2020-2021

Higher Education Leadership, Graduate Certificate

Department of Educational Leadership

College of Education

The Higher Education Leadership Certificate prepares students from all academic disciplines, professions and career levels to work in a rapidly changing and diverse higher education environment. The certificate helps to prepare students for opportunities ranging from entry level administrators such as Coordinators, Assistant Directors to mid-level administrators such as an Assistant Vice President, Department Chair, or an Associate Dean in community colleges, colleges, universities or affiliated business/industries, institutes, governmental agencies and private organizations. Students will gain an overview and understanding of common leadership and assessment theories, principles, and skills involved in the development of higher education administrators through online coursework and either an approved on-site internship or through an online internship which involves the use of case studies.

Certificate completers will have an understanding of common leadership and assessment higher education theories, principles, and skills to identify academic, workforce, and social needs; formulate ideas and action through reflection and collaboration; and be able to assess their leadership role and impact when leading diverse individuals and groups through new initiatives and institutional change.
 

 

This plan will not be available to new students after Summer 2023

    • Graduate certificate programs require a minimum of 12 credit hours. Many graduate certificate programs require more than 12 credit hours.
    • No more than one 400-level NAU course (3 - 4 units) may be used on a graduate certificate program.
    • No more than twenty-five percent of the units required for the certificate program may be transferred from another university.
    • A 400-level course (undergraduate course) completed at another university is not eligible for transfer credit.
    • A minimum grade point average of 3.0 must be achieved to obtain a graduate certificate. No more than three units of coursework with a Grade of "C" may be used in a certificate program.
    • A graduate student may pursue a graduate certificate concurrently with a graduate degree. Each graduate degree program must decide which, if any, certificate courses can be counted toward the graduate degree.
    • Students who are admitted to a graduate certificate program will be eligible for the official posting of the graduate certificate to their transcripts when all applicable coursework has been successfully completed and approved by the academic unit and the Graduate College.
  • Please be aware that federal financial aid is not available for some certificates, if the certificate is pursued and completed as a stand-alone certificate (i.e., not completed concurrently with a degree program).  See the “Details” tab for additional information.

In addition to University Requirements:

  • Complete individual plan requirements.

Students may be able to use some courses to meet more than one requirement. Contact your advisor for details.

Minimum Units for Completion 12
Additional Admission Requirements

Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.
Fieldwork Experience/Internship Fieldwork Experience/Internship is required.
Some online/blended coursework Required

Purpose Statement

The Higher Education Leadership Certificate prepares students from all academic disciplines, professions and career levels to work in a rapidly changing and diverse higher education environment. The certificate helps to prepare students for opportunities ranging from entry level administrators such as Coordinators, Assistant Directors to mid-level administrators such as an Assistant Vice President, Department Chair, or an Associate Dean in community colleges, colleges, universities or affiliated business/industries, institutes, governmental agencies and private organizations. Students will gain an overview and understanding of common leadership and assessment theories, principles, and skills involved in the development of higher education administrators through online coursework and either an approved on-site internship or through an online internship which involves the use of case studies.

Certificate completers will have an understanding of common leadership and assessment higher education theories, principles, and skills to identify academic, workforce, and social needs; formulate ideas and action through reflection and collaboration; and be able to assess their leadership role and impact when leading diverse individuals and groups through new initiatives and institutional change.

Student Learning Outcomes

  1. Synthesize current literature on leadership theories, principles, and skills and apply concepts to higher education policies and practices.
  2. Document and share measures of institutional accountability and effectiveness used to meet program reviews, accreditation standards, and institutional initiatives.
  3. Design and lead inclusive programs and environments that facilitate intergroup understanding and respect for people to self-identify, express lived and professional experiences and histories, and offer diverse perspectives in order to advance change.
  4. Recognize and advocate individual, group, and organizational opportunities to transform the academic community through the identification and resolution of pressing institutional and social challenges.
  5. Develop the contexts and conditions that provide accessible post-secondary education to broad populations, communities and the workforce.

Additional Admission Requirements

  • Individual program admission requirements over and above admission to NAU are required.

  • The NAU graduate online application is required for all programs. Admission to many graduate programs is on a competitive basis, and programs may have higher standards than those established by the Graduate College.

    Admission requirements include the following:

    • Transcripts.
    • Undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale ("A" = 4.0), or the equivalent.


    Visit the NAU Graduate Admissions website for additional information about graduate school application deadlines, eligibility for study, and admissions policies.

    Ready to apply? Begin your application now.

    International applicants have additional admission requirements. Please see the International Graduate Admissions Policy.

    • There are no individual admission requirements.

  • This certificate may be pursued and completed concurrently with a degree program or as a stand-alone certificate. Federal financial aid cannot be used if the certificate is completed as a stand-alone certificate.

  • Be aware that some courses may have prerequisites that you must also successfully complete. For prerequisite information, click on the course or see your advisor.