Business Leadership (Certificate Program)

The Business Leadership Certificate program focuses on the application of leadership theory and development, oral and written communication, human capital management and effective team building to meet organizational strategic goals. Upon completion of this program, graduates may enter entry-level positions in business administration. Graduates may also continue their education and transfer courses within the certificate program to associate and/or bachelor’s degree programs such as business management, business administration and human resource management.

Students enrolled in this certificate program are required to follow courses in the sequence set out for the program.

What will I learn?

This program provides a solid foundation on a variety of business principles. You’ll gain skills and strategies for team building, performance development, critical thinking, decision-making and improving communication.

How long is this program?

At 18 credit hours, the online Business Leadership Certificate program is designed to be completed in 8 months. One applicable course is allowed to transfer toward this program, which could reduce your time needed to complete this course.

How much will it cost?

The undergraduate rate is $295 per credit hour – lower if you’re a member of the military, a veteran or part of a military family. Scholarships are also available for those who qualify. This program is not approved for Federal Student Aid (Title IV) educational benefits.

When can I start?

Courses begin monthly. We are ready when you are.

Call us at (888) 947-2684 to learn more about our accredited degree programs, financial assistance opportunities or enrollment process.

Business Leadership (Certificate Program)

Business Leadership Outcomes

At the successful completion of the program, the student should be able to:

  • Compare and contrast leadership theories for application
  • Demonstrate techniques to empower personnel to enhance performance
  • Organize and build effective teams
  • Show ethical behavior in business
  • Illustrate effective verbal and nonverbal communication
  • Identify and analyze the decision and problem solving processes by using critical thinking skills

Core Professional Competencies

University of Arkansas Grantham prepares graduates to succeed in a variety of professional and civic settings. UA Grantham's curriculum incorporates the following critical life skills into the curriculum:

  • Communication – Formulating and expressing thoughts and ideas effectively using oral, written and non-verbal communication skills in person, in writing and in a digital world.
  • Distributed Collaboration – Working effectively across distributed locations and asynchronously to achieve a common goal through relationship-building, shared responsibility, empathy and respect.
  • Professional and Social Responsibilities – Engaging in social responsibility through seeking justice, valuing diversity, respecting the environment; demonstrating professionalism through integrity, mutual accountability and ethical behavior. This includes considering the social and global impact of individual and organizational decisions and an awareness of and adherence to regulations, professional standards and industry best practices.
  • Critical thinking/problem solving – Using analytical reasoning when gathering and evaluating relevant information to effectively formulate possible solutions for an issue, problem or a variety of issues. This includes the ability to recognize potential consequences of a decision.
  • Data Aptitude - Developing information literacy and the capacity to manage data with subsequent finding, structuring, evaluating and interpreting in order to provide meaningful analysis to accomplish a specific purpose.

Business Leadership (Certificate Program)

It’s 100% online business leadership coaching program designed to prepare you for success with professionally-relevant coursework.

PROGRAM SNAPSHOT:
Program Core Credits: 18
Total Credit Hours: 18
Accreditation(s): DEAC
Program Core: 18
Course: Title: Credits:
Course: MGT150 Title: Principles of Business Management Credits: 3
  This introductory course provides students with a practical and concrete explanation of the concepts and techniques they will need as managers in today's new organizations. The sequence of topics follows the familiar pattern of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Throughout the course, the manager's role in leading and accommodating change is emphasized. The course also introduces the student to the issues of managing global businesses, especially the ways in which managers need to develop a global perspective in order to be successful. Issues in strategy, diversity, and entrepreneurship are covered extensively.
Course: ETH301 Title: Business and Society Credits: 3
  This intermediate course is designed to provide the student with a basic understanding of business and how it relates to society as a whole. The major topics include the corporation in society, the business and the social environment, business and the ethical environment, business and government in a global society, the corporation and the natural environment, business and technological change. A systems-thinking approach is central to the course, wherein business, government and society are so closely intertwined that an action that affects one will inevitably affect the others. The corporation's responsibilities to primary and secondary stakeholders, both economic and ethical, are studied in light of various social issues.
Course: BUS303 Title: Business Negotiations Credits: 3
  In this course, students will analyze and evaluate the fundamentals, major concepts and theories of bargaining and negotiation. Case studies will provide an experiential approach to learning the strategies and tactics of negotiation while examining power and emotions in interpersonal conflict and its resolution. International and cross-cultural negotiations and ethical standards will be covered in this course.
Course: MGT468 Title: Organizational Behavior Credits: 3
  This course introduces students to concepts and principles of organizational behavior. Students investigate the impact that individuals, groups, and structures have on behavior within organizations, for the purpose of applying such knowledge toward improving an organization's effectiveness. Topics addressed include motivation, leadership, communications, group structure and process, attitude and values, and the change process.
Course: MGT431 Title: Performance Management Credits: 3
  This course introduces students to the organizational view of performance excellence as reflected by the Malcolm Baldridge Criteria, principles of quality management, and tools and techniques managers use to drive design, control, and improve performance of the firm. Performance management is relevant and important for today’s students and future business leaders, as well as those already in the workforce. Today’s business and nonprofit organizations need to capitalize on the knowledge and lessons learned that excellent organizations have acquired. In this course, students will be able to discover the purpose of performance management as the approach of systems thinking into the process of work improvement in organizations. Topic covered in this course include quality management systems, variations and statistical models for improving quality and performance of the firm, customer and workforce engagement, processes, high performance work culture, and high-performance work systems among others.
Course: MGT461 Title: Leadership in Organizations Credits: 3
  This course presents leadership as a way of acting that involves the influence of people to inspire change toward a mutually desired outcome. Technological advancements and globalization have created a business environment where rapid and constant change is the norm. This course uncovers how effective leaders embrace the inevitability of constant change and diversity, and use their interpersonal skills to promote change, communicate vision, provide a sense of direction and inspire employees.

Prerequisites are not required, though courses must be taken in the order listed above. Up to 3 credit hours may be transferred in.