Military to Civilian Leadership Certificate
Turn your military leadership into civilian impact.
You led teams, solved problems under pressure, and delivered results when it mattered the most. Now it's time to apply those same leadership strengths to your next opportunity in government, business, nonprofit, or community leadership.
Join a cohort of veterans and military-connected professionals who want to turn their leadership experience into civilian impact. This one semester certificate program helps participants strengthen their leadership skills, learn from each other, and gain practical tools to lead civilian organizations and advance their careers.
Apply by Veterans Day, November 11, 2026, for classes that start January 11, 2027.
Program Highlights:
Designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree who are veterans, reservists, family members using VA education benefits, and individuals who work with veterans.
This program is designed for professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree who want to translate military experience into civilian success.
Eligible applicants include:
- Military veterans
- National Guard and Reserve members
- Military spouses and family members using VA education benefits
- Employees of military and veteran service organizations
- Public, nonprofit, and private-sector professionals who work with veterans
The full cost of the program can be covered using VA education benefits (contact the OSU Military and Veteran Services team for assistance).
The estimated cost of the program is approximately $5,578 (subject to the university's tuition and fee schedule).
Program costs cover:
- Enrollment as a graduate non-degree student at The Ohio State University
- One semester of coursework
- Five in-person learning sessions
- Six graduate credit hours (equivalent to two graduate courses)
- Access to a statewide network of military-connected professionals and leaders
In addition to VA education benefits, financial assistance may be available through employer education benefits (contact your HR professional for more information).
The certificate program is offered during the Spring Semester.
It includes five in-person sessions that meet 1:30 PM - 4:30 PM EST on Friday:
- January 29
- February 26
- March 12
- April 2
- April 23
In addition to in-person classes, participants should plan for 10-15 hours outside of class to complete readings and assignments.
The program culminates in a graduation ceremony, with participants welcome to invite family, friends, and workplace colleagues to celebrate their accomplishment.
In-person classes and the graduation ceremony will be held in Columbus, Ohio on the Ohio State campus or at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum.
This program is specifically designed to help veterans and military-connected professionals translate the leadership experience they gained in service into meaningful civilian impact.
Participants develop practical skills in:
Leading People
- Employee motivation
- Feedback and performance management
- Building high-performing teams
Leading Through Change
- Organizational change leadership
- Influencing without authority
- Managing uncertainty and complexity
Leading During Challenges
- Negotiation and conflict resolution
- Crisis leadership
- Ethical decision-making
Leading Yourself
- Leadership self-awareness
- Professional presence
Career positioning and advancement
Learning is reinforced through a capstone project that helps participants apply concepts to real-world leadership challenges.
The Military to Civilian Leadership Certificate is a collaboration of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs. The program was launched with generous support from the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation.
This class taught me how to navigate my new corporate landscape and how to best apply the leadership skills I honed in the military to this new world.