Organizational Leadership, Graduate Certificate

Purdue University
Organizational Leadership, Graduate-Level Certificate
Department of Organizational Leadership  
College of Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science

Neff Hall 288 ~ 260-481-6496  

Gordon Schmidt, Chair
Kimberly O’Connor, Graduate Program Director

The Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership is based on the core of the Organizational Leadership master’s degree program. The courses combine theory and practice to yield a combination that is immediately applicable to the workplace and builds a foundation for more specialized study for those interested in advanced work.

The organizational leadership graduate certificate is designed for:

• those with advanced degrees in other fields or students currently enrolled in other graduate programs seeking to augment their studies in the theory and practice of leadership and/or human resources.

• working adults with bachelor’s degrees who want advanced knowledge and skills in leadership and human resources, but are not prepared to commit to a master’s degree program.

The certificate allows students to begin graduate level study with a specific goal without requiring the commitment of time and financial resources necessary to pursue master’s level study. It includes much of the foundational coursework required for the master’s degree in OL, and provides the option to continue for a master’s, using up to 12 credit hours earned as a graduate certificate student. 

Through the required courses, students in the OL graduate certificate program will develop their abilities to:

• identify ways to assess and enhance organizational climate and culture
• understand the complexity and interrelated nature of organizational phenomena
• identify practices that promote teamwork as well as personal and organizational effectiveness

Admission Requirements

In addition to admission requirements for OL graduate study, these guidelines apply for the Organizational Leadership certificate:

• Students who are currently admitted to any Purdue University graduate degree program at PFW are eligible to earn the certificate if they are approved for admission to the program through the Department of Organizational Leadership.
• Students who are not currently admitted to the Purdue Graduate School must apply for admission in the Department of Organizational Leadership.
• Students already enrolled in the OL master’s degree program are not eligible for the certificate. Students who initially enroll in the certificate program may apply for the OL master’s near completion of the certificate requirements or after the certificate has been granted. A maximum of 12 credit hours earned in the certificate may be applied to a master’s degree.
• Students may take a maximum of six OL graduate credit hours prior to admission to the certificate program that may be counted toward completion of the certificate.
• If approved by the OL Graduate Admissions Committee, a maximum of three graduate-level transfer credits may be applied to the requirements for the certificate.

 For further information, contact Kimberly O’Connor, Organizational Leadership Graduate Program Director, phone: 260-481-6496.