Nexford programs are flexibly paced—not self-paced. Study when it works for you, and stay on track with weekly deadlines. Live sessions are optional. Expect to be challenged: and plan to invest at least 10 hours per week. That’s what it takes to build real skills that deliver real career value.
Skills you will learn - and add to your résumé
The Professional Sales certificate develops your skills in prospecting, selling techniques, and using sales technology to effectively manage customer relationships and drive revenue growth.
Communicate with Customers
Apply communication techniques and buyer psychology to build trust and influence decisions.
Use Sales Technology
Manage leads and pipelines using CRM tools, sales dashboards, and digital platforms.
Apply Ethical Negotiation
Use ethical persuasion and relationship-building to guide customers through the sales process.
Execute Sales Techniques
Apply proven methods to engage prospects, overcome objections, and close deals.
Evaluate Sales Performance
Analyze sales metrics and feedback to improve results and forecast future trends.
Support Digital Sales & Content
Contribute to outreach campaigns, e-commerce efforts, and social content strategies.
Communicate with Customers
Apply communication techniques and buyer psychology to build trust and influence decisions.
Use Sales Technology
Manage leads and pipelines using CRM tools, sales dashboards, and digital platforms.
Apply Ethical Negotiation
Use ethical persuasion and relationship-building to guide customers through the sales process.
Execute Sales Techniques
Apply proven methods to engage prospects, overcome objections, and close deals.
Evaluate Sales Performance
Analyze sales metrics and feedback to improve results and forecast future trends.
Support Digital Sales & Content
Contribute to outreach campaigns, e-commerce efforts, and social content strategies.
Courses in the Career Pathway in Professional Sales
This Certificate includes 9 required courses. Each course is designed to take two months, but you can finish in just one. You’ll begin with one course at a time and can increase your course load as you progress - at no extra cost. All courses in this certificate are transferrable into Nexford's BBA degree.
Program Courses
Program Structure
You need 9 courses to complete your Career Pathway in Professional Sales
9 core courses
Core Courses (9 required)
Roadmap to Success
Roadmap to success is the foundational course for the Business program. This course prepares learners for success in the degree program and promotes a journey toward lifelong learning. Learners develop skills for communication, academic writing, self-discovery, career development, and presentation skills. This course is a hybrid competency course and introduces the learner to the competency-based model of Nexford courses in the BBA program.
Professional Communication
Professional Communication places an emphasis on communication styles and approaches in today's workplace to include digital, verbal and nonverbal communication. The course focuses on the evaluation of case analysis and discussion and on practical business and professional communication skills, including writing, speaking, and listening. Emphasis is on clarity, organization, format, appropriate language, and consideration of audience, for both written and oral communication. Learners engage in self-assessment of communicative competence and learn strategies for enhancing their skills. The course explores how technology and other tools are integrated into communications within a professional setting and students will be able to identify appropriate and inappropriate professional communications.
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Modeling
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Modeling is designed to equip learners with foundational skills in spreadsheet usage and basic modeling techniques. In today’s data-driven world, the ability to efficiently organize, analyze, and visualize information is essential for success across various fields, including business, finance, engineering, and the sciences.
Introduction to AI
The Introduction to AI course introduces the fundamental concepts of AI, exploring its transformative impact across industries. Learners examine various AI tools and technologies and their interconnected applications in business, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Additional topics include the ethical implications of AI, future trends, and strategies for integrating AI into decision-making and operations effectively.
Content Marketing and Social Media
Content Marketing and Social Media emphasizes the importance of content and how different content types can be used to support brand and business goals. Learners identify not only the content type, but the literal content as well, in conjunction with a focus on the most appropriate demographic(s) for various content. Additionally, learners develop a content strategy and create engaging content for the right audience and channel.
Data Analytics
Advances in data collection, machine learning, and computational power have fueled institutional progress. The volume of available data has grown exponentially, and algorithms have continued to advance along with greater computational power and storage. As organizations become more inundated with data, having systems and processes in place to better understand and interpret data is highly important. This course focuses on how organizations can identify, evaluate and use data effectively. As consumers become increasingly savvy with their use of data, organizations need to change their responses. The use of data for all types of business from a large organization to a small retail shop will continue to become more sophisticated. This course provides an understanding of the data analysis process. Learners examine how technology has improved the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data, and they investigate data analysis tools and technologies to improve the decision making process.
Decoding the Digital Consumer
This course explores the psychological principles underlying consumer behavior in the digital age. Learners will gain insights into how consumers perceive, process, and respond to marketing messages and sales interactions in online and offline environments. Through real-world case studies and interactive exercises, learners will learn to apply these principles to develop effective sales strategies, build rapport with customers, and influence purchasing decisions.
