Psychology of Leadership Foundations Graduate Certificate

The Psychology of Leadership Foundations graduate certificate will help students learn the skills needed to motivate and empower others in organizational settings.  Students will learn how to leverage the diversity of individuals' traits, strengths, skills, and abilities to build high-performing organizations.  Students also will set leadership development goals for themselves and create plans for achieving them.

This certificate is offered as stand alone certificate and also as the first of the three stackable certificates building towards the M.P.S. in Psychology of Leadership. Completing it would enable enrollment in the second certificate which is the Psychology of Ethical Leadership. The certificate also would provide a firm foundation with which to enter other programs with a leadership emphasis.  It is intended for those early in their careers who wish to be competitive for promotions into leadership roles in the future; and to analyze their own leadership skills and identify development opportunities.  It also was intended for those early or midway in their careers who are in leadership roles and aspire to advance further; or are in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, or human resources roles that work directly with leaders.

Courses taken in the certificate program may be applied toward the M.P.S. in Psychology of Leadership, subject to restrictions outlined in GCAC-309 Transfer Credit. Certificate students who wish to have certificate courses applied towards the degree must apply and be admitted to the M.P.S. program. Admission to the M.P.S. program is a separate step and is not guaranteed.

Effective Semester: Spring 2024
Expiration Semester: Spring 2029

Admission Requirements

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Applicants apply for admission to the program via the Graduate School application for admission. Requirements listed here are in addition to Graduate Council policies listed under GCAC-300 Admissions Policies. International applicants may be required to satisfy an English proficiency requirement; see GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

• Earned bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
• Undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher
• Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
• At least 2 years of paid, full-time work experience
• Formatted resume’ showing all work experience, education, and other experience
• One letter of recommendation from a professional contact who can speak to the applicant’s leadership and other skills

The language of instruction at Penn State is English. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL/IELTS) may be required for international applicants. See GCAC-305 Admission Requirements for International Students for more information.

Certificate Requirements

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

Requirements listed here are in addition to requirements listed in Graduate Council policy GCAC-212 Postbaccalaureate Credit Certificate Programs.

Courses

Graduate courses carry numbers from 500 to 699 and 800 to 899. Advanced undergraduate courses numbered between 400 and 499 may be used to meet some graduate degree requirements when taken by graduate students. Courses below the 400 level may not. A graduate student may register for or audit these courses in order to make up deficiencies or to fill in gaps in previous education but not to meet requirements for an advanced degree.

Learning Outcomes

1. KNOW - Graduates will be able to explain relevant theories underlying and related to the psychology of leadership. 
2. APPLY/CREATE - Graduates will be able to apply psychological theories to leadership issues and situations. 
3. THINK - Graduates will be able to analyze leadership situations in order to evaluate leader behaviors and predict their effectiveness in self and others.

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