Program Overview

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Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate

Program Type

Certificate

Est. Time to Complete

12 months

School

Graduate and Professional Programs

Delivery Mode

Online

About the Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management

Key Courses

Strategic Leadership and Management Graduate Certificate Requirements

The Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate program curriculum covers leadership theories, communication strategies, organizational behavior, and marketing. The online courses provide practical skills and innovative strategies for leading groups and organizations of any size.

Applicants interested in the graduate certificate program do not need a prior background in business. However, they must hold an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. The graduate certificate program’s 12 course credits can be stacked toward the 30-credit online Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership and Management program for those who would like to pursue a full graduate degree.

Strategic Leadership and Management Courses

Advance your career with our online courses in strategic leadership and management methods, elevated by practical projects and applications. These courses stack toward a full Master of Arts program if continuing your education post-certificate:

• IMC 520: Strategic Media Communication
• ML 510: Foundations of Leadership
• ML 550: Complex Organizations
• MBA 531: Strategic Marketing

Admissions and Financial Aid

York College’s rolling admissions schedule allows students to apply to the Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate program at any time to begin in the fall, spring, or summer semesters.

With just four courses, the Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate is less expensive than a complete graduate degree program. The Financial Aid Office can help determine if you qualify for any available financial aid, such as federal loan funds.

Career Opportunities & Benefits

Elevate Management Career Prospects

With the one-year Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate, students of all levels of professional experience, regardless of their industry, can enhance their career opportunities and prepare themselves to take on leadership responsibilities and advance to management roles.

Impact career trajectories in fields such as:

• Consulting
• Hospitality and customer service
• Human resources
• Marketing
• Media and communication
• Public relations
• Technology

Training in strategic leadership can significantly drive innovative progress for managers in various for-profit sectors. With a graduate certificate in this field, students have access to elevated salary potential for even entry-level management positions.

Internships & Work Experience

Professional Development Experiences

While taking flexible online courses, students pursuing the Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate can immediately apply the advanced skills they learn, with a sounding board of peers in various disciplines. In addition, students can explore the Career Development Center to gain real-world learning opportunities, such as short-term internships.

Mentorship & Community

Learn From Engaged Practitioner Faculty

The professors you’ll learn from have either transitioned from established careers across business sectors or still engage with their practice while teaching courses online and in person. Leveraging their personal network and York College’s collaborative partnerships with community organizations, faculty facilitate many opportunities for graduate certificate students.

Networking and Community Hubs

From the J.D. Brown Center for Entrepreneurship to the Graham Center for Collaborative Innovation, York College business students and faculty regularly collaborate and network with local industry and corporate leaders to build and develop business initiatives.

Explore opportunities to advance community progress, meet innovators in strategic management, and get to know Graham School of Business facilities.

High-Demand Skills

Build and Expand Leadership and Management Skills

The one-year Strategic Leadership and Management Certificate program offers students the ability to hone and practice skills, including:

• Development of long-term goals and objectives to drive organizational direction
• Coordination of complex projects within budget and schedule
• Communicating innovative visions persuasively and motivating others
• Effective management through transitions, conflicts, and other obstacles
• Design and implementation of data-driven marketing campaigns that align with organizational strategy

Related Graduate Certificates and Degree Programs

The Graham School of Business collaborates with regional partners and leverages faculty expertise to offer graduate students a range of specialized disciplines in business. Students can also stack eligible certificate credits toward our master’s programs.

Explore related graduate certificates in business:

• Business Analytics and Big Data Certificate
• Risk Management Certificate

And our full business master’s programs:

• Master of Arts in Strategic Leadership and Management
• Master of Business Administration

Frequently Asked Questions

What is strategic leadership?

Strategic leadership involves analyzing internal and external factors and then setting a visionary course to gain a competitive advantage. It means assessing team capabilities and industry trends to determine needed changes. For professionals, exercising strategic leadership includes identifying new initiatives to best position their department or organization for the future.

What can you do with a leadership certificate?

A leadership certificate equips professionals with strategic management capabilities to take on greater responsibilities in their current roles or pivot into new leadership positions. The skills developed can lead to career advancement in areas like operations, project management, decision-making, HR, budget oversight, and organizational change management.

Is leadership and management the same thing?

Leadership focuses more on rallying people behind a vision through motivation and influence. Management emphasizes operational execution — planning logistics, monitoring budgets, and organizing teams to accomplish goals. While complementary, leadership drives innovation and change, and management promotes stability and order. Professionals with both strong leadership and management abilities are assets to any organization.

Strategic Leadership and Management Courses

Your class schedule will include a series of core courses related to your field and taught by faculty experts.

Course Name | Course Code | Credits

• Strategic Media Communication | IMC 520 | 3 Credits
• Strategic Marketing | MBA 531 | 3 Credits
• Foundations of Leadership | ML 510 | 3 Credits
• Complex Organizations | ML 550 | 3 Credits