Spring term 2 begins. Apply by Feb. 19.
Summer term 1 begins. Apply by April 23, 2026.
Summer term 2 begins. Apply by June 18, 2026.
Explore Organizational Leadership
Change management has become an important skill of leaders in every organization. Establish yourself as an effective leader, able to lead change in organizations and coaching diverse people to work toward a common goal, through a professional development with an online leadership certificate.
This graduate certificate in organizational leadership can be taken as a stand-alone program, or can be embedded in Champlain's online MBA program.
Build Your Career Future
In today's businesses and organizations, employers are seeking leaders who can champion change, inspire teams, and cultivate a culture of emotional intelligence.
A graduate certificate in leadership is a great way to highlight leadership development and showcase subject matter expertise, as well as gain knowledge that can be applied to your workplace from day one.
Note: All certificates, undergraduate and graduate, must be submitted individually to the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) for review and approval before students can utilize Federal aid to pay for them. This certificate is awaiting approval, which we expect shortly. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact your enrollment coach or email us at onlineadmissions@champlain.edu
Program Curriculum
Learn more about Champlain's 100% online graduate certificate in leadership, designed for working professionals.
Champlain's online leadership courses encompass the top skills needed by today's business leaders.
Explore the formal and informal communication strategies that help leaders influence beyond their formal authority. Topics will include how to have generative conversations, communication tactics for engaging stakeholders, cross cultural communications, managing conflict, building impactful narratives that engage and inspire, and the impact of technology on communication in today's organizations.
Examine how to cultivate meaningful relationships across an organizational system, from co-workers, to team members, to broader stakeholders. Attention will be given to how to leverage both formal and informal relationships to create positive impact. Topics include perceptions, motivation, emotional intelligence, building teams, and conflict management.
Explore how to accelerate organizational change by focusing on and leveraging the core strengths of individuals and the collective system. Learn how to challenge the traditional deficit mindset that pervades organizations, and how to use evidence-based appreciative practices to cultivate shared leadership across a system.
Additional Program Details
Graduates of the leadership online graduate certificate program will demonstrate the following industry-specific skills, knowledge, and competencies:
- Apply diverse communication strategies, articulate technology's role in communication, and craft narratives to manage conflicts and engage stakeholders.
- Navigate and leverage organizational relationships by identifying interpersonal dynamics, evaluating their leadership roles within teams, and adopting behaviors that enhance both personal and group interactions.
- Apply a strengths-based and collective approach to leadership, utilizing tools to identify and magnify organizational strengths, and design transformative processes that foster distributed leadership and drive change.
- Apply effective leadership approaches to foster adaptive, innovative, and collaborative organizational cultures that promote positive relationships among stakeholders.
Our admissions team seeks to admit students who:
- Hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution.
- Demonstrate a solid academic foundation - a minimum 2.5 GPA is our recommendation, though exceptions may be made on a case-by-case basis for those who demonstrate a potential for academic success in other ways.
- Possess an aptitude for success in an online learning environment.
- Exhibit the ability to make a positive contribution to the Champlain College Online community.
- The GMAT and/or GRE are NOT required for admission into a Champlain online graduate program.
To learn more about submitting transcripts, or requirements for those educated abroad or returning students visit our graduate Admissions page.
Our transfer credit evaluation team works hard to ensure you get the transfer credits you deserve, from a variety of sources including prior college credits, work experience and training, military training and experience, and more. Our goal is to help you graduate from Champlain College Online as quickly and affordably as possible. Visit our Transfer Credit Options page to learn more.
Champlain College Online's business faculty, led by Program Director Dr. Elaine Young, are expert practitioners in the field. Their industry expertise ensures that our leadership curriculum is aligned with the needs of employers, and reflects the skills today’s business professionals need for success. Classes led by our seasoned experts will give you real-world insight into the field and create a rich community of career-focused learning.
