Leadership Certificate for Public and Nonprofit Professionals
Deepen your self-awareness about leadership and how to lead others.
Gain practical skills to lead others, build lasting relationships, and demonstrate the value of your skills to employers. The 12-week, instructor-facilitated program includes courses 100% online (fall) or online and on campus (summer).
Apply by March 20, 2026 for classes that start May 11 and end July 30, 2026, with five classes in-person held on May 22, June 12, June 26, July 10, July 30.
Program Highlights:
Built for mid-career professionals with at least a bachelor’s degree.
Deepen your self-awareness about leadership and how to lead others
Build lasting relationships with other public and nonprofit professionals
Earn six hours of graduate credit from Ohio State
- $5,275 (Fall 2025). $5,416 (Summer 2026). These costs are subject to change based on Ohio State graduate tuition and fees.
- Includes enrollment as a graduate non-degree student at Ohio State and credits can be applied to a degree at Ohio State or another university.
- Financial assistance may be available through your employer, for example through State of Ohio Employee Development Funds or Ohio State Faculty and Staff Tuition Assistance.
- 12-week program online with five days instructor-led on Zoom (fall) or on campus (summer).
- Public and nonprofit employees with at least a bachelor’s or equivalent degree are eligible to apply.
- Applicants will receive an email letting them know if their application has been accepted.
- We do our best to accommodate everyone who wants to participate but the program is competitive.
- Orientation and Course Objectives
- Leadership in Public and Nonprofit Organizations (facilitated)
- Human Resource Management, Recruitment, Retention, and Employee Motivation
- Performance Appraisal and Feedback
- Negotiation and Conflict Resolution (facilitated)
- Work Life Balance and Diversity and Inclusion
- Designing and Leading High Performing Teams
- Leading Without and With Authority (facilitated)
- Unlocking the Subtle Forces of Change (facilitated)
- Leading in Times of Crisis
- Decision Making Under Uncertainty and Ethical Leadership
- Capstone and Wrap Up (facilitated)
This was a rewarding journey and I am grateful for being a part of this program.