The Community College
Leadership Certificate
What is the Community College Leadership Certificate?
The Community College Leadership Certificate (CCLC) is comprised of three components. The university component includes a set of five courses that develop the knowledge and capabilities for effective leadership of the community college. The five courses are designed individually and collectively to cover the key areas of knowledge and skills needed to lead community colleges in a rapidly changing environment. While addressing a broad range of capabilities, we believe that leadership cannot be developed based on what can be learned in college courses alone. The second component includes involvement in professional associations related to the community college. As part of the certificate experience, we encourage and expect CCLC participants to continue their learning through opportunities for further development afforded by membership in professional networks and associations or by participation in institutional- or community-based leadership initiatives. The final component involves institutional support to develop leaders. We encourage and expect CCLC participants to have an institutional sponsor or mentor, and individual with whom they can discuss aspects from both the UNL coursework and the professional development activity as they pertain to the employing institution. The Certificate will be awarded only to those individuals who successfully complete each of the three components as agreed upon with their advisor and reflected in the culminating university course.
Who Should Consider Taking the Community College Leadership Certificate?
The program has the potential to serve a variety of people interested in leadership roles in community colleges. The program can serve those who are just beginning their career in community college administration as well as those who are in leadership positions and need or desire additional preparation.
Course Requirements
The Community College Leadership Certificate requires 15 credit hours. Participants must complete the following five, 3-credit courses in the Department of Educational Administration (EDAD) after admission to the program.
- EDAD 910 – The Higher Education Environment
- EDAD 923 – The Community College
- EDAD 890 – Workforce, Economic, and Community Development
- EDAD 893 – Teaching and Learning in the Community College
- EDAD 966 – Community College Leadership
The program allows participants to complete the courses in three or four semesters (12 to 18 months). Students may begin the program in any semester. Sample programs are illustrated below:
| Fall Semester Start: | |
| Fall Semester – EDAD 893, EDAD 910 | |
| Spring Semester – EDAD 890, EDAD 966 | |
| Summer Semester – EDAD 923 | |
| Spring Semester Start: | |
| Spring Semester – EDAD 923, EDAD 890 | |
| Fall Semester – EDAD 893, EDAD 910 | |
| Spring Semester – EDAD 966 | |
| Summer Semester Start: | |
| Summer Semester – EDAD 923 | |
| Fall Semester – EDAD 893, EDAD 910 | |
| Spring Semester – EDAD 890, EDAD 966 | |
EDAD 910 or EDAD 923 should be completed during the initial semester of enrollment. It is recommended that EDAD 966 be the final course in the program.
Currently, the Department offers two of the courses required for the Certificate in the Fall semester and two of the courses required for the Certificate in the Spring semester. At least one course required for the Certificate will be offered during the Summer semester.
Professional Development and Institutional Sponsorship Requirements
In addition to the required courses, CCLC participants are also required to complete a professional development activity and demonstrate institutional support for their leadership aspirations.
Completion of the professional development requirement can be demonstrated in a number of ways. Many institutions and states now have “grow your own” leadership programs. In a number of communities there are leadership programs sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce or some other entity. Numerous community college organizations and associations have professional development seminars or institutes—too many for us to name them all. Each CCLC participant will be assigned an advisor and in consultation with the advisor a professional development activity will be agreed upon.
Demonstration of institutional support can also occur through a variety of means. Having an institutional sponsor, a person who the CCLC participant can discuss assignments from the UNL courses and the professional development participation is considered a minimum. An institutional mentor, going beyond a sponsor to include discussions of how the CCLC participant can further their leadership development, allowing the CCLC participant to shadow them in their leadership roles, or providing opportunities for the CCLC participant to gain administrative and leadership experience is preferred. In consultation with the advisor, the CCLC participant and the sponsor/mentor will develop strategies and activities to fulfill this requirement.
As part of EDAD 966—Community College Leadership, each CCLC participant will provide evidence that they have completed the professional development and institutional sponsorship requirements.
In order to be awarded the certificate, participants must complete each of the three required components.
The Certificate and Graduate Degrees at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Students who complete the Certificate and subsequently apply for and are admitted to a Master’s or Doctoral degree program may request that the credit hours completed in the Certificate program be accepted in a graduate program of study. Acceptance of the credits earned in the Certificate program requires Office of Graduate Studies and supervisory committee approval and is not guaranteed.
On-Line Delivery and Computer Requirements
The courses required for the Community College Leadership Certificate are delivered on-line using the Blackboard delivery platform. Participants can complete all required course work on the computer from a location of their choice. Participants should have adequate computer hardware and software as well as high-speed Internet connection. If you have questions about computer systems or software requirements, please contact the UNL Helpdesk at 1-866-472-3970 or helpdesk@unl.edu.
The fee structure for the 2007-08 academic year is as follows:
Programs |
Out-of-State Tuition |
Distance Ed. Fee |
Registration Fee |
Tech Fee |
Library Fee |
Total Cost |
Community College Leadership Certificate |
$421.25 |
$25.00 per credit hour |
$20.00 per semester |
$7.00 per credit hour |
$2.00 per credit hour |
|
Example: |
$1263.75 |
$75.00 |
$20.00 |
$21.00 |
$7.00 |
$1385.75 |
Applying for the Community College Leadership Certificate Program
Application to the program is made in two parts: (a) application to UNL Graduate Studies and (b) application to the Certificate program. For complete application instructions, see the web site at http://cehs.unl.edu/edad/. Follow the link entitled "Application Packet".
To Obtain More Information
Go to the Educational Administration website: http://cehs.unl.edu/edad/
Contact: Sheila Hayes, (402) 472-3729 or edadgradsec@unl.edu
