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Learn2Lead

East Tennessee State University

Graduate Certificate in Community Leadership

The Graduate Certificate in Community Leadership is for students who have completed a bachelor's degree. To enroll in this Learn2Lead graduate program, admissions application and materials for the ETSU School of Graduate Studies can be found here.

Program Purpose

Community Leadership is a four-course graduate program that provides key leadership skills and credentials for those working in any field including government, civic, health care, nonprofit, education, financial, small business. The certificate is especially designed for those who are in or seeking to become a director, division leader, team leader, or community organizer.

As a graduate program, your instructor will teach, coach, and provide learning experiences for you. Assessment is centered on the integration of content knowledge and analysis with application of skills.

Course Delivery

As graduate students and working adults, we recognize the importance of quality and convenience in choosing an institutional learning partner. Graduate leadership courses use an online delivery with occasional synchronous Web-ex or free conference call-in meetings. Most content can be presented online. However, some assignments and learning experiences require group interaction and feedback in real time. In addition, the ability to connect “in person” with the instructor brings added value to the leadership coaching relationship.

The Certificate in Community Leadership provides:
  • A practical application of leadership skills you can use in the workplace immediately
  • Coaching and collegial interaction among students and faculty
  • Organizational observations of best practices
  • Interactive case studies that challenge and engage 
  • A four-course curriculum designed to elevate supervisory skills, lead teams, manage resources, and create and enhance community partnerships.
  • A program to develop skills and provide immediate application to real world work situations.
  • Skills and behavior coaching by faculty for students to be seen as a collaborators and problem-solvers. 
  • Credentials to jump-start your next promotion or job search.
  • An intensive dive into the best practices of such topics as accountability, team development, mission, vision, strategic planning, financial resources, collaborating for sustained change.

Course Requirements

LEAD 5501 Strategies for Personal Productivity and Interpersonal Effectiveness

A study of self-management, personal leadership growth, dialogue analysis, empathic listening, conflict resolution, trust building, & emotional intelligence 

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LEAD 5601 Foundations for 21st Century Leadership

A study of team building, team leadership, & organizational systems, including the alignment of mission, vision, & goals as community leadership best practices

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LEAD 5701 Financial Leadership and Resource Development

A study of financial & resource management of community organizations, to include: monitoring, audits, fundraising, & grant management

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LEAD 5801 Empowerment, Collaboration, and Advocacy for Change

A capstone study of community leadership as a collaborative team engaged in an organizational change initiative

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