Organizational Leadership: Professional Certification or Advanced Certification
Learn to lead at the next level with a leadership certificate.
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Help Your Team Reach Their Potential
Become the leader organizations need by earning a Professional Certification or Advanced Certification in Organizational Leadership from the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine. This online certification program can be completed in just 4-6 months.
You’ll not only learn strategy and organizational structure, but also how to work with teams, lead change, enhance performance, overcome obstacles, create a healthy culture, inspire followers, and engage in difficult conversation while maintaining positive alliances.
Online and On Campus
Study online, and complete a residency on campus.
12-18 units and a 4-Day Residency
Attend in-person trainings with Dr. Townsend.
$715/Unit
Financial aid is available to those who qualify.
“The faculty…had so much passion and so much energy for developing us. I was already sold on the program, but they just tipped the scales for me. It was the best decision that I’ve made.”
George Ellis ’17 – PCG Basketball
Getting Started
Choose to earn your Professional Certification or Advanced Certification for Organizational Leadership. The 12-credit Professional Certification will take about 7 months, and the 18-credit Advanced Certificate should take about 11 months. You’ll take one 7-week course at a time, and learning activities may involve 10-14 hours each week. Should you wish to continue your education, the coursework can apply to the corresponding master’s degree at the Townsend Institute. While courses for the Concordia certificate can be taken online, a residency will be held in person.
Next Start
August 24, 2026
Upcoming Starts
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Fall 1 2026 August 31, 2026
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Fall 2 2026 October 26, 2026
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Spring 1 & Full 2027 January 11, 2027
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Spring 2 2027 March 15, 2027
Curriculum
Complete ALL of the following Courses:
- ORGL599 – Townsend Institute Residency
- ORGL600 – Townsend Institute Orientation
- ORGL601 – Leadership Theory and Character Development
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for a full list of courses.
With an organizational leadership certificate, you can develop your effectiveness in two arenas:
- Competence, requiring you to increase your skills, strengths, and expertise
- Character, which uses your internal abilities that drive your level of competence
Residency
There is great value in frequent, real-time interaction with fellow students and your instructors. That’s why our graduate programs launch with a 4-Day Residency where you will meet Dr. Townsend personally as he and our Institute Fellows conduct a series of training sessions. You will also go through 8 process-focused growth groups that are truly transformative. Learn more about the 4-day Residency by registering for an online Townsend LIVE info night.
Tuition and Fees
At Concordia, we understand that investing in your education is a significant decision. That’s why we offer a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make your academic journey more affordable. View tuition costs and fees.
Admission Requirements
View the Concordia University Irvine Online Catalog for full details on application and admission requirements.
Career Outcomes
More qualified leaders are needed in the workforce, and leadership positions will continue to grow, and many roles could see faster-than-average growth from 2023 to 20331:
- Management occupations: 7%
- General and operations managers: 6%
- Top executives: 6%
- Chief executives: 5%
Explore Financial Aid
Reduce your tuition costs with financial aid — with help from a team that wants to make your time at Concordia as affordable as possible.
Meet Our Faculty
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Michelle Thompson
Assistant Dean – Executive Coaching & Consulting and External Relations
FAQs
What is a certificate in organizational leadership?
An organizational leadership certificate gives you the knowledge and skills you need to lead teams, manage organizations, and drive decision-making. The certificate programs at Concordia allow you to accomplish this so you can grow within your organization or become a wanted resource in the job market.
What is the best leadership qualification?
Top qualities in a leader usually include traits like communication, confidence, drive, vision, and more. These are just some of the topics you’ll go over when you take the courses in Concordia’s organizational leadership program.
Is a certificate in organizational leadership worth it?
If your career goals involve serving in a leadership role, then this certificate would definitely be worth it. At Concordia, you could take courses in topics like organizational culture, leading change, conflict management, servant leadership, and more. You’ll get the choice to take two or four electives, depending on the level of certificate you enroll in. That means you can be in classes that best match your career goals.
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Sources
1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, on the internet, at:
- https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/top-executives.htm (viewed Dec. 19, 2024).
Cited projections may not reflect local and/or short-term economic or job conditions and do not guarantee actual job growth.