Professional Selling and Relationship Management
This course will provide learners with a comprehensive and practical exploration of the professional selling process, enabling them to master the art of building and sustaining long-lasting customer relationships. Learners will gain a deep understanding of the seven steps of the selling process, from prospecting and qualifying to closing the sale and follow-up. They will develop key skills in communication, active listening, adaptive selling, and ethical decision-making, empowering them to effectively identify and address customer needs, build rapport, and achieve sales goals while adhering to ethical standards.
Digital Selling and E-commerce Strategies
This course explores the evolving landscape of professional selling in the digital age. Learners will learn how e-commerce has transformed sales practices across B2B, B2C, and other market segments. The course covers key concepts of e-commerce, including online sales platforms, digital marketing integration, customer relationship management (CRM) in the digital context, and data analytics for sales optimization. Learners will develop practical skills in online sales techniques, digital communication, and building customer relationships in a virtual environment. The course emphasizes a hands-on approach, incorporating case studies, simulations, and projects that simulate real-world e-commerce sales scenarios.
You need 9 courses to complete your Career Pathway in Professional Sales
9 core courses
Roadmap to Success
Roadmap to success is the foundational course for the Business program. This course prepares learners for success in the degree program and promotes a journey toward lifelong learning. Learners develop skills for communication, academic writing, self-discovery, career development, and presentation skills. This course is a hybrid competency course and introduces the learner to the competency-based model of Nexford courses in the BBA program.
Professional Communication
Professional Communication places an emphasis on communication styles and approaches in today's workplace to include digital, verbal and nonverbal communication. The course focuses on the evaluation of case analysis and discussion and on practical business and professional communication skills, including writing, speaking, and listening. Emphasis is on clarity, organization, format, appropriate language, and consideration of audience, for both written and oral communication. Learners engage in self-assessment of communicative competence and learn strategies for enhancing their skills. The course explores how technology and other tools are integrated into communications within a professional setting and students will be able to identify appropriate and inappropriate professional communications.
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Modeling
Introduction to Spreadsheets and Modeling is designed to equip learners with foundational skills in spreadsheet usage and basic modeling techniques. In today’s data-driven world, the ability to efficiently organize, analyze, and visualize information is essential for success across various fields, including business, finance, engineering, and the sciences.
Introduction to AI
The Introduction to AI course introduces the fundamental concepts of AI, exploring its transformative impact across industries. Learners examine various AI tools and technologies and their interconnected applications in business, healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Additional topics include the ethical implications of AI, future trends, and strategies for integrating AI into decision-making and operations effectively.
Content Marketing and Social Media
Content Marketing and Social Media emphasizes the importance of content and how different content types can be used to support brand and business goals. Learners identify not only the content type, but the literal content as well, in conjunction with a focus on the most appropriate demographic(s) for various content. Additionally, learners develop a content strategy and create engaging content for the right audience and channel.
Data Analytics
Advances in data collection, machine learning, and computational power have fueled institutional progress. The volume of available data has grown exponentially, and algorithms have continued to advance along with greater computational power and storage. As organizations become more inundated with data, having systems and processes in place to better understand and interpret data is highly important. This course focuses on how organizations can identify, evaluate and use data effectively. As consumers become increasingly savvy with their use of data, organizations need to change their responses. The use of data for all types of business from a large organization to a small retail shop will continue to become more sophisticated. This course provides an understanding of the data analysis process. Learners examine how technology has improved the ability to collect, analyze and interpret data, and they investigate data analysis tools and technologies to improve the decision making process.
Decoding the Digital Consumer
This course explores the psychological principles underlying consumer behavior in the digital age. Learners will gain insights into how consumers perceive, process, and respond to marketing messages and sales interactions in online and offline environments. Through real-world case studies and interactive exercises, learners will learn to apply these principles to develop effective sales strategies, build rapport with customers, and influence purchasing decisions.
Professional Selling and Relationship Management
This course will provide learners with a comprehensive and practical exploration of the professional selling process, enabling them to master the art of building and sustaining long-lasting customer relationships. Learners will gain a deep understanding of the seven steps of the selling process, from prospecting and qualifying to closing the sale and follow-up. They will develop key skills in communication, active listening, adaptive selling, and ethical decision-making, empowering them to effectively identify and address customer needs, build rapport, and achieve sales goals while adhering to ethical standards.
