Psychology of Team Leadership Graduate Credit Certificate Program

The Psychology of Team Leadership graduate certificate will help students learn the skills needed to motivate and empower others in organizational settings.  Students also will learn how to be effective leaders of or members of teams that can collaborate to achieve common goals.  Lastly, students will learn how to make sound decisions about organizational problems with confidence and without bias.

This certificate is offered as the third in a series of three stackable credentials building toward the MPS in Psychology of Leadership. Students using this stackable plan should complete the Psychology of Leadership Foundations Graduate Credit Certificate followed by the Psychology of Ethical Leadership Graduate Credit Certificate and have entered the degree program before pursing this certificate.

The certificate is also offered as a standalone program and provides 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 become more effective team members; and be competitive for promotions into leadership roles in the future.  It also is intended for those early or midway in their careers who are in leadership roles and aspire to advance further; and are in leadership development, organizational effectiveness, or human resources roles that work directly with leaders and teams.

Courses taken in the certificate program may be applied toward the MPS 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. APPLY/CREATE - Graduates will be able to apply psychological theories to leadership issues and situations.
2. KNOW, COMMUNICATE - Graduates will be able to synthesize theories to communicate a comprehensive understanding of the psychology of leadership.
3. APPLY/CREATE, THINK - Graduates will be able to analyze leadership situations in order to evaluate leader behaviors and predict their effectiveness in self and others.
4. COMMUNICATE, THINK, PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE - Graduates will be able to plan strategies for improving leadership and organizational effectiveness.

Contact