University of Colorado Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

The Center for NEW DIRECTIONS in Politics and Public Policy offers a formally transcripted undergraduate certificate in Community Leadership to meet the needs of individuals in formal public and nonprofit positions that require development of their leadership competencies and for individuals in informal community leadership positions who want to build their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness.  The certificate is open to nondegree seeking students (without an undergraduate degree) as well as undergraduates.

This certificate will help human resources directors and other leaders in local governments and nonprofit organizations who are seeking additional leadership development for the department heads and other individuals they want to groom for succession to leadership, while also allowing community leaders opportunities to learn ways to enhance their leadership skills.  The certificate can also serve as a re-entry point for individuals who have been away from higher education for some time and who are fearful of returning to college to complete their BA degree program when their study skills may have faded. 

Students who successfully complete the certificate program would be allowed to transfer in the credits received in the certificate program to complete their undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Denver.  Undergraduate student transfer of credits would follow completion of the formal application for admission and follow the established review for acceptance of transfer credit.

Admissions:

Individuals who are not currently admitted students seeking the undergraduate Community Leadership Certificate would use the “quick admit” feature online or the extended studies admissions form previously developed by the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Students requesting admission to the undergraduate program at UCD would need to complete the application for admissions and be formally admitted by the University prior to requesting transfer of their certificate credits for their degree program. The Community Leadership Certificate is also available as a stand-alone University certificate for individuals who do not desire to pursue further higher education coursework.

Currently admitted undergraduates should schedule certificate advising appointments with the NEW DIRECTIONS office to register their intent to pursue the Community Leadership Certificate.  Then they may register for classes as usual.

Certificate Requirements:

12 credit hours must be successfully completed with a grade of B- or better.  All courses are currently offered in the extended studies format at the University Center at Chaparral.

Required Courses:

• PSCI 4324:       Politics, Public Policy, and Leadership
• PSCI 4644:       Ethical Responsibilities of Leaders

Elective Options:

• PSCI 4274:       Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building

                 or

• PSCI 4414:       Organizational Change Agents

                and

• PSCI 4374:       Public Priorities for the 21st Century

                  or 

• PSCI 4084:       Local Government and Administration

**Please note, the required courses will be offered every year.  Some combination of the elective courses will be provided each year to assure sufficient choice for certificate completion in that year.

Individuals pursuing this undergraduate certificate will take their classes through the Center for NEW DIRECTIONS’ extended studies program offered at the University Center at Chaparral or through the same on-campus political science courses.

Also note, these courses do not have prerequisites.  The target audiences, outside the current University student body, are local government elected officials, public employees, and community/nonprofit leaders who have not completed their undergraduate degrees.  The expectation is that these individuals will have significant experience in local government, nonprofit, or community leadership that will prepare them sufficiently to handle 4000 course work in their area of expertise, i.e., leadership and local government or nonprofit/community leadership.  The goal is to encourage them to come back to school to pursue further education. 

As a part of the advising process, prospective students with little or no undergraduate experience, little or no work experience, and weak writing skills will be advised that pursuing this certificate is likely to be unsuccessful.

Expectations

• This certificate could be completed in one year or less.[†]
• This certificate would serve as an outreach tool and re-entry point to bring people back to the University who have been away from higher education for some period of time.
• This certificate would help meets of needs of local governments and nonprofit organizations who are grooming some of their more entry level and middle management employees for future leadership positions in their organizations.
• This certificate would be valuable to informal community leaders who want to enhance/further develop their leadership skills.