Who is it for?
The formally-transcripted undergraduate certificate in Community Leadership meets the needs of individuals in:
- public and nonprofit positions
- those who require officially-documented development of their leadership competencies
- those who have been away from higher education for some time
- organization leaders and others being groomed for succession to leadership
- those looking to learn ways to enhance their leadership skills
- individuals in informal community leadership positions who want to build their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness.
The certificate is open to everyone: nondegree seeking students (without an undergraduate degree) as well as undergraduates.
University Admissions
Students requesting admission to the undergraduate program at CU Denver need to complete the application for admissions and be formally admitted by the University prior to requesting transfer of their certificate credits for their degree program.
The Community Leadership Certificate is also available as a stand-alone university certificate for individuals who do not desire to pursue further higher education coursework.
Currently admitted undergraduates should schedule certificate advising appointments with the New Directions office to register their intent to pursue the Community Leadership Certificate. Then they may register for classes as usual.
General Guidelines
We offer a formally transcripted undergraduate certificate in Community Leadership to meet the needs of individuals in formal public and nonprofit positions that require development of their leadership competencies and for individuals in informal community leadership positions who want to build their knowledge, skills, and effectiveness. The certificate is open to nondegree seeking students (without an undergraduate degree) as well as undergraduates.
This certificate aids leadership development for organization leaders and other individuals being groomed for succession to leadership, while also allowing community leaders opportunities to learn ways to enhance their leadership skills. The certificate can also serve as a re-entry point for individuals who have been away from higher education for some time and who are fearful of returning to college to complete their BA degree program when their study skills may have faded.
Students who successfully complete the certificate program would be allowed to transfer in the credits received in the certificate program to complete their undergraduate degree at the University of Colorado Denver. Undergraduate student transfer of credits would follow completion of the formal application for admission and follow the established review for acceptance of transfer credits.
Program Admissions
Students requesting admission to the undergraduate program at CU Denver need to complete the application for admissions and be formally admitted by the University prior to requesting transfer of their certificate credits for their degree program. The Community Leadership Certificate is also available as a stand-alone University certificate for individuals who do not desire to pursue further higher education coursework.
Currently admitted undergraduates should schedule certificate advising appointments with the New Directions office to register their intent to pursue the Community Leadership Certificate. Then they may register for classes as usual.
Certificate Requirements
12 credit hours must be successfully completed with a grade of B- or better. All courses are currently offered in the extended studies format at the University Center at Chaparral.
Required Courses
- PSCI 4324: Politics, Public Policy, and Leadership
- PSCI 4644: Ethical Responsibilities of Leaders
Elective Options
- PSCI 4274: Conflict Resolution and Public Consent Building
Or
- PSCI 4414: Organizational Change Agents and PSCI 4374: Public Priorities for the 21st Century
Or
- PSCI 4084: Local Government and Administration
**Please note, the required courses will be offered every year. Some combination of the elective courses will be provided each year to assure sufficient choice for certificate completion in that year.
Individuals pursuing this undergraduate certificate take their classes through New Directions' extended studies program offered at the CU South Denver campus or through the same on-campus political science courses.