Leadership Graduate Certificate

When you study Leadership at RWU, you aren’t just investing in your communication, negotiation and accountability skills. Our Leadership students go on to create high-performance organizations that use creativity, innovation, and improvisation to adapt to the new challenges of our globalized, technological 21st century world. The dynamic leadership techniques and methods you learn through this program can help any organization succeed.

Format

Hybrid (Providence)

Synchronous online

Schedule

Evenings meeting every other week

Credits Required

15

Time Commitment

two semesters 

Cost

Summer 2025, Fall 2025, and Spring 2026
$780/credit

Fees

2025-2026 Academic Year
$165/semester (part-time students)
$145/semester (online students)

Ways to Save

15% discount for first responders, active duty military, and veterans

Apply By

Fall: March 1 (Priority), April 1 (Regular), August 15 (Final)

Spring: November 1 (Priority), December 15 (Regular), January 6 (Final)

Summer: March 1 (Priority), April 1 (Regular), April 15 (Final)

The Graduate Certificate in Leadership is designed for students interested in exploring principles in leadership through a short course of study. Students earn the certificate after completion of five graduate courses in Leadership. 

The program is designed to prepare students to address the challenges that organizations are likely to face in the globalized, technological world of the 21st Century. Students have the opportunity to explore the following leadership skills: 

  • Communication skills; conflict resolution and negotiation
  • Management skills; accountability and organizational performance
  • Inclusive excellence
  • Strategic leadership
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Some Employers of our Leadership Graduates

  • Brown University
  • CBS Boston WBZ TV/WSBK TV
  • Citizens Bank
  • College Crusade of Rhode Island
  • Hopkinton (MA) Police
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • United Way of Rhode Island
  • U.S. Navy
  • Women's Fund of Rhode Island

The RWU Leadership program is a co-sponsor of the Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference in conjunction with the Master of Public Administration program and RIASPA, the Rhode Island Chapter of the . 

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Leadership Graduate Certificate program, applicants must hold an earned Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.  

To apply, submit the following:

  1. Completed application form and $50 application fee. An application fee is not required for RWU students.
  2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework. The Office of Graduate Admission will obtain transcripts on behalf of RWU students.
  3. Letter of Intent (two double-spaced pages maximum) describing your interest in the program, relevant past experiences, and career goals.
  4. If your first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results

The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is not required for admission. Applicants with an overall GPA below 3.0 are strongly encouraged to take either the GRE or MAT.International applicants should also read additional requirements for non-U.S. residents.

Each application will be reviewed using a portfolio approach - all parts of the application will be considered, inclusive of grades and trend of grades, letters of recommendation, the letter of intent, and other information that candidates for admission may wish to submit.

Where appropriate, documents should be submitted via email to gradadmit@rwu.edu. Any official documents that must be mailed (i.e. transcripts) should be sent directly to:

Office of Graduate Admission
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809

Have questions about the application process? Visit the from the Office of Graduate Admission.

Headshot of Kelly Nevins

Leadership in Action for Women's Rights

Kelly Nevins, RWU Class of 2015
Leadership Graduate Certificate

Kelly Nevins '15 uses her leadership skills to work toward gender equity through systemic change in Rhode Island.

Read full story

Tuition Discounts for First Responders, Active Duty Military, and Veterans

If you are a first responder (police/fire/EMS), active duty U.S. service member, or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you qualify for a 15 percent tuition discount on graduate programs in the School of Justices Studies.