Digital Selling and E-commerce Strategies
This course explores the evolving landscape of professional selling in the digital age. Learners will learn how e-commerce has transformed sales practices across B2B, B2C, and other market segments. The course covers key concepts of e-commerce, including online sales platforms, digital marketing integration, customer relationship management (CRM) in the digital context, and data analytics for sales optimization. Learners will develop practical skills in online sales techniques, digital communication, and building customer relationships in a virtual environment. The course emphasizes a hands-on approach, incorporating case studies, simulations, and projects that simulate real-world e-commerce sales scenarios.
What’s it like to learn at Nexford?
Flexible
Flexible
Real-world projects
Real-world projects
Build skills by doing. Every course includes hands-on projects that mirror real workplace challenges like building financial models plans, data dashboards, or marketing strategies. You won’t just learn about it - you’ll practice doing it. And projects are often curated from the world's largest organizations.
Collaborative learning
Collaborative learning
Work with peers from around the world on discussions that reflect global workplace dynamics. You won’t learn in a vacuum. Share ideas, get feedback, build a network - and be part of a global community that sharpens how you think.
Rewarding learning
Rewarding learning
Earn certificates and digital badges for the skills you build - long before you finish your degree. Every project moves you forward and every milestone counts. Progress isn’t hidden, its rewarded and you get to share that progress as you grow.
Personalized support
Personalized support
You’re online but never alone. Book 1:1 time with faculty or advisors, join group sessions, or reach out anytime by chat, email, or online calls. Whether it’s academics or career advice, real humans are here - or bots if you prefer.
Technology enabled
Technology enabled
Expect a modern, fully online experience that just works - including on mobile. All required tools are included, and you’ll never pay extra for textbooks or software. No clunky systems or boring PDFs. Just online learning, made simple.
Certificate Admission requirements
You can upload your documents 100% online today
Proof of Identity
Proof of Identity
As part of the admissions process, applicants are asked to provide a photo or scan of a government-issued form of identification and a passport-style photo or selfie.
Proof of high school completion
Proof of high school completion
Undergraduate degree program applicants must submit proof of high school completion or its equivalent (e.g., GED or national exam certificate).
Proof of English Proficiency
Proof of English Proficiency
If your previous education was in English, your transcript will serve as proof of English proficiency. You can also provide scores from an approved qualification exam.
Where our learners work
Join us for a free virtual tour
Join us live to see how learning at Nexford works, hear from alumni, and get your questions answered by current learners, faculty, and staff.
Free online webinar
Get a live preview of Nexford courses and the tools our learners use. Hear from our team dedicated to your success.
Free online webinar
Get a live preview of Nexford courses and the tools our learners use. Hear from our team dedicated to your success.
Your dedicated career success platform
Your dedicated career success platform
Personalized Career Recommendations
Discover your strengths and uncover your personalized career paths with AI-powered personality and job-fit assessments.
Smart Resume & Interview Tools
Build standout resumes and get real-time interview feedback to ace your next interview.
1:1 Career Coaching
Book time with expert coaches for personalized guidance on job searches, networking, and long-term planning.
Access thousands of additional courses
Access thousands of additional optional courses & certifications to help you level-up at no additional cost.
Real projects you'll complete
Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Sales Enablement
NYT Ad Sales Strategy
Bloomberg Product Fit
Hewlett Packard Enterprise: Sales Enablement
NYT Ad Sales Strategy
Bloomberg Product Fit
Your potential career outlook in sales
Almost every industry needs strategic sellers and problem-solvers who think critically, move fast, and now use AI to do it smarter. These are real examples of roles held by our 6,000+ graduates.
Sales
- Sales Representative
- Sales Associate
- Sales Coordinator
- Account Executive
Customer Relations
- Customer Success Manager
- Client Services Specialist
- Account Executive
- Client Relationship Manager
Account Management
- Customer Success Manager
- Client Services Specialist
- Account Executive
- Client Relationship Manager
Business Development
- Business Development Associate
- Sales Development Representative
- Business Development Executive
25%
Projected growth in sales-related roles globally through 2030
55%
Percentage of companies struggling to find skilled sales professionals worldwide
60%
Businesses prioritizing investment in sales training and development
Sources: Earnest, GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council), LinkedIn Insights / Emerging Jobs Report, World Economic Forum, Deloitte Insights, PwC CEO Survey, Gartner, IDC (International Data Corporation), Statista, eMarketer, Kauffman Foundation, Crunchbase, OECD, World Bank, UNESCO Graduate Outcomes Survey, IBM Research, Harvard Business Review, National Association of Colleges and Employers, International Labour Organization, HubSpot & LinkedIn Marketing Report, Glassdoor Salary Insights
Hear from our alumni and their employers
Nexford is accredited.
Accredited by DEAC
The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)
Accredited by DEAC
The International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE)