Program Overview

Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Leadership and Management

The Graduate Certificate in Innovation, Leadership and Management is designed for current UNC graduate students, postdocs, and employees, as well as external applicants at the graduate coursework level. This certificate emphasizes innovation and commercialization, workplace leadership, and management principles.

Certificate Features and Requirements

Features

• Skill development in areas highly valued by companies, nonprofits, and government units
• Opportunities to complete work experiences relevant to the needs of employers
• A customizable curriculum that includes six credits of core courses and three credits of electives
• A notation on your transcript once you have successfully completed the certificate

Requirements

The certificate requires completion of 9 credits, divided into three areas: Innovation, Leadership, and Management.

Innovation (3 credits)

• GRAD 717 – Introduction to Entrepreneurship and The Entrepreneurial Mindset: Provides an overview of entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial thinking, including the lean startup methodology.
• GRAD 718 – Start the Startup: Bringing Ideas to Market: Gives graduate students the opportunity to test and validate a new business idea using the Lean Startup methodology.
• GRAD 755 – Fundamentals of Technology Commercialization: Covers the fundamental first steps of technology commercialization, with a specific emphasis on university technology commercialization.

Leadership (3 credits)

• GRAD 712 – Leadership in the Workplace: Examines individual leadership abilities and helps students develop their unique leadership style.
• GRAD 715 – Business Communication: Strengthens communication skills in professional writing, online writing, persuasive communication, and presentations.
• GRAD 725 – Build Your Professional Brand: Develops job search materials and a strong online presence, including a LinkedIn profile, resume/CV, and cover letters.
• GRAD 727 – Team Collaboration: Prepares students to work within multidisciplinary teams and complete real-world projects.

Management (3 credits)

• GRAD 713 – Applied Project Management: Frameworks, Principles and Techniques: Focuses on practical project management principles and techniques.
• GRAD 714 – Introduction to Financial Accounting: Teaches the basics of Financial Accounting, including the Balance Sheet, the Income Statement, and the Statement of Cash Flows.
• GRAD 726 – Executive Perspective: Business Fundamentals: Introduces students to essential workplace topics, including organizational structure and culture, interpersonal skills, and more.
• GRAD 758 – Managing People and Professional Relationships: Prepares students for formal or informal leadership roles, covering topics such as personnel management, difficult conversations, and negotiation.
• GRAD 770 – Executive Perspective: The Digital Revolution and its Impact of Business: Explores the impact of digital technologies on business and leadership.