Online Graduate Certificate in Leadership

New certificate program coming soon! Wayne State’s Certificate of Advanced Studies in Leadership is designed for professionals preparing for leadership roles or looking to elevate their current impact.

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Program Overview
How to apply
Program Courses

 

Advance your career in business leadership.

Develop the advanced interpersonal and strategic skills needed to lead effectively in today’s complex, fast-moving business world.

Affordable tuition

Affordable
Among the lowest tuition cost per credit hour in the U.S.

Obtainable degree

Attainable
No entrance exams. All bachelor's degrees accepted.

Fully online

Flexible
100% fully online with several start dates available.

High quality program

High quality
Courses from our accredited online MBA program, nationally ranked for excellence.

Online Graduate Certificate of Advanced Studies in Leadership

Great leaders don’t just manage - they motivate, resolve conflict, drive change, and bring out the best in their teams.

Through courses in managing organizational behavior, dispute resolution, leading human capital, and a capstone leadership seminar, you’ll gain practical tools to build high-performing teams, navigate organizational challenges, and influence outcomes with confidence and clarity. This certificate is ideal for professionals preparing for leadership roles or looking to elevate their current impact.

With employment in management occupations projected to grow by 5.4% through 2032 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), leadership expertise is in demand across industries - from corporate to nonprofit to government sectors.

Built from the leadership focus area of Wayne State’s MBA program, this certificate also provides a direct pathway to earning your MBA - making it a smart step toward long-term career growth.

Program courses

Fast facts

Delivery format: Fully online

Total classes: 4

Total credit hours: 12

Classes start: Aug. 18, 2025

Admission information

Enrollment opens this summer!

This is a new program for our Fall 2025 semester, with classes starting on Aug. 18. Enrollment into the program will be available later this summer - please check back here soon for information on how to apply when it becomes available.

For more information, or to be notified when the enrollment opens, please contact Logan Hardy with the School of Business and Technology, at [email protected] or 402-375-7558.

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Courses for the Leadership Certificate

The Certificate of Advanced Studies in Leadership consists of four courses (12 credit hours) from Wayne State's online MBA in Leadership. Upon completion, you’ll have the option to seamlessly continue into the full MBA program by completing the core business curriculum. Please note: A bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in the graduate certificate.

  • Credit hours: 3

    Description: This course integrates concepts from organizational development, systems dynamics, and management to oversee organizational change. Included will be concepts from demographic, technology, diversity, political and social arenas.

  • Credits: 3

    Description: This course is designed to give students an overview of alternative dispute resolution. Students will explore negotiations, a process that helps individuals and organizations settle disputes. Students will examine their personal style of management and their unique approach to conflict. This course uses case studies, simulations and role-playing to explore concepts of interests, collaboration, mediation, and nonverbal communications. Students will grow in their ability to anticipate the needs of their audience.

  • Course description coming soon...

  • Credits: 3

    Description: This course provides students with context and background for the consideration of leadership from multiple perspectives. The course explores leadership theory and practice. Special emphasis is placed on the translation of theory into practice. The evolution of leadership thought, situational leadership, and the future of leadership are also explored

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