Leadership Essentials Certificate
Expand your reach.
Explore how universities function, how to communicate and collaborate across roles, and how to contribute meaningfully to institutional goals. Through courses focused on ethical decision-making, personal effectiveness, digital literacy, teamwork, and wellness, you will build the mindset and skills to lead yourself and contribute with confidence, clarity, and care. This certificate helps you build awareness of how equity, diversity, inclusion, accessibility, and reconciliation shape higher education. Gain the foundational tools to contribute to inclusive environments, respect diverse perspectives, and engage thoughtfully with reconciliation commitments in your daily work and interactions.
The certificate emphasizes leadership agility, balancing strategic awareness, operational execution, and personal adaptability. Learn to navigate complex systems, manage risk, and drive improvement through collaboration, data, and reflection.
Upcoming Courses
The Leadership Essentials Certificate offers eight micro-credential courses, which can be taken in any sequence. Courses are self-directed and asynchronous, and 15 hours in length. You can stack all eight courses to earn the Leadership Essentials Certificate.
| Micro-Credential Course | Semester |
|---|---|
| Foundations of University leadership | Fall 2026 |
| Ethics, Integrity and Decision-Making in Higher Education | Fall 2026 |
| Leading Self: Time, Energy and Professional Boundaries | Fall 2026 |
| Communication and Collaboration in Higher Ed | Winter 2027 |
| Digital Foundations for Higher Education Professionals | Winter 2027 |
| Wellness, Mental Health and Psychological Safety | Winter 2027 |
| Navigating Change and Ambiguity in Higher Education | Summer 2027 |
| Introduction to Project and Process Thinking | Summer 2027 |
Program Details
Visit the Leadership Essentials Certificate registration page to learn more about dates, fees, and other important program details.
A Quick Note about Micro-Credentials
Micro-credentials are quickly emerging as a new way to meet job market demands within a shorter time commitment and at lower tuition costs. This new movement in education is on track to gain popularity over longer and more traditional continuing education programs.
What is a digital badge?
A digital badge is a graphic icon that represents a credential through achievement of a particular course or program. Digital badging offers students a simplified approach to documenting and sharing their qualifications and skills with current and future employers.