from diverse sources and points of view.
  • Select appropriate communication choices for specific audiences.
  • Construct logical and coherent arguments.
  • Use authority, point-of-view, and individual voice and style in their writing and speaking.
  • Employ syntax and usage appropriate to academic disciplines and the professional world.

Fall 2025

Section Title Instructor books eservices
01 Interpersonal Communication for the Helping Professions Omdahl, Becky Lynn Books for COMM-331-01 Fall 2025 Course details for COMM-331-01 Fall 2025