Today's dynamic business environment creates a demand for professionals with cutting-edge workforce management skills. When you earn your Graduate Certificate in Leading People & Organizations, you'll learn the foundational principles of developing, managing, and leading high-performance teams and promoting a culture of collaboration in your company.
Graduate Certificate in Leading People & Organizations Program Overview
- Program Structure: 4–5 courses
- Class Schedule: Monday–Thursday evenings at 5:20 p.m. and 7:30 p.m
- Time to Complete: 8 months when studying full-time; 8 months to 3 years when studying part-time
Part-time Graduate Certificate | Typical program timeline
*Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.
Full-time Graduate Certificate for international students | Typical program timeline
*Starts in September or January. May be completed at a flexible pace but is usually completed in three semesters.
Unique Features
145+
countries represented by Northeastern students and faculty
12 or 15
credits may be applied toward a future MBA
Top 50
among national universities (U.S. News & World Report)
2
study options
- Learn best practices for managing a distributed workforce and achieving organizational goals
- Specialize your studies with electives that are relevant to your goals, such as negotiating, workforce metrics, or managing for sustainability
- Build your confidence and experience through applied project work and case studies—key components of Northeastern's practice-oriented approach to learning
- Access expert career guidance from an experienced counselor at Northeastern's office of Employer Engagement and Career Design
- Build the foundation for a future master's degree from Northeastern—you may be able to apply your earned certificate credits toward an eligible master's program
Meet Some of Our Students
Q&A with Colleen Grey, Graduate Certificate in Leading People and Organizations'18
“Systems thinking is a skill that I have appreciated learning about, as it's relevant in any field that has multiple moving parts working toward a common goal.”
Q&A with Duong VU, Graduate Certificate in Leading People and Organizations'17
“My professors are so helpful. Whenever I ask them about business, I am amazed that they have had so much experience and knowledge for me to learn from” says Vu.
Admissions
- English language proficiency: English proficiency, both written and verbal, is necessary for success in D'Amore-McKim classrooms. For more information, review our admissions policies.
- GMAT Required? No.
- Where do I apply? Learn more here.
- Interview required? Upon request.
Helpful Guides
Application Checklist
Need guidance on completing your application? The application checklist provides step-by-step instructions and tips from our admissions team.
Personal Statement Guide
Need guidance in composing the personal statement for your application? The essay guide will help you organize your thoughts and draft your copy.
Full-Time Graduate Certificates (F-1 Visa Compliant)
| Application Deadlines | Decision Notifications | Classes Begin |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 5, 2023 | Rolling Basis | January |
| Nov. 9, 2023* | Rolling Basis | January |
| Dec. 7, 2023 | Rolling Basis | January |
| Feb. 1, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| March 21, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| May 9, 2024** | Rolling Basis | September |
| June 7, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| July 3, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| Aug. 1, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
**May 9, 2024 deadline is the final deadline for international candidates who require a new F-1 or J-1 visa
Part-Time Graduate Certificates
| Application Deadlines | Decision Notifications | Classes Begin |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 4, 2023 | Rolling Basis | January |
| Nov. 9, 2023 | Rolling Basis | January |
| Dec. 7, 2023 | Rolling Basis | January |
| Feb. 1, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| March 21, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| May 9, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| June 7, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| July 3, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
| Aug. 1, 2024 | Rolling Basis | September |
Tuition
Northeastern Student Financial Services publishes the tuition rates for Graduate Certificates. Under the “Graduate Programs” section, the cost per credit appears next to “D'Amore-McKim School of Business Programs.”
Financial Aid
Northeastern offers resources to help you finance your graduate education, and the Student Financial Services team will guide you through your options. Please visit the Graduate Financial Aid page.
Once you are a student, your financial aid advisor will work with you one-on-one to answer your questions, point you to resources and provide valuable insight as you navigate the financial commitments of your program.
Scholarships
Northeastern University has a variety of scholarships. You may qualify for funding support as an alum, U.S. servicemember, or veteran.
Application Fee Waivers
D'Amore-McKim offers application fee waivers to applicants that meet specific criteria. You can review the policy on the Graduate Application FAQ web page.
The D'Amore-McKim School of Business community stands with our university and its leadership in our dedication to cultivating equity and inclusion for all humankind. Understanding and solving our problems requires constant interaction among people who bring their own diverse contexts and experiences to the conversation. Therefore, we must be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community that values the uniqueness of its members, recognizes the power and importance of diversity in our own and surrounding communities, and ensures their engaged participation.
Graduate Student Clubs
There are numerous university-wide and D'Amore-McKim-affiliated student groups that you may wish to join, and several are grounded in building inclusive communities and resiliency. Many of our graduate business students participate in the Graduate Students of Color Collective, Grad Q, and Out in Business.
Campus Resources
Participate in community-building programs, lectures, and events offered by Northeastern's cultural centers representing a range of affiliations and interests including the LGBTQA Resource Center, Latinx Student Cultural Center, Asian American Center, Office of Global Services, and many more.
Curriculum
You can study for your Graduate Certificate in Leading People & Organizations full-time or part-time.
In both formats, you'll be learning from world-renowned faculty—industry leaders, leading consultants, and founders of startups—and you'll study alongside a diverse group of students with a mix of industry and academic backgrounds.
Through core coursework and electives, you'll explore the essentials of developing, managing, and leading high-performance teams. You'll dive into topics such as . . .
- Creating a positive culture
- Influencing workplace behavior
- Maximizing team contributions
- Innovating to accomplish goals
- Building a personal model of leadership
- Measuring performance
Choose your format
Full-time curriculum
Study on our Boston campus and complete the program in eight months. Full-time study is F-1 visa compliant.
The following is a sample curriculum and is subject to change. Enrolled students should reference the academic catalog for current program requirements.
Get in touch
Full-Time & Part-Time advisor
Elizabeth Nersinger
Learn more about campus
Upcoming Future Student Events
2023 Boston Area Diversity Admissions Forum
Learn how the graduate business programs at D'Amore-McKim can further your career goals.
Café Connections in Boston's Financial District
Join us for a casual in-person chat about our graduate business programs over a cup of coffee, on us!
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