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 summer classes that start May 11 and end July 31, 2026, with five classes on campus held on May 22, June 5, June 26, July 10, July 31.
Apply by June 30, 2026 for fall classes that start August 31 and end November 16, 2026 with five classes held on Zoom on August 31, September 21, October 12, November 2, and November 16.
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
- $5,416 (Summer 2026). $5,400 (Fall 2026 estimated). 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.