Leadership Certificate

Leadership today includes much more than the C-suite. Leadership is found at every part of an organization, and every person can develop themselves as a leader. 

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The online graduate Certificate in Leadership is designed for working professionals who want to better understand what leadership today means, and how they can become a better leader. Regardless of whether you’re in the private sector, the nonprofit sector, higher education, or for the federal, state, or local government, this certificate will provide a solid foundation in organizational leadership, community and team development, financial management, and more. No matter how much experience you have or whether you are already in an advanced position, the content of our courses will help you hone critical skills for leading in today's business environment.

What you’ll learn in the Certificate in Leadership program will apply across any industry. You will gain confidence in your own role in your organization. You will be better able to solve challenges creatively and innovatively. You will have greater insight into the way organizations work. And you will have more skills to manage change and support individuals and teams. 

Courses will expose you to topics leaders and managers encounter regularly from goal setting to conflict resolution, from ethical reasoning to persuasion, and from project management to financial management. 

Key Takeaways

• Advanced leadership credentials through a flexible online program
• Graduate level certificate; 18 credits / 6 courses. Typically completed in 12 months
• Whether you are in a leadership role or have found yourself managing others without any formal training, this program will offer improved skills, new strategies, and better outcomes
• Courses cover theory to practical frameworks developed by experts, allowing you to draw on best practices in situations you encounter daily
• Students with PMI® certifications can earn up to 45 PDUs per course. PSPM and PSLP courses are eligible. PMI is a registered mark of the Project Management Institute, Inc.

Why Leadership Skills are In-Demand

Leadership skills are critical to the success of an organization. Current studies* indicate that:

• 58% of managers said they did not receive any management training. 
• 79% of people quit their job due to lack of appreciation.
• 77% of organizations report they are currently experiencing a leadership gap.
• Fewer than 20% of organizations have a bench of capable leaders ready to fill critical roles. 

*Latest Corporate Crisis: Only 11% of Surveyed Companies Have a Strong Leadership Bench, by Edward Segal, May 19, 2021, and “Leadership Transitions Report 2021,” Development Dimensions International, Inc., 2021.

SCPS’ Program Offers Advantages:

• Flexible programming: with core courses offered regularly, you can stay on your desired learning journey.
• One tuition rate: you’ll pay the same tution whether you reside in Virginia or out-of-state.
• Expert Faculty who understand adult learners: learn from Faculty who are experts in their industries and are experts at teaching. They understand the demands adult learners need to juggle and structure courses so you can balance your personal and professional life while learning.
• Synchronous learning opportunities: you’ll join online classes and can ask questions, dig deeper, and learn from instructors and classmates.

Tuition & Fees

• Estimated cost: $629 per credit hour or $11,322 for the entire program. Students pay per course, per semester.
• Pay the same tuition rate whether you are in-state or out-of-state.
• This program is not eligible for financial aid but may be covered by your employer’s education benefits program. 
• You may take advantage of an optional, interest-free semester-based payment plan offered by the University to help spread the cost of eligible charges over monthly payment.
• Additional fees may apply, including course materials. Tuition rates are adjusted annually.

See Tuition Details

Scholarships

New and returning students in certificate or degree programs in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies are eligible to apply for the Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program. 

Admission Requirements & Deadlines

DEADLINE INFORMATION

• To begin in the fall (August): application must be submitted by July 1
• To begin in the spring (January): application must be submitted by November 1
• To begin in the summer (May): application must be submitted by April 1

APPLICATION INFORMATION

This is a graduate-level certificate course. Applicants must have an undergraduate degree.

To apply:

1. Complete an online application, including:
   1. Submit your unofficial transcripts. Offers of admission are not binding until official transcripts are received and verified.
   2. Application for Virginia In-State Education Privileges to establish residency.

START YOUR APPLICATION

Required Courses (4)

Current and prospective students may contact scpsinquiry@virginia.edu with questions related to their journey and course schedule. 

PSLP 5300 - FOUNDATIONS OF LEADERSHIP

Introduces students to various styles and theories of leadership. Through self-assessment and guided inquiry, students examine and create their own unique style of leadership. Students will develop approaches to adapt and modify leadership styles to various situations and individual personalities to influence organizational outcomes.  

PSLP 5320 - ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERSHIP

Focuses on the challenging role of leaders in today’s complex organizations. Identifies ways to adapt the organizational structures, policies, and management workforce to enhance competitive advantage. Topics include change management, organizational dynamics, and crisis management. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to assess risk, perform root cause analysis, and employ effective decision-making processes.  

