Leadership & Communication, Certificate
Whether you’re seeking to position yourself for advancement or enhance your abilities in your current role, the online Certificate in Leadership and Communication can help you take your career to the next level. Ideal for working adults, each course introduces a set of professional skills, communication strategies, and critical thinking skills that will help you leverage your strengths to become a more effective leader in any field. In addition to detailed one-on-one feedback from instructors tailored to your personal goals, leadership and communication courses offer the opportunity to learn from other students who bring a wide range of professional experience and skills to the classroom.
The Certificate in Leadership and Communication was designed in partnership with Civic, a Washington, DC-based organization that partners with institutions in a variety of sectors to develop new policy initiatives.
Leadership and Communication Certificate Requirements
- The Certificate in Leadership and Communication is a 5-course, 5 c.u. credit program of study taught by University of Pennsylvania faculty.
- To earn the certificate, students complete a total of five online leadership and communication courses and maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA).
- Students who complete the basic certificate may pursue an Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Communication (7-course, 7 c.u.) by adding two additional leadership and communication courses, as listed below.
Flexible Course Schedule
Penn LPS Online courses in the Certificate in Leadership and Communication are offered on an accelerated (8-week) schedule. While most courses provide original lectures and materials you can engage with online on your own schedule, some courses in this certificate program require a weekly synchronous session. All Penn LPS Online courses are taught at the undergraduate level by Penn instructors.
You have the option to enroll in individual leadership and communication courses without committing to the entire online certificate, enjoying the flexibility and expertise offered by Penn LPS Online to suit your schedule and interests.
Read more about the Certificate in Leadership and Communication.
The Certificate in Leadership and Communication prepares you to:
- Identify, develop and apply distinctive leadership traits and skills
- Develop strategies and skills to persuade specific audiences through verbal, visual, and written communication
- Practice and apply critical thinking skills in the classroom and beyond
- Understand and apply insights from empirical research in economics, psychology, and other social sciences
- Explore competing schools of thought about leadership ethics
- Develop a five-year leadership plan tailored to your professional strengths and goals
- Learn how to use quantitative data in decision-making and problem-solving
Curriculum
Certificate students must complete a total of five courses to earn the Certificate in Leadership and Communication:
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership and Communication Certificate | ||
| LEAD 1010 | Leadership Theory, Practice and Purpose (the prerequisite for all other LEAD courses) | 1 |
| LEAD 1040 | Professional Communication and Personal Development | 1 |
| LEAD 2020 | Leadership Lessons from Social Sciences | 1 |
| LEAD 2030 | Leadership Lessons from Humanities | 1 |
| Plus, one of the following courses: | 1 | |
| Introduction to Data Analytics | ||
| Mathematical Foundations for Data Analytics | ||
| Mathematics All Around You | ||
| Introduction to Applied Statistics | ||
| Total Course Units | 5 | |
Courses are subject to change.
Advanced Certificate
To earn the Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Communication, students must successfully complete seven courses listed below -- including the 5 courses in the basic certificate and a choice of two additional courses -- and maintain a 3.0 overall grade point average (GPA).
| Code | Title | Course Units |
|---|---|---|
| To earn an Advanced Certificate in Leadership and Communication, students must also complete two of these courses: | 2 | |
| Leadership and Public Administration | ||
| Leadership and Business Organization | ||
| Leadership and Nonprofit Management | ||
The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2025 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.