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Leadership Graduate Certificate

About the Leadership Graduate Certificate

When you study Leadership at RWU, you aren’t just investing in your communication, negotiation and accountability skills. Our Leadership students go on to create high-performance organizations that use creativity, innovation, and improvisation to adapt to the new challenges of our globalized, technological 21st century world. The dynamic leadership techniques and methods you learn through this program can help any organization succeed.

Leadership Program Facts

Format

Hybrid (Providence)

Synchronous online

Schedule

Evenings meeting every other week

Credits Required

15

Time Commitment

two semesters 

Cost

2026-2027 Academic Year
$780 per credit

Fees

2026-2027 Academic Year
$165 per semester (part-time students)
$145 per semester (online students)

Apply By

Fall: March 1 (priority), June 15 (regular), August 1 (final) 

Spring: November 1 (priority), December 15 (regular), January 6 (final) 

Summer: March 1 (regular), April 1 (final)

Leadership Curriculum Overview

The Graduate Certificate in Leadership is designed for students interested in exploring principles in leadership through a short course of study. Students earn the certificate after completion of five graduate courses in Leadership. 

The program is designed to prepare students to address the challenges that organizations are likely to face in the globalized, technological world of the 21st Century. Students have the opportunity to explore the following leadership skills: 

  • Communication skills; conflict resolution and negotiation
  • Management skills; accountability and organizational performance
  • Inclusive excellence
  • Strategic leadership

Leadership Degree Requirements

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Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference

The RWU Leadership program is a co-sponsor of the Annual Public Service and Leadership Conference in conjunction with the Master of Public Administration program and RIASPA, the Rhode Island Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration

Application Requirements

Application Process

To be considered for admission to the Leadership Graduate Certificate program, applicants must hold an earned Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited college or university.

Each application will be reviewed using a portfolio approach - all parts of the application will be considered, inclusive of grades and trend of grades, letters of recommendation, the letter of intent, and other information that candidates for admission may wish to submit.

Application Materials

1. Completed application form and $55 application fee
An application fee is not required for RWU students.

2. Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate coursework
The Office of Graduate Admission will obtain transcripts on behalf of RWU students.

3. Letter of Intent (no more than two double-spaced pages) describing your interest in the Leadership Graduate Certificate Program, career goals, and how you can positively contribute to the graduate program at Roger Williams University

Uploading Materials

Once an applicant has submitted the application form they will have access to a portal to upload all supplemental materials (transcript copies, letter of intent, portfolio, resume, etc.)

Alternatively, documents can be submitted via email to gradadmit@rwu.edu

Any official documents that must be mailed (i.e. transcripts) should be sent directly to:
Office of Graduate Admission
1 Old Ferry Rd.
Bristol, RI 02809

International Applicants

International applicants are required to submit an external transcript evaluation.  If your first language is not English, an official report of TOEFL or IELTS results is also required to apply to graduate programs.

International applicants should read additional requirements for non-U.S. residents using the link below.

Employment of our Leadership Graduates

RWU Leadership graduates have gone onto successful careers at:

  • Brown University
  • CBS Boston WBZ TV/WSBK TV
  • Citizens Bank
  • College Crusade of Rhode Island
  • Hopkinton (MA) Police
  • Johnson & Wales University
  • United Way of Rhode Island
  • U.S. Navy
  • Women's Fund of Rhode Island
Headshot of Kelly Nevins

Leadership in Action for Women's Rights

Kelly Nevins, RWU Class of 2015
Leadership Graduate Certificate

Kelly Nevins '15 uses her leadership skills to work toward gender equity through systemic change in Rhode Island.

Read full story

Tuition Discounts for First Responders, Active Duty Military, and Veterans

If you are a first responder (police/fire/EMS), active duty U.S. service member, or a veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, you qualify for a 20 percent tuition discount on graduate programs in the School of Justices Studies. 

Contact Us

Katrina Norvell, Ph.D.