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A GVSU student at Asian Student Orientation.

Leadership

Undergraduate Certificate

Allendale • Face to face • Hybrid • Online (?) • 12 Credits

Employers want people who can problem solve, think critically, and work as part of a team. A certificate in leadership from Grand Valley State University develops these skills, enhancing your major degree of study and preparing you for your future career.

Overview

Grand Valley's Leadership Undergraduate Certificate is designed to develop essential leadership skills that are highly valued by employers. This program focuses on social change, business communication, organizational theory, team building, design thinking, and grant writing. The certificate can be completed in one year or less and is available in various formats, including fully online, making it accessible and flexible for students.

Students must complete core classes on collaborative communication and leadership for social change, and select two additional courses from options such as creativity, design thinking to meet real-world needs, communication ethics, team building, organizational theory and dynamics, and business communication. This diverse range of courses ensures a comprehensive exploration of leadership topics and skills.

This leadership certificate teaches valuable team building, ethics, and communication skills. The program's faculty and support staff offer direct, practical guidance to ensure students thrive, and the flexibility of completing the program online allows students to balance their studies with other commitments. Certificates are a fantastic way to enhance your workforce profile.

Admission Information

For new students, visit the Admissions website for undergraduate requirements. Upon acceptance and for current students:

  • Declare your certificate via myBanner (Login to Banner Self-Service, click on Student, Student Records, Add a Certificate or Badge to your Program, Select the appropriate certificate from the drop down list, and click Submit)
  • Speak with the appropriate certificate coordinator to ensure criteria are being met (you will be able to track your progress toward the certificate in myPath as well!)
  • Once you are done with the requirements, apply to receive the certificate via myBanner.
  • Once the completion of your certificate has been verified, the certificate will be posted to your student record and will be viewable on your transcript.

School of Interdisciplinary Studies

Leadership Program
gvsu.edu/leadershipcert
229 Lake Ontario Hall
(616) 331-8229
[email protected]

Admissions and Recruitment Office

gvsu.edu/admissions

 

Career Opportunities

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

Top skills
  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 81,030.62 10%
$101,336.66 25%
$130,858.64 50%
$169,408.55 75%
$222,169.23 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 69,906.76 10%
$ 96,381.34 25%
$128,078.06 50%
$168,891.08 75%
$217,573.29 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 72,969.08 10%
$ 86,121.85 25%
$106,572.51 50%
$142,328.21 75%
$179,378.03 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 64,338.78 10%
$ 80,967.80 25%
$105,087.86 50%
$128,193.41 75%
$158,592.96 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 55,098.93 10%
$ 72,761.90 25%
$ 93,882.53 50%
$133,548.24 75%
$190,030.16 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate human resources activities and staff of an organization.

Top skills
  • Management of Personnel Resources
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Judgment and Decision Making
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 82,962.01 10%
$104,894.42 25%
$139,134.47 50%
$189,463.23 75%
$297,402.58 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate marketing policies and programs, such as determining the demand for products and services offered by a firm and its competitors, and identify potential customers. Develop pricing strategies with the goal of maximizing the firm's profits or share of the market while ensuring the firm's customers are satisfied. Oversee product development or monitor trends that indicate the need for new products and services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Critical Thinking
  • Active Learning
  • Speaking
  • Active Listening
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 77,737.98 10%
$106,258.46 25%
$154,503.61 50%
$204,649.55 75%
$311,375.25 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate activities to solicit and maintain funds for special projects or nonprofit organizations.

Top skills
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 73,415.29 10%
$ 92,597.60 25%
$123,219.62 50%
$166,377.68 75%
$216,706.50 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate one or more administrative services of an organization, such as records and information management, mail distribution, and other office support services.

Top skills
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Active Listening
  • Time Management
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 64,594.80 10%
$ 83,465.32 25%
$108,194.92 50%
$146,964.64 75%
$200,105.12 90%

Plan, direct, or coordinate advertising policies and programs or produce collateral materials, such as posters, contests, coupons, or giveaways, to create extra interest in the purchase of a product or service for a department, an entire organization, or on an account basis.

Top skills
  • Active Listening
  • Speaking
  • Critical Thinking
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Reading Comprehension
Earnings statistics
Annual Earnings Percentile
$ 57,867.41 10%
$ 79,386.67 25%
$119,702.71 50%
$177,332.56 75%
$291,063.17 90%
94%
Graduates Employed
"One of the Top Public Universities in America"
- Niche.com
#1
University in Michigan by Employers

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Page last modified June 10, 2025