Tuition & Costs
Graduate Tuition Fall '25 - Summer '26
Tuition & Costs
Graduate Tuition Fall '26 - Summer '27
See the graduate cost of attendance and fees here
* Alumni is defined, for this tuition rate, as any degree program graduate from Champlain College or Champlain College Online.
** Veteran rate effective Spring 2025, not retroactive
Affordability and Paying For Your Education
We provide a number of options to make your online education affordable, including preferred tuition for alumni, associate degree graduates, community college graduates, and military.
Accomplish More with a Graduate Certificate in Leadership
Business and financial occupations are expected to grow 8% from 2020 to 2030 - faster than the average growth for all fields - as a result of an increasingly complex global business landscape. The median annual wage for these roles is $72,250.*
A specialized certificate can help you build new skills, differentiate your resume, and demonstrate your value as an employee in your current organization.
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 2020
Top Reasons to Earn a Graduate Certificate
- Build new skills
- Earn a recognized credential
- Differentiate your resume
- Pursue a passion
- Test a new field
Why Champlain
Champlain Community
"I hadn't attended college in 40 years, and I was afraid I couldn't use a computer well enough to do an online degree. But somebody at Champlain was always there to help - I'd just call and say, 'I don't know how to do this,' and they'd teach me."
Academic Excellence and Recognition
Regionally accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education
Designated as a Military Friendly School for our commitment to the military community
Ranked among the best by Tech Guide for game design and computer science
Named the among the best schools with accelerated bachelor's degrees by Intelligent.com
Meet the Program Director
Elaine Young, PhD
- Accounting (Certificates, A.S., B.S., M.S.)
- Analytics (Certificates, M.S. Programs)
- Business (Certificates, A.S.,B.S.,MBA)
- Digital Marketing (B.S.)
- Digital Marketing and Technology (M.S.)
- Digital Media (B.S.)
- Esports Management (B.S.)
- Finance (Certificates, A.S., B.S.)
- Healthcare (all programs)
- Human Resource Management
- Leadership (Organizational and Digital Transformation)
- Management Information Systems
- Marketing (M.S.)
- Marketing Analytics (M.S.)
- Marketing & Communication (B.S.)
- Marketing Management (B.S.)
- Positive Organization Development Certificate
- Positive Organizational Psychology & Development
- Project Management
- Public Administration
About
Dr. Elaine Young is the Program Director for all business programs, and Curriculum Innovation Faculty Lead, at Champlain College Online.
As chair, Dr. Young manages the faculty, curriculum, and assessment for undergraduate and graduate programs in the business programs as well as developing and teaching courses. As Curriculum Innovation Faculty Lead, Dr. Young supports creation of new curriculum offerings that serve both the needs of adults continuing their education and employers who need educational opportunities for their employees. Prior to her leadership role at Champlain College Online, Dr. Young has been part of the Champlain College community since 2000 as a professor and faculty advisor for traditional on-campus students. She is a HubSpot Educator and a Certified Appreciative Advisor.
Dr. Young has a Ph.D. in Organizational Management from Capella University, where her dissertation research examined technology use and adoption of college students. In addition, she holds an M.S. in Internet Strategy Management from Marlboro College, a B.S. in Communication and Public Relations from SUNY Brockport and an A.S. in Communication from Genesee Community College. Dr. Young has over ten years of experience in the Marketing and Public Affairs profession, specializing in nonprofits. She is the author of “Tuned-in Family: How to Cope, Communicate and Connect in a Digital World” (2014).
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about the leadership graduate certificate through some of our frequently asked questions.
Yes, it can be taken as a standalone program or embedded within Champlain’s online MBA with a leadership specialization.
Graduates can pursue roles as security analysts, information security specialists, or cybersecurity consultants.
The program focuses on skills such as strategic thinking, communication, team collaboration, and change management.
Champlain College Online provides comprehensive support services, including academic advising, career resources, technical support, access to the virtual library, and an alumni network. If you have any questions, please contact your academic advisor.
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Get Your Graduate Certificate in Organizational Leadership Guide
Learn what you can expect from your online graduate certificate at Champlain College Online
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