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Leadership Formation, Certificate

Take the next step with a customized Certificate of Leadership Formation, where you can study essential business skills from negotiating to managing diversity.

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About this Program

The Leadership Formation Certificate program is carefully designed to teach you practical leadership skills. It covers effective leadership behaviors that empower professionals to lead effectively and motivate others at all levels of an organization. By fostering a culture of shared commitment, mutual support, and productive collaboration, these leadership skills create an environment that attracts, retains, and motivates highly skilled and creative talent.

Learning Competencies

Once you complete this program, you’ll be able to:

  • Show a mastery of leadership and teamwork concepts
  • Exhibit professional integrity, ethical leadership and effective collaboration skills
  • Demonstrate effectiveness in oral and written communication in individual and team presentations

Transition to Semester Calendar

Begin your graduate program on the quarter system before Summer 2027 and continue your studies as Seattle University transitions to a semester calendar. The university is planning for a smooth transition so you can stay on track toward your degree. Learn more about the Graduate Programs Move to Semesters.

No Application Fee

We are committed to removing barriers to graduate education by waiving the application fee for all applicants.

Certificate Requirements

This certificate requires 9 semester/15 quarter credits to complete.

Quarters: Explore the 2026–27 course catalog to see what you may study as part of your degree. 

Semesters: Course offerings will evolve as we transition to a semester calendar. See the list of courses for this program starting Fall 2027.

Required courses
MGMT 5305: Foundations of Leadership Formation (3)

Electives
Two management electives (3 each)

Course titles and numbers are subject to change as the semester curriculum is finalized. Course content will remain unchanged.

 

Leadership Skills for People-Focused Roles

The skills this certificate builds, from leading and motivating teams to communicating and collaborating across an organization, carry into any role where you manage or develop people.

Graduates can use it to grow into roles in training and development, human resources, program management and general management.

Powered by Lightcast Data , this information draws on millions of job postings, career profiles and other data collected each day to deliver near–real-time insights into workforce trends. Occupations listed are generic outcomes associated with the field, and salary figures reflect median earnings for the career listed, not necessarily those of individuals who have recently graduated.

Earn Your Certificate of Leadership Formation Today

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What to Know Before Applying

  • Apply for the certificate program as a regular student via our Application page. 
  • After being accepted, you must complete the onboarding process, including a meeting with your advisor. Then you may start the next available term. 
  • Speak to your adviser to add a certificate to your studies if you’re a current student. 
  • The length of your program depends on your course load and when classes are offered. Not every class is offered every year or term. Ask your adviser for more information and an up-to-date course schedule.

Get in Touch

Get in-depth, personalized program information from an expert. Share your career goals and decide on next steps with our specialized admissions team.

Carolyn Auvil

Senior Graduate Student Recruitment Specialist

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Move to Semesters FAQ

Answers to common questions about how Seattle University's move from quarters to semesters in Summer 2027 affects the Leadership Formation, Certificate, including credit requirements for current and new students.

The quarter-based Leadership Formation, Certificate requires 15 quarter credits. Current students receive an individual plan for completing the program through the transition.

The Leadership Formation, Certificate requires 9 semester credits for students who begin in Summer 2027 or later, when Seattle University launches its semester calendar.

The Leadership Formation, Certificate moves to semesters with the rest of Seattle University in Summer 2027, the first term of the 2027–2028 academic year.

Semester courses run longer than quarter courses, so fewer credits are needed. The content and learning outcomes of the Leadership Formation, Certificate remain comparable.