Explore the best online public speaking courses

Explore flexible, affordable public speaking courses from edX to develop the skills you need to build professional relationships and advance your career.

Key takeaways

  • The best edX public speaking courses offer flexible learning and emphasize career-aligned skills.
  • Top careers requiring advanced public speaking skills feature a median salary above $145,000.
  • Develop your public speaking skills by mastering basic concepts before moving on to rhetoric and persuasion

Popular online public speaking courses with certificates

Rhetoric: The Art of Persuasive Writing and Public Speaking
Harvard University
Course
The Craft of Storytelling
University of Alaska Fairbanks
Course
Public Speaking
Rochester Institute of Technology
Course
Professional Business Presentations
Doane University
Course

What is public speaking?

You perform public speaking whenever you address a live audience. Mastering public speaking requires advanced verbal and nonverbal communication skills, continuous practice, and a positive attitude. Public speaking courses can help you identify areas for improvement and prepare for careers where strong public speaking skills are an asset.

Why learn public speaking?

  • Increase your workplace confidence by mastering public speaking skills.
  • Communicate effectively with managers, peers, and direct reports.
  • Present your ideas and accomplishments more confidently when pursuing raises, promotions, or new opportunities.

Browse online public speaking certificates

Find new interests and advance your career opportunities

Stand out in your field

Use the knowledge and skills you have gained to drive impact at work and grow your career.

Learn at your own pace

On your computer, tablet or phone, online courses make learning flexible to fit your busy life.

Earn a valuable credential

Showcase your key skills and valuable knowledge.

Certificates

Leadership and Communication
Harvard University
Professional Certificate
2 courses
Communication Skills
Rochester Institute of Technology
Professional Certificate
3 courses
The Authentic Human in the Global Workplace
Davidson College
Professional Certificate
2 courses

Careers that benefit from public speaking skills

A versatile skill, public speaking can help you in nearly any career. Explore the following jobs to learn how professionals in different industries use public speaking skills to thrive.

Sales manager

Sales managers use their public speaking skills to create training programs, recruit new salespeople, and collaborate with other managers.

  • Required education: Bachelor's degree
  • Median annual salary (2025): $148,270

Why learn public speaking online with edX

edX helps learners around the world grow their skills and careers. Join our learning community today!

100M
global learners, in nearly every industry, are upskilling with edX.
84%
of edX learners have seen professional growth after earning a certificate.
580K
professionals have had their lives changed through Executive Education.
42K
edX learners have already found their degree program this year.

Trusted by leading institutions

How to start learning public speaking

Creating a plan to learn public speaking can save you time, money, and frustration. Choose edX public speaking courses that can help you reinforce basic skills, become a better presenter, and increase your persuasiveness in the workplace.

1. Build your communication foundation

Introductory edX courses emphasize the foundational skills and knowledge you might have forgotten since leaving school. In the virtual classroom, you may review communication principles, effective listening, and emotional intelligence.

Featured courses

Business Communications - The Basics
Doane University
Course
Authentic Communication: How to Adapt, Connect, and Lead in Any Workplace Setting
Davidson College
Course
Soft Skills: Present with Purpose
IBM
Course

Explore public speaking programs

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my public speaking skills?

Beyond taking edX courses, you can improve your public speaking skills by practicing in the workplace and asking a mentor for advice. Other strategies include avoiding memorization when preparing to give a speech, reducing filler words in your speech, and realizing that even the best public speakers make mistakes.

Can public speaking be learned, or is it a natural talent?

Yes, you can learn public speaking, even if you feel terrified in front of an audience or tend to forget parts of your speech. Learning in-demand public speaking skills involves mastering rhetorical techniques, identifying your speech's context and intended audience, and analyzing your performance after the speech.

What skills do you learn in a public speaking course?

Skills you may learn in an introductory public speaking course include:

  • Choosing the right rhetorical techniques
  • Assessing your proficiency with public speaking
  • Presenting information on camera or virtually
  • Applying feedback to your next speech

edX courses offer detailed curricula and intended learning outcomes, letting you make an informed decision.

Is public speaking an important career skill?

Yes, good public speaking skills can help you in nearly any career. You can become a better presenter, impress managers, and persuade others more effectively. With experience, these skills also let you manage and train the next generation in your field.