Leadership is one of the most observed and least understood phenomena on earth.
James MacGregor Burns (1978)
Despite the fact that leadership has been studied for centuries, effective leadership remains elusive for many organizations. A recent survey by Zippia found that while 83% of organizations believe it’s important to develop leaders at every level of the company, only 5% of businesses have implemented leadership development at all levels. As industries grow more complex and the demand for strong leadership intensifies, there is a clear need for focused training that goes beyond theoretical concepts.
"Leadership science has evolved," said Kai Degner, Senior Director, Professional Certificates, UVA School of Continuing and Professional Studies, explaining that recent theories suggest leadership is a process and that communication and solutions are responsibilities shared by everyone in an organization. "When you rethink leadership in this way," he said, "leadership opportunities exist at every level. Everyone from the intern all the way to the CEO can contribute to the process."
Gaining a foundation in leadership and management theory and understanding how you can apply this knowledge to your current role can help you advance as a leader in today’s business environment, and instill in you a sense of confidence and purpose.
Why is a leadership certificate relevant today?
Leadership is relevant in every sector of society and the economy. It is at the core of what makes teams and organizations succeed. With today’s business environment in a state of constant flux due to factors like new technologies, diverse teams, the rise in remote work and evolving employee motivations, strong leadership is especially necessary right now. In light of all of these changes, leaders play a critical role in guiding organizations through the unpredictability and helping teams adjust to new situations.
Despite the shift in our workforce, the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) reports that fewer than half of companies invest in cross-skilling and upskilling their leaders, and a mere 31% participate in leadership development programs to unearth potential leaders within their workforce.
Change is happening fast, and many companies don’t have multiple layers of management expertise to deal with such issues as fast-emerging competition, globalization, technological advances and shifting business models. These factors are all contributing to the anxiety-filled, complex world in which company leaders must manage.
Dori Meinert, Society for Human Resource Management
Closing the leadership gap
Although the need for strong leadership is evident in our current environment, 77% of organizations report they are currently experiencing a leadership gap.* The leadership gap refers to the growing disconnect between the leadership skills organizations need and the abilities that many professionals currently possess. As industries evolve, the demand for effective leaders who can navigate complexity, inspire teams and drive change has never been higher. However, many organizations struggle to find individuals with the right mix of strategic thinking, emotional intelligence and practical leadership capabilities. Graduate leadership certificates offer high-impact learning experiences that equip professionals with the skills and confidence to fill this gap and thrive in leadership positions.
At least 50% of the skills leaders need today are skills they don’t yet have. And the other 50% are skills that were always needed, but are now required at much higher levels.
Advance your career with a certificate in leadership
UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies offers an online certificate in leadership designed to be beneficial to you regardless of your industry or position. We welcome students from organizations in the private, nonprofit and government sectors. Whether you are brand new to your job, looking to advance your career or find yourself in a management role with no formal training, we all face challenges that require a solid understanding of leadership strategies.
What will I learn?
UVA’s online leadership certificate curriculum is based on organizational leadership, team and community development and financial management. To help you build fundamental leadership skills, the certificate program includes discussion and coursework related to topical challenges facing leaders today, including:
Organizational Leadership
- Innovation and change management
- Organizational dynamics
- Crisis management
Team and Community Development
- Managing efficiently and effectively
- Ethical challenges
- Balancing stakeholders’ competing priorities
- Role of power and influence in organizations
Financial Management
- Reporting revenue, costs, cash flow, assets, liability, and equity
- Budgeting
- Financial decision making
Develop your personal leadership style
In tandem with your study of leadership theory, you will develop your own leadership style by learning a variety of practical leadership skills including goal setting, conflict resolution, persuasion, strategic planning, team management, ethical reasoning and project management.
I felt more empowered by what I was learning. I started to understand my leadership style, the value I can bring to the table, and how I can continue to evolve as a leader.
Sumner Menchero, UVA Leadership Certificate Program Participant
How will this certificate help me succeed?
UVA’s online leadership certificate will build your confidence to contribute at your own organization. You will grow your professional network and benefit from the different perspectives of your diverse cohort. Regardless of your phase of career, you will gain a deeper understanding of how leadership extends beyond the typical organizational hierarchy and applies to every role:
- New members of the workforce learn how to be good team members, facilitate creativity, identify and solve problems and prepare themselves for future leadership roles.
- Early to mid-career leaders gain confidence and clarity on leadership theories and learn how to effectively lead teams.
- Senior executives get the opportunity to apply theory to current situations and learn how to develop leaders at their own organizations.
- All students earn a certificate in management theory from an esteemed institution, demonstrating your commitment to your employer.
Designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice, UVA’s online leadership certificate program equips you with the tools, skills and insights needed to navigate today’s challenges and drive meaningful change. Through real-world project work, your learning connects to on-the-job issues that you may face every day. For example, students facilitate multiple team meetings designed to practice handling tension and conflict in the workplace. You also have the opportunity to select an in-depth project that applies to your organization’s specific challenges.
I apply the knowledge I gained virtually every day. One of the great things about the program was the way professors encouraged you to research and write papers on topics that were relevant to your job or workplace.
Tim Nicely, Leadership Certificate Program Participant
What makes UVA's leadership certificate stand out?
UVA's online leadership certificate is unique because students learn leadership theories and skills, while they work on developing their own personal leadership style – offering a blend of professional and personal development opportunities. Our program looks at leadership through the lens of shared organizational responsibility, broadening your perspective on what leadership is and what it can be. Professors are experts in their field and ensure that curriculum is up to date and coincides with the latest research, technology (including artificial intelligence) and emerging issues in the field of leadership.
UVA’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies believes in providing higher education that is achievable, affordable and accessible. The leadership certificate typically takes four semesters to complete, requiring significantly less time and financial investment than graduate degree programs, while offering you the choice and flexibility to tailor your program to meet your needs. Two of your courses in the program can be electives from our other certificate programs (such as Cybersecurity, Project Management, Human Resources, and many more), allowing you to customize your educational experience to meet the needs of your role and your industry.
Ready to get started? Learn more about UVA’s Graduate Leadership Certificate.
*Latest Corporate Crisis: Only 11% of Surveyed Companies Have a Strong Leadership Bench, by Edward Segal, May 19, 2021, and “Leadership Transitions Report 2021,” Development Dimensions International, Inc., 2021.