PSLP 5330 - COMMUNICATION & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

Prepares today's leaders for success in communication skills with diverse audiences, as well as effective team building and management. Communication topics address technical and non-technical audiences using presentations; interpersonal skills; and writing skills. Team development instruction focuses on managing teams, identifying and understanding the leadership role, the importance of shared leadership, and team decision-making.

PSLP 5340 - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT FOR LEADERS

Examines how value is measured, created, and maximized. Beginning with an introduction to accounting, instruction covers the fundamentals of measuring and reporting revenue, costs, cash flow, assets, liabilities, and equity. Explores the financial decisions that management must make, including break-even analysis, budgeting, investment in assets, and funding with debt equity.

Electives (2)

Students must complete two electives from one of the focus areas, or select one elective from two of the following areas.

BUS 5010 - CYBERSECURITY MANAGEMENT

Provides managers with the essential framework needed to design and develop an effective cybersecurity program.  Explores methods used to raise general security awareness, review current industry practices, and develop expertise needed to adapt policies to achieve confidentiality, integrity, and availability of organizational assets and data. 

HR 5020 - STAFFING AND CAREER MANAGEMENT

Examines the processes and techniques that establish and govern the flow of interrelated organizational staffing activities. Includes case studies covering the latest staffing models and systems, economic conditions that impact staffing, laws and regulations, strategy and planning, measurement, job analysis, internal and external recruiting, and decision making. 

HR 5040 - ORGANIZATIONAL PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Examines the influence of human performance elements (such as quality of work-life, rewards and recognition, job design, teambuilding, and participative management) on organizational performance. 

HR 5050 - ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGE AND DEVELOPMENT

Enables the student to understand the behavioral concepts and theories that form the foundation of organizational development, the process of change management, and the organizational development techniques and interventions designed to improve organization effectiveness. Explores such concepts and processes as power and influence, conflict, inter-group behavior, decision-making, and communication. 

HR 5112 - SHRM LEARNING SYSTEM AND EXAM PREPARATION

Prepares students for Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) industry certification exams (Certified Professional or Senior Certified Professional). Uses SHRM Body of Applied Skills and Knowledge (BASK), which defines standards for HR professionals globally. Enables students to better comprehend and apply HR topics. See SHRM for full certification requirements. Enrolled students receive partner price for SHRM Learning System and textbooks. 

PC 5010 - PROCUREMENT POLICY AND PRACTICES

Covers all subchapters of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), providing an intensive review of practical technical, business and contractual issues that the government deals with in establishing and managing a federal contract. Topics include acquisition process, governmental acquisition plans, inspection and termination as well as some of the basics necessary for contracts and acquisition personnel. 

PSLP 5310 - STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP

Focuses on strategic planning and foresight. Uses case studies to explore the challenging role of leaders in different organizational settings and how leaders can strategize for successful outcomes.

PSPA 5020 - PUBLIC ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT

Explores theories of organizational behavior applied to public sector agencies and cross-sector initiatives focused on delivering public value. Introduces theories, skills, and tools to analyze organizational dilemmas and identify promising practices to help individuals and teams achieve collective goals. Covers organizational planning and decision-making, process improvement, evaluation, accountability, leadership, and stakeholder communication. 

PSPA 5030 - PUBLIC BUDGETING AND FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

Provides a basic understanding of the financial activities of U.S. governments at all levels. Explores the purposes, characteristics, processes, and operations of financial management systems and focuses on financial operations analysis, coordination across relevant public entities, and effective public resource management. Topics include budgeting theory and practice, debt management, treasury and cash management, and revenue/tax administration. 

PSPA 5040 - ETHICS

Introduces and explores the philosophical and practical issues related to ethical decision making. Emphasizes the analysis of ethical problems and the development of analytical skills and values. Incorporates case studies, journal articles, current events, and debates as practical examples of ethical issues.  

PSPM 5030 - INTRODUCTION TO PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Introduces students to the various aspects of the project life cycle and project management. Explores best practices and the application of these best practices for project success.

PSPM 5230 - PROJECT MANAGEMENT LEADERSHIP AND MANAGING THE PROJECT TEAM

Analyzes the difference between leadership and management in the project management environment. Evaluates the role of the project manager as team leader, and reviews the application of various leadership and management techniques to project management

PSPM 5290 - PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES OF AGILE PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Introduces Agile Project Management as an iterative and incremental method of managing the project design and build activities for engineering, information technology, and new product or service development projects in a highly flexible and interactive manner. Provides thorough exposure to agile and lean methods, and explores differences between these methods and traditional techniques.