Psychology of Leadership Foundations Graduate Certificate

Person-in-ChargeKristin Buss
Program CodePSLDRF
Campus(es)World Campus

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 was designed for anyone who wishes to earn a credential that could be applied toward the MPS in Psychology of Leadership in the future.  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.

Effective Semester: Fall 2023
Expiration Semester: Fall 2028

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.

  • 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

Certificate Requirements

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

The certificate requires three courses, taken in this order:
Knowledge Foundations
PSY 532Psychological Foundations of Leadership3
PSY 539Foundations of Behavior, Motivation, and Attitudes at Work3
Skills and Applications
PSY 818Leadership Assessment and Development3
Total Credits9

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.