Organizational Leadership Certificate Program

Today, organizations of all sizes demand leaders who are not only well-versed in the latest leadership theories but can also apply them effectively in the workplace. Successful leaders make critical decisions, drive transformative change, motivate teams, navigate conflicts, and uphold ethical standards. Our 18-hour Organizational Leadership Certificate program equips you with the essential skills needed for effective leadership, promoting positive organizational practices and contemporary outcomes.




Why Choose Our Organizational Leadership Certificate Program?

  • Valuable Learning: Our certificate program provides a focused and intensive exploration of key concepts and theories in Organizational Leadership and leadership as a social phenomenon.

  • Seamless Progression: The 18 credit hours earned in this certificate program seamlessly transfer towards our full MAOL degree. This means that you can start your journey towards a master's degree with confidence, knowing you're building a solid foundation from the start.

  • Experienced Faculty: Learn from distinguished faculty members who bring years of practical real-world experience and academic expertise to the classroom.

  • Flexible Learning Options: Both certificates can be completed entirely online and are designed to accommodate the work/life schedules of working professionals. What’s more, they’re pursued by students from various industries and background, creating invaluable networking opportunities and the ability to learn from each other’s experiences.

  • Enhance Your Network: Students from various industries and backgrounds create invaluable networking opportunities and the ability to learn from each other’s experiences. 

  • Understanding of Organizational Culture: Recognize the role of leadership in shaping organizational culture, with a particular focus on diversity, engagement, and self-reflection.

  • Reinforce Your Critical Thinking Skills: Apply critical thinking and decision-making skills to enhance leadership and organizational effectiveness.

  • Develop Your Ethical Leadership Skills: Develop foundational concepts of ethical leadership, emphasizing Lasallian and Servant Leadership principles.

Your Path to Success

Upon completing our Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership, you'll be well-prepared to pursue a range of leadership positions in various industries. Our alumni have excelled in leadership roles, and you can too.

GIVE YOUR CAREER A DECIDED EDGE THROUGH STACKABLE MICRO-CREDENTIALS

Contact us

(815) 205-0943

Our micro-credentials provide you with highly sought-after industry skills, making you a preferred candidate in the market.

All students will earn the core Organizational Leadership Micro-credential (18 sem. hr.) focused on leadership theories, communication, conflict management and critical thinking and decision-making.

In addition, you’ll be able to choose two from the following specialized micro-credentials for your degree:

  • Professional and Executive Coaching – Gain an understanding of the core competencies while applying coaching models and techniques.

  • Training and Development – Aligned with the Association for Talent Development (ATD) Capability model, this micro-credential will prepare you for leadership roles in instructional design, training management, e-learning, performance improvement, consulting, and change management.

  • Organizational Consulting – Gain an understanding of the consulting industry, strategic planning, operations management, business analytics, and business development.

  • Strategic Human Resource Management – Learn to recognize, define and describe the major components of a good organizational strategy.

  • Change Management – Learn key techniques and processes necessary to support productive organizational change.

Curriculum Overview

We offer two different certificate program options to put you in the driver’s seat of your learning process.


OPTION 1: Organizational Leadership Generalist Certificate (18 credits)
This certificate provides a strong foundation in leadership skills. You’ll build skills in practical areas, such as team and organizational leadership, top talent development, leadership assessment tools, ethical leadership practices, conflict resolution, and more.

  • Leadership: Theories, Practices, and Context (3 credits) - Explore leadership theories, practices, and their contextual applications.

  • Assessing Leadership Skills (3 credits) – Gain insights about and enhance your leadership skills to drive effective leadership in various contexts.

  • Communication, Persuasion, Motivation, and Engagement (3 credits) - Learn effective communication and engagement strategies.

  • Leading Diverse Teams and Conflict Management (3 credits) - Gain skills to lead diverse teams and manage conflicts effectively.

  • Ethics, Critical Thinking, and Decision Making (3 credits) - Develop ethical decision-making skills.

  • Fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (3 credits) - Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in your organization. 

OPTION 2: Customize Your Certificate with Micro-Credentials (18 credits)
Curate your own certificate with two career-focused, industry-aligned micro-credentials that are aligned with your individual career goals.

Required Courses (6 credits)

  • Leadership: Theories, Practices, and Context (3 credits) - Explore leadership theories, practices, and their contextual applications.

  • Assessing Leadership Skills (3 credits) – Gain insights about and enhance your leadership skills to drive effective leadership in various contexts.

Choose two of the following the following industry-aligned and career-focused micro-credentials to customize your certificate:

 1. Change Management Micro-credential (CMMC)

  • Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP)Introduction to Change Management (3 credits) is a ACMP QEPâ„¢ Course - Learn the fundamentals of change management. Aligned with the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP) this course is aligned to ACMP's Standard for Change Management© and adult education best practices.

  • Change Management Implementation (3 credits) - Implement effective change management strategies.

The Change Management Micro-credential prepares learners to sit for the CCMP exam. You will attain all of the 21 hours of qualified training hours required by ACMP plus 11 additional hours.  The CCMP certification is a globally recognized credential offered by the Association of Change Management Professionals (ACMP), a global, professional association dedicated to the advancement and promotion of the change management discipline. Professionals who earn this certification enjoy:

  • A mark of distinction that signifies a practitioner’s proficiency and commitment to the field’s high standards.
  • An understanding of change management principles, knowledge, skills, methodologies, and tools.
  • Global recognition by organizations looking for qualified professionals to lead their change initiatives.
  • Ongoing professional development opportunities.
  • Career enhancement opportunities.

Obtaining a CCMP requires various criteria, which may include a combination of formal education, professional field experience, and professional development activities. You would then need to pass an exam that assesses your knowledge of change management concepts, methodologies, and best practices. It is an important credential for change management professionals. As such, it is recommended that you check the ACMP website for the most current information regarding the .


 2. Strategic Human Resource Management Micro-credential (SHMC)

  • Introduction to Strategic Human Resource Management (3 credits) - Explore strategic HR management.

  • Fostering Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (3 credits) - Promote diversity and equity in HR practices.

Through our alignment with the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM), our Human Resources and DEIB micro-credential prepares you to attain the SHRM-Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and SHRM-Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP) certifications. Earning one of these certifications can offer a wide range of benefits to HR professionals, such as:

  • Demonstrating your expertise and commitment to the human resources profession.
  • A commitment to ethical standards.
  • Shows you have met high standards of knowledge and that you’re up on the latest trends in the field.
  • Networking opportunities and connections with industry leaders.
  • Professional development opportunities designed to keep you engaged with the latest research and concepts.
  • Increased earning potential due to proven expertise and added value to an organization.
  • Transferrable skills and knowledge, allowing you to explore different roles in various industries.
  • Being better equipped to adapt to changes and remain relevant in the industry.

SHRM certification can contribute to your overall professional growth; however, it’s important to note that certification requirements and benefits can change over time. It’s recommended you check the for the most current information.


 3. Organizational Consulting Micro-credential (OCMC)

  • Foundations of Organizational Consulting (3 credits) - Build a foundation in organizational consulting.

  • The Business of Consulting (3 credits) - Explore the business aspects of consulting.

Aligned with the International Council of Management Consultant Institutes (ICMCI), we prepare students for the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) designation. The CMC designation is an internationally recognized professional certification for management consultants. It signifies a high standard of consulting competence, professionalism, and ethical behavior. Earning the CMC will provide you with a number of benefits, including recognition of competence, global recognition, opportunities for professional development, increased networking opportunities and more.

These benefits will prove instrumental to you as you work with businesses, organizations, and institutions to help them improve their overall effectiveness, efficiency, and performance by providing advice, solutions, and strategies to address various challenges and opportunities they face. This can include:

  • Assessment and Analysis
  • Identifying Challenges and Opportunities
  • Developing Solutions
  • Change Management
  • Training and Development
  • Collaboration and Customization
  • Long-Term Partnerships

As a consultant, you can play a critical role in guiding an organization toward positive change and helping them achieve their strategic goals.


 4. ICF Level 2 Executive Coaching Micro-credential (COMC)

  • Introduction to Professional and Executive Coaching (3 credits) - Learn the fundamentals of coaching.

  • Coaching Methodologies, Assessments, and Research (3 credits) - Dive into coaching methodologies and assessments.

For those in the Training and Development field, it’s imperative to continually enhance their skills and stay ahead of the competition. At Â鶹ÊÓƵ×îÐÂ×îÈ«, we can help you acquire the skills you need with a Professional and Executive Coaching Micro-credential.

We offer an International Coach Federation (ICF) level 2 training program which means it has undergone a rigorous review process by the ICF, a globally recognized organization that sets the standard for the coaching profession. It’s actively involved in:

  • Establishing and upholding rigorous coaching standards with credentialing processes for Associate Certified Coaches, Professional Certified Coaches, and Master Certified Coaches.
  • Providing a code of ethics that outlines the principles and professional conduct expected of coaches.
  • Offering a range of resources, including educational programs, conferences, webinars, and publications to support professional development and keep you informed on industry trends and best practices.
  • Opportunities for coaches to connect, share experiences, and collaborate with peers through local chapters, online forums, and events.
  • Conducting research to advance the understanding of coaching’s impacts and benefits, as well as advocating for the coaching profession and its role in personal and professional development.

Graduates of an ICF-accredited Level 2 training program are recognized for their commitment to excellence in coaching. In fact, clients often prefer working with coaches who hold ICF credentials because of the organization’s reputation. Successful completion of a Level 2 program is a direct path to ICF credentialing.

Additional Information


 5. Training and Development Coaching Micro-credential (TDMC)

  • Introduction to Training and Development (3 credits) - Explore training and development principles.

  • Managing and Implementing Training and Development Initiatives (3 credits) - Implement training and development programs effectively.

One of the only university-based education programs aligned with the Association of Talent Development (ATD) and their capability model, Lewis is able to provide you with a robust curriculum that gives you a strong foundation for training and development. The ATD Compatibility Model is organized into three dimensions. ATD’s research indicates that professionals need skills and knowledge from all three areas to be most effective. These include:

  • Building Personal Capability
    These skills include but are not limited to: Communication, Emotional Intelligence and Decision Making, and Cultural Awareness and Inclusion.
  • Developing Personal Capability
    These skills include but are not limited to: Learning Sciences, Instructional Design, Knowledge Management, and Coaching.
  • Impacting Organizational Capability
    These skills include but are not limited to: Business Insight, Consulting and Business Partnering, Talent Strategy and Management, and Data Analytics.

The ATD Capability Model is designed to guide professionals in identifying their strengths and areas for growth, as well as help organizations assess and develop their talent development teams. It will also give you the opportunity to feel fully prepared to pursue one of the following industry sought-after ATD credentials:

  • Certified Professional in Learning and Performance (CPLP): This certification covers a broad range of topics, including instructional design, training delivery, evaluation and measurement, learning technologies, and more. You’ll be required to sit for a knowledge exam and submit a work product related to a specific talent development project.

  • Associate Professional in Talent Development (APTD): Aimed at professional who are early in their careers, this certification covers foundational areas of talent development, including instructional design, training delivery, learning technologies, and evaluating learning impact. It also serves as a stepping stone for those looking to further their careers and eventually pursue the CPLP.


Admission Requirements

Our admission process is designed to be straightforward and accessible:

  • Criteria: You need a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution and a GPA of at least 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) in the last 60 hours of undergraduate courses.

  • Application Process: Submit your application and application fee online.

  • Required Documents: We'll need your undergraduate transcripts and a statement of purpose to assess your application.

Tuition and Financial Aid

  • We understand that financing your education is important. Our competitive tuition rates are complemented by a range of financial aid options, including scholarships and grants. Connect with our financial aid office to explore opportunities for support.

Start Your Leadership Journey Today

Elevate your leadership skills and propel your career forward with our Organizational Leadership Certificate program. Join us to build a strong foundation in leadership theory and practice or customize your certificate with micro-credentials to meet your specific career goals. Enroll now and embark on your path to becoming a dynamic leader in today's organizations.

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