Have you ever tried to find a solution to a problem only to realize you’ve been focusing on the wrong problem from the very beginning? Or you’ve proposed a solution only to have it shut down by your boss or coworkers? How stressful and defeating is that? With massive changes in our world that seem to create the most difficult of circumstances, both personally and professionally, your skills as a critical thinker and problem solver need to be further developed now more than ever.
This course is part of the Professional Skills for the Workplace Specialization
Offered By
About this Course
At least 1-2 years of experience.
What you will learn
Apply critical thinking skills to complex problems.
Apply a model for solving problems and pose questions to further understanding of specific problems.
Skills you will gain
- Critical Thinking
- Decision-Making
- Problem Solving
- Brainstorming
At least 1-2 years of experience.
Offered by

University of California, Davis
UC Davis, one of the nation’s top-ranked research universities, is a global leader in agriculture, veterinary medicine, sustainability, environmental and biological sciences, and technology. With four colleges and six professional schools, UC Davis and its students and alumni are known for their academic excellence, meaningful public service and profound international impact.
Syllabus - What you will learn from this course
Getting Started and Introduction to Problem Solving
In this module, you will be able to apply a model for solving any problem, large or small, in a creative and collaborative way. You will also be able to identify all aspects of a problem and examine role in the problem. You will be able to reframe a goal oriented question.
Brainstorming and Analyzing Options
In this module, you will be able to brainstorm solutions to your possible problem. You will choose 3 possible options and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each option. You will be able to generate more effective solutions.
Recommending and Engaging Feedback
In this module, you will be able to explore your own triggers and how they may show up in our reactions. You'll be able to identify potential responses that could trigger negative reactions. You will be able to prepare and make a recommendation to your problem. You will also be able to engage in feedback.
Reviews
- 5 stars79%
- 4 stars16.37%
- 3 stars3.91%
- 2 stars0.35%
- 1 star0.35%
TOP REVIEWS FROM CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS FOR THE PROFESSIONAL
I love the structure of the course. The steps are easy to remember with the help of Kinetic Memorization. Overall, this course exceeds my expectation. Thank you.
Easy learn course with good ilustration by Diane. Thank you for preparing this excellent course material.
Ms. Diane's lesson was fun and not dull. Her expereince sharing was down to earth and easy to get.\n\nHighly recommended!!
this course is interesting, critical thinking is very important to improve our communication skills.
About the Professional Skills for the Workplace Specialization
This Specialization is intended for working professionals early in their career and for organizations who look to improve interpersonal relationship skills among their employees, clients, and customers.

Frequently Asked Questions
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