Supervision Essentials

Take just one course or earn the Penn State non-credit Supervision Essentials Certificate by completing all four! 

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 supervisory role.

Supervision Essentials Program Overview

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 online using Zoom video-conferencing technology.

Course 1: Supervisor Roles & Responsibilities (MDEV 6000)

  • Dates:  April 16, 2025 - May 7, 2025
  • Times: Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., plus 2.5 hours independent work weekly (16 hours)
  • Location: Online instructor-led training via Zoom videoconferencing
  • Cost: $325 (discounts for 3 or more from one organization)

REGISTER NOW FOR MDEV 6000

Module Descriptions for Supervisory Roles & Responsibilities 

Module 1: Meeting Supervisory Responsibilities

  • The Transitions to Supervision
  • Supervisory Roles and Skills
  • Values and Ethics
  • Management Approaches and Styles

Module 3: Building Work Relationships

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

Module 2: Communicating Effectively

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

Module 4: Leading Others

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

Course 2: Managing Employee Performance (MDEV 6001)

  • Dates: TBD
  • Times: 6:30–8:30 p.m., plus two hours of independent work weekly
  • Location: Online instructor-led training via Zoom videoconferencing
  • Cost: $325
  • Registration: TBD
Module Descriptions for Managing Employee Performance 

Module 1: Setting the Stage for Excellent Performance

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

Module 3: Coaching and Providing Feedback

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

Module 2: Clarifying Expectations and Observing Performance

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

Module 4: Dealing with Challenging Performance Situations

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

Course 3: Solving Problems and Managing Priorities (MDEV 6002)

  • Dates: TBD
  • Times: 6:30–8:30 p.m., plus two hours of independent work weekly
  • Location: Online instructor-led training via Zoom videoconferencing
  • Cost: $325
  • Registration: TBD
Module Descriptions for Solving Problems and managing Priorities 

Module 1: Managing Time and Priorities

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

Module 3: Resolving Conflicts

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

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 4: Supervising Projects

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

Course 4: Developing Individuals and Teams (MDEV 6010)

  • Dates: TBD
  • Times: 6:30–8:30 p.m., plus two hours of independent work weekly
  • Location: Online instructor-led training via Zoom videoconferencing
  • Cost: $325
  • Registration: TBD
Module Descriptions for Developing Individuals and Teams 

Module 1: Interviewing and Selecting Employees

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

Module 3: Developing a Team

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

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 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