Program Overview

Introduction to the Leadership and Communication Certificate

The online Certificate in Leadership and Communication is designed to help individuals take their career to the next level by introducing a set of professional skills, communication strategies, and critical thinking skills. This certificate program is ideal for working adults and offers the opportunity to learn from other students with a wide range of professional experience and skills.

Program Requirements

• The Certificate in Leadership and Communication is a 5-course, 5 c.u. credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty.
• To earn the certificate, students must complete a total of five online leadership and communication courses and maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA).
• Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Communication (7-course, 7 c.u.) by adding two additional leadership and communication courses.

Flexible Course Schedule

Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Leadership and Communication are offered on an accelerated (8-week) schedule. While most courses provide original lectures and materials that can be engaged with online on your own schedule, some courses in this certificate program require a weekly synchronous session. All Penn LPS Online courses are taught at the undergraduate level by Penn instructors.

Program Outcomes

The Certificate in Leadership and Communication prepares students to:

• Identify, develop, and apply distinctive leadership traits and skills
• Develop strategies and skills to persuade specific audiences through verbal, visual, and written communication
• Practice and apply critical thinking skills in the classroom and beyond
• Understand and apply insights from empirical research in economics, psychology, and other social sciences
• Explore competing schools of thought about leadership ethics
• Develop a five-year leadership plan tailored to professional strengths and goals
• Learn how to use quantitative data in decision-making and problem-solving

Curriculum

Certificate students must complete a total of five courses to earn the Certificate in Leadership and Communication:

• LEAD 1010: Leadership Theory, Practice, and Purpose (the prerequisite for all other LEAD courses)
• LEAD 1040: Professional Communication and Personal Development
• LEAD 2020: Leadership Lessons from Social Sciences
• LEAD 2030: Leadership Lessons from Humanities
• Plus, one of the following courses:
  • DATA 1010: Introduction to Data Analytics
  • MTHS 1000: Mathematical Foundations for Data Analytics
  • MTHS 2000: Mathematics All Around You
  • MTHS 2200: Introduction to Applied Statistics
  • Any course with Attribute = BCLC

Advanced Certificate

To earn the Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Communication, students must successfully complete seven courses, including the 5 courses in the basic certificate and a choice of two additional courses, and maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA). The additional courses include:

• LEAD 3100: Leadership and Public Administration
• LEAD 3200: Leadership and Business Organization
• LEAD 3300: Leadership and Nonprofit Management
• Any course with Attribute = BCLC