Certificate

Executive Leadership and Governance

Make an impact on your community by effectively leading mission-driven operations. In this graduate certificate program in Executive Leadership and Governance, you'll develop knowledge in board and senior-level leadership, value-centered leadership, strategic planning, and culture development within nonprofit and/or nongovernmental organizations. Learn to better navigate organizational challenges and changes by leveraging tools in leadership, change management, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Certificate of Advanced Study in Executive Leadership and Governance image

At a Glance

Classes Begin
September 11
Format
Evening or Online
Term Length
10 Weeks
Admission
No GRE or GMAT
4 Course Certificate
Tuition
$12,896
Time
As few as 6 months
6 Course Certificate
Tuition
$19,344
Time
As few as 12 months
U.S. News Best Colleges
Top-Ranked University

U.S. News & World Report Rankings
Tracy Joosten
Talk to an Enrollment Manager

Tracy Joosten

Free Application


University College is committed to educational access, and given the difficult circumstances currently impacting millions of people, we are waiving application fees.

Skills You'll Learn


Using leadership skills, strengths, and behaviors, develop sound leadership development plans


Make a positive impact on your organization’s health through evaluation of effective leadership


Assess organizational operations, capacity, governance, and program delivery

Curriculum

Specialized Graduate Certificate in Certificate of Advanced Study in Executive Leadership and Governance requires completion of 16 credit hours (4 courses).

All students are required to complete a zero-credit Student Success Course.

4
Concentration Courses

Sample Schedule

Finish a graduate certificate in as few as six months or take up to a year. Choose your time to completion to get a better sense of what your schedule will look like during your certificate program.

Time to Completion
Year 1 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4
4-Course Certificate Classes 2 2 0 0
6-Course Certificate Classes 3 3 0 0

Interested in a master's degree?


Explore our Master of Science in Nonprofit Leadership with a concentration in Executive Leadership and Governance.

Take a Course Before You Apply


We know how important it is to get started when you're ready and that's why you can enroll in a course before you officially apply.

Career Outcomes

Predicted outcomes for graduates of Executive Leadership and Governance


According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Civil Society Studies (2016), nonprofits are creating jobs three times faster than for-profits and is the third largest industry in the U.S.


The Bureau of Labor Statistics found there were nearly 12.3 million jobs in the nonprofit sector in 2016, which amounts to 10.2% of employment in the United States. The Colorado Nonprofit Economic Impact study found that nonprofits make 11.3% of the states GDP and accounts for over 333,000 jobs.


A report done by the Philanthropy Outlook projects charity giving will grow 3.8% over the next year. This increase of funds will help community service agencies to create new positions.

Job Titles

Nonprofit President
Chief Financial Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Executive Director
Director of Membership
Associate Director

Nonprofit Director Salary: National Average

$69,283
(Glassdoor)

Get Ahead with Career Services


One-on-one career coaching and mock interviews


Job database dedicated to DU students and alumni


Résumé and cover letter guidance

Hear from Our Students

Theme: Job Satisfaction
Flexible Online Classes

Flexible Online Classes

We understand the demands of balancing work, friends and family, and school can be challenging. That's why at University College, you can complete your program entirely online. Our online learning platform makes it easy to work anywhere at any time.

Featured Instructors

Accreditation & Associations

Higher Learning Commission logo
Higher Learning Commission

University College programs maintain the highest level of accreditation offered by The Higher Learning Commission, one of the regional accrediting bodies recognized by the federal government. The University of Denver and all of its academic programs are regionally accredited by this commission, and regional accreditation is the highest standard for universities in the United States.

Colorado Nonprofit Association
Colorado Nonprofit Association

The University of Denver's Nonprofit Leadership program through University College is proud to be a sponsor of the Colorado Nonprofit Association, a valued community partnership for more than a decade.

Nonprofit Academic Centers Council
Nonprofit Academic Centers Council

The Nonprofit Leadership program at DU's University College is a proud member of several leading nonprofit associations, including the Nonprofit Academic Centers Council (NACC).

Take the